David and Ann Wherley Memorialized

WASHINGTON - Flags flew at half staff at the DC National Guard, as friends and family members gathered to remember retired Major General David Wherley and his wife Ann.

"The cracks in my heart fill with the memories of the love you have for each other, a love story so complete. Words cannot express it," said the Wherley's daughter Betsy Regan.

As a couple, David and Ann were inseparable. They were high school sweethearts from York, Pennsylvania. July 19th would have been their 40 year anniversary.

"Everywhere he went, his madam was with him," says his friend Fred Winbush.

"He was devoted to Ann and no other. He protected the nation in its greatest hour of need," said his sister Sarah Wherley.

General Wherley was the Commanding General of the DC National Guard from July 2003 through June 2008.

"A really great leader, really took care of his soldiers really personable, getting involved in things, fixing things that were broke," Lt. Colonel Robert Edgerly recalls.

"Straight shooter, honest, give him a hard days work, he was your best friend, if not he would be the first guy to kick you in the rear," Master Sergeant James Cawley recalls.

"I worked for him for about 4-5 years, he was a great man," said family friend Debbie Cawley.

On June 22, the Wherley's had just finished an orientation for the Walter Reed Volunteer Program.
They jumped on the train as they had done together so many other times. But on this day, their train crashed into another train at the Ft. Totten station.

They did not survive wreck, but family members say their legacy lives on.

"Tonight I shine with the brightness of your love and celebrate your life. We love you and we will miss you forever," says his daughter Betsy.

The Wherley's will be buried together at Arlington National Cemetery Tuesday morning.