美国友人 Iral 追悼会 Iral Barrett Memorial

Today we attended the memorial service (Celebration of Life) for Iral Barrett, There were about 200 attendees, most in their 70s and 80s, and most white. My wife and I went because Iral and Gwen Barrett were my host family 35 years ago. It was the aftermath of the 1989 Tiananmen incident, and the end of my tenure with Willamette University as a visiting scholar. They took me in, providing me with shelter, food, and a car, all for free.

The service was held in Illahe Hills Country Club. Adjacent to the golf courses were high-end residences, among them Iral and Gwen Barrett's (8 bedroom and 6 and a half bathroom) where I lived too. Miss you Iral and Gwen! （Statesman Journal, Iral Barrett obituaries)

今天，我们去参加了一位美国友人（Iral Barrett) 的追悼会。美国的追悼会本名叫“庆生会”，即庆祝死者的光辉的有趣的一生。所以，除了发言者有时情不自禁的喉头的哽噎声，整个气氛都是庄严而快乐的。到会的约200人，大多数是七八十岁的美国白人。我们所以参加，是因为这位友人和夫人是35年前慷慨收容我的美国家庭（host family)。他们当时（1989年）把我从威拉姆特大学公寓接到他们家吃住，还给我一辆汽车开，全部免费。

庆生会在当地高端的高尔夫球俱乐部。而我住过的这位美国友人的豪宅（有八睡房六个半卫生间）就紧贴俱乐部的宽阔的草坪。(本地英文报纸讣告）还有一个颇有美国特色的就是，到会者均被告知：如果送花，请把花款捐赠给当地慈善机构。