Brother Swanson

Merle E. Swanson, aka “Merle the Pearl”
February 18, 1923 – February 26, 2009

Merle’s ancestry is Swedish which he embodied with gusto. Both sets of his grandparents came from Sweden. His mother, Anna, came to the States at the age of 3 and lived to be 96. His father, Mandus, died at the age of 50 when Merle was only 10. Mandus was a cattleman and a farmer; and Anna baby sat, was a maid, and took great care of Merle and his three older brothers; Weir, Russell, and Leslie. They were 12, 9 and 7 years older than baby Merle. Merle was born in Wausa, Nebraska. Merle remembered playing with his brothers and his dog, Fido, on the farm; and adored his mother, who was affectionately known as “Gong-Gong” to Merle’s six children.

Merle received a certificate in High School for typing 85 words per minute for 15 minutes. After high school, he moved to San Francisco with his mom, and later to Santa Monica. He entered the Army during World War II on December 29, 1942, and served with the 381st Infantry in the South Philippines as a Medic, participating in two major campaigns, Leyte and Okinawa. He was awarded the Purple Heart for being shot in the calf while tending to others, a Bronze Star for valor in the line of duty, a Good Conduct Medal, along with three other war medals and two Bronze Battle Stars. He was Honorably Discharged on November 8, 1945. He was only 22 years old.

Merle graduated from UCLA in 1951 with a BS in Business, where he belonged to Sigma Pi Fraternity (Pres., V.P., Rush Chair), the Rugby Team (Cptn. and 3 Yr. Letterman), Rugby Club (Pres.), Gold Key (Similar to national Blue Key for all around excellence), Kelps (Disorganized Organization), Chair of Interfraternity Intermurals, Intermural Athletics, Senior Class Activities Chair, Varsity Club, and was carried through campus on a platform as the King of Men’s Week. He was given a lifetime pass to all UCLA athletics for being an outstanding student-athlete. In fact, Merle helped to recruit Rafer Johnson to enroll at UCLA in 1955. Rafer won the decathlon for the United States in the 1960 Olympics in Rome.

Merle had several jobs before ending his search in the plastering/drywall industry where he remained for about 40 years, working for companies like USG, L.A. Building Materials, Flintkote, and lastly at Hamilton Materials in Orange. Merle was a master salesman, and won several awards for his sales and customer service dedication and hard work. He had many longtime friends in the building industry that he would call on their birthdays, and golf with as often as possible, and relate to in a special way.

Merle married Dolores “Lola” Colligan, on April 20, 1951 in Sierra Madre. Dolores passed away 4 months ago on October 22, 2008. They were married 57 years and had six children (whom all married): Tom (Kathy and son Ricky, and stepdaughters Alicia and Brandi), Rick (children Ian and Becca), Sandy (Mark), Pam (Mike), Doug (Kim and children Sean and Megan), and Becky (Gary). The Swanson family home was located at 220 S. Batavia Street in Orange from 1960 – 2000 and belonged to Holy Family parish where they made lifetime friends. Then they retired to Carlsbad, where they made many new friends and Dolores took care of Merle who was slowing down with many health issues. He loved his “Honey”, his “Lola”; and was genuinely appreciative of her unrelenting efforts to take care of him.

Merle “the Pearl” was how he introduced himself to everybody. He was a big man, and could be intimidating, but was truly gentle and loving. Often forced to be the disciplinarian (for good reason), he loved us and we knew it. And everyone loved Merle, from his customers and co-workers, to his friends, brothers and cousins, his kids and their spouses and friends, his grandchildren, and above all, Lola.

Merle also loved sports and watching his children and grandchildren play sports. In his younger years, he would play golf with his sons and grandchildren. He had season tickets to the Rams, Angels, Ducks, and was a member of the Santa Anita Turf Club, and often went to the races at Del Mar. He always won at the track except when his kids gave him $2 to bet, he never won then.

He would rarely smoke a cigar or a pipe, and didn’t drink much either, but he loved to eat, especially ice cream and peanut M&Ms. He always knew where the best restaurants were located. Merle was extremely smart, and a brilliant mathematician and wordsmith, and often helped us with math homework. He loved crossword puzzles and playing cards, especially with his grandchildren, but didn’t like to lose a card game. Ask him to spell a word backwards and it flew out of his mouth, perfectly.

He was a great dad. He knew what was going on even though we hoped to be getting away with stuff. He would stay up late at night waiting to make sure we got home safely. He would be the last one waving to us whenever we left after visiting. Working tirelessly, he was a great provider. He gave us a beautiful home and a huge backyard where we had lots of parties, sometimes with him, sometimes while he was out of town, sorry. He built us a pool, a hot tub and a big game room in the back yard and gave us the freedom to enjoy it with our family and friends. He would take all of his kids, and many of their friends, to summer vacations at the beach in our old small green trailer, or up to Canada in a motor home. He and mom would let us roam (or get lost) for hours on these fun vacations. While we’d often ignite his Swedish ire, still all of us and our friends loved him dearly.

Merle and his six children sat down together for dinner for the last time at Rick’s house for his 86th birthday party, seven days before he died. We all knew he was not long for this world and were ready for him to be with our mom, his Honey.

Dad, you had a great ride, say hi to mom. We love and miss you dad, grandpa and friend to many.

Flag Folding Ceremony

The flag folding ceremony represents the same religious principles on which our country was originally founded. The portion of the flag denoting honor is the canton of blue containing the stars representing the states our veterans served in uniform. The canton field of blue dresses from left to right and is inverted when draped as a pall on a casket of a veteran who has served our country in uniform.

In the Armed Forces of the United States, at the ceremony of retreat the flag is lowered, folded in a triangle fold and kept under watch throughout the night as a tribute to our nation’s honored dead. The next morning it is brought out and, at the ceremony of reveille, run aloft as a symbol of our belief in the resurrection of the body.

1. The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
2. The second fold is a symbol of our belief in the eternal life.
3. The third fold is made in honor and remembrance of the veteran departing our ranks who gave a portion of life for the defense of our country to attain a peace throughout the world.
4. The fourth fold represents our weaker nature, for as American citizens trusting in God, it is to Him we turn in times of peace as well as in times of war for His divine guidance.
5. The fifth fold is a tribute to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right; but it is still our country, right or wrong.”
6. The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
7. The seventh fold is a tribute to our Armed Forces, for it is through the Armed Forces that we protect our country and our flag against all her enemies, whether they be found within or without the boundaries of our republic.
8. The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered in to the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
9. The ninth fold is a tribute to womanhood; for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
10. The tenth fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since they were first born.
11. The eleventh fold, in the eyes of a Hebrew citizen, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon, and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
12. The twelfth fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.

When the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God we Trust.”
After the flag is completely folded and tucked in, it takes on the appearance of a cocked hat, ever reminding us of the soldiers who served under General George Washington and the sailors and marines who served under Captain John Paul Jones who were followed by their comrades and shipmates in the Armed Forces of the United States, preserving for us the rights, privileges, and freedoms we enjoy today.