Military Funerals

[cardinalkarp]

I wasn't sure if this should go in social or rants/raves as funerals for the most part aren't anything to rave about, but I attended the funeral this morning for a great uncle of mine who was a WWII veteran. It's the first military funeral I've ever attended and while it's simple, watching what they do for our veterans is pretty moving and something that represents the honor we show for our servicemen and women.

For someone who has served in the military, these might be all too commonplace and after watching this I just wanted to voice my appreciation for those who serve our country.

[Radbird]

My aunt was in the WAC during WWII and was laid to rest in Jefferson Barracks. I agree with your sentiments, karp.

[Fat_Bulldog]

I've been to a few military funerals. I agree, they are moving.

[jim]

Agreed. The other thing that I think every American should see is the changing of the guard at Arlington.

[GeddyWrox]

My dad was navy in the early 60s. He was training to be a field medic and most likely would've been one of the first people to touch soil in Vietnam. He had an honorable medical discharge before the war started though. Even though he never saw action, they sent some service members to his funeral to do a 21 gun salute and the whole flag service. Through the whole process of putting him in hospice, getting the call that he was gone, arranging the funeral and speaking at his memorial service, I never lost it. When they brought me and my brother the flag, that's when I broke down. It was incredibly moving. Words can't do it justice.

[cardinalkarp]

My dad was navy in the early 60s. He was training to be a field medic and most likely would've been one of the first people to touch soil in Vietnam. He had an honorable medical discharge before the war started though. Even though he never saw action, they sent some service members to his funeral to do a 21 gun salute and the whole flag service. Through the whole process of putting him in hospice, getting the call that he was gone, arranging the funeral and speaking at his memorial service, I never lost it. When they brought me and my brother the flag, that's when I broke down. It was incredibly moving. Words can't do it justice.

I have no reference to know if what I saw happens the same every time (I'm thinking it does because of the such deliberate actions), but their attention to detail on folding the flag was almost mesmerizing in some weird way.

The service member who handed the flag to his brother (my great uncle was a priest so no next of kin/wife) looked like he was a complete badass back in the day (and still was) and looked to be fairly decorated going by amount of ribbons and the couple Navy Crosses he had (along w/ another medal that I wasn't sure what it was...just looked it up, a Distinguished Flying Cross possibly?).

[IMADreamer]

I used to play taps at military funerals in my town as a youngster. I think now they have someone from the Springfield National Gaurd station do it. They are really a moving site.

[M1IRONMIKE]

Yes they are quite moving...taps and the flag get me every time

[sighyoung]

My father's funeral at Jefferson Barracks was very touching. It was just me and immediate family (my two brothers and my mother), but the precise, dignified ritual of folding the flag and handing it to my mother conveyed--in a way that few other actions could--that he was appreciated and not forgotten. The idea that so much detail and formality was lavished on a common man to honor and value him--it was tremendously moving. Multiply that by the sheer number of funerals for soldiers and veterans--it's remarkable.

[TGantz]

My grandpa was an aeronautical engineer that developed the landing gear on the first F-15's. He and his three brothers all served in WW2. When he passed, my cousin (he was the 3rd of his namesake) had just graduated from West Point and did the flag part for my grandma with tears rushing down. I lost it when taps started.