CAP Talk

...my Uncle's actually.

He served in the Navy from before 1958 through 1963 aboard the U.S.S. Eldorado (AGC-11) as a welder.  The Navy gave him a trade and he became a pipe fitter, ultimately working on Chicago's Deep Tunnel Project. After separation from active duty in 1963, he also served in the reserves for several years.

He talked with respect and longing about his service whenever I saw him, which was not nearly as much as I should have.  The Navy had been a watershed in his life, and was inseparable from who he was as a person.

Much of my attitude of "service before self", and respect for those in uniform comes from him. My father had served in the Army, and he too gained a life-long trade while there, but beyond a few stories and a couple of patches, didn't speak of it much, nor did he push it as an option for me.

My personal angst in this is that I now have an office where he took basic, and I always "meant" to bring him back for a look-see, especially before all the rebuilding.  Intentions become months and years and before you know it, lost opportunity.

He will be interred at Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery in Elwood, IL.  When my aunt and I discussed the arrangements, I asked if the Navy would be represented, and she said yes - I'd never heard of this cemetery (its fairly new, opened in 1999 on the grounds of the Joliet Ammunition Storage Facility), but being a military cemetery I should have known what to expect.

The grounds are beautiful and stark, with the main portion being rolling hills and perfectly straight markers in light gray stone.  The majority of the markers in the front area of the grounds still had the wreaths from "Wreaths Across America" on or in front of them.  (No snow, though, as we are in the middle of a Mid-West heat wave, 64°+ in Illinois in January!)

Further to the rear of the grounds, a wooded area shields the committal shelters from view.  These are beautiful natural-stone curves with the insignia of all 5 combatant branches, in front of a pavilion with a towering pyramid roof.  Along one side is a row of US Flags, and along the sidewalk are the flags of the 5 branches and POW-MIA. 

There are two benches in the center of the pavilion, facing another natural-stone wall on which is mounted a large bronze version of "The Great Seal of the United States of America".

We were greeted by no less than 15 members of the all-volunteer Memorial Squad, veterans in red garrison caps and black sport coats, exhibiting insignia and badges from their various services.

Two stood in receiving guard for the hearse, 7 were were at attention in a rifle line to the left of the pavilion, and the rest stood at attention at the front of the pavilion facing the benches.

As the hearse pulled up, the two at the sidewalk rendered a slow, stiff salute, and held it until the vehicle was parked and the pallbearers (5 including myself) assembled in front to move the flag-draped casket.  I had been doing fairly well at the funeral home, but when I first saw the flag-draped casket, I nearly lost it, and again at the cemetery when they opened the hearse.

We moved with the casket to the area in front of the seal, and then took our seats - all the while as we were coming up the walk the Memorial Squad stood at attention.

From here things were both moving and blurry.  Taps was played, with all at full attention, rendering salutes, a 3-Volley Shot was fired by all 7 rifleman, which echoed (as warned) in the pavilion like a cannon, and then the flag was folded smartly by four of the squad, saluted twice, and then presented, along with 3 of the spent shell casings, to my aunt, with thanks from the President for his service.

There are moments of clarity and understanding in life which come at you when you least expect them, events which make you understand what is real, the value of service, patriotism, and what national gratitude really means.

The look in the eye of the Memorial Guard, despite the fact that they must perform these ceremonies over and over, taught me everything I needed to know about gratitude and selflessness.

If you have an opportunity to visit this or another National Cemetery I would strongly urge you to do so, the power and grace there is nearly overwhelming.


Official site of Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery:
http://www.cem.va.gov/CEM/cems/nchp/abrahamlincoln.asp

Abraham Lincoln National Cemetery via Google Maps
http://tinyurl.com/yua3f8
(Committal Shelters are shown, but the main grounds are still under construction)

Information about military honors:
http://www.militaryfuneralhonors.osd.mil/

Thank you for the narative of your uncle's funeral, and for your family members' service to our country.

I have family in the Joliet area (Braidwood/Morris), and have heard of the Ammo Storage Facility - some of which I believe has been turned into some kind of nature preserve as well. I think the National Cemetary was a better use of this property. I will take your advise and attempt to visit it next time I roll through.

-Ace

I am sorry for your loss.  Thank you for the post, it was one of the best things I have read on CAPTALK in a long time.  I lived in Illinois for a few years and hope to make my way back there.  Things in the Midwest seemed less complicated, and life went just a littel slower.  :)

As many of you know, once you have attended a military funeral you have a greater appreciation of the comradeship and brotherly love that all military folks have for each other.  I attended two last year: one for a Colonel with whom I flew as a crew in Korea in 63-64 and the other for a Command Sergeant Major from the CA National Guard. 

Military service and, especially, combat time really forms a bond between military folks that is largely unmatched in the civilian world.  You may not have ever met an individual, but as soon as you find out that he/she has military service, you have an instant bond.  The civilian world simply has nothing that matches those experiences and most civilians do not understand the bond.

Strong winds and clear skies to your relative, Eclipse.

(http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/mjnovoselsr-funeral-photo-01.jpg)

Serving in the The Old Guard (http://www.army.mil/oldguard/index2.htm), I attended as many as 200 funerals, in Arlington and at other national cemeteries in the National Capital Region.  No single funeral was just another funeral.  Whether it be a PFC from WWII or a retired General like Ridgeway, every ounce of effort, sweat and honor went into making each family's final farewell the most honorable experience of their life.

Military funerals are one of the few traditions that I think will never change as the world evolves.  We may change uniforms, standards and tactics, but to honor those who served as a welder on the USS Eldorado or a F-117 pilot in the Gulf War deserve the very same honors no matter where they are laid to rest.

Quote
           

Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than Taps.

Up to the Civil War, the traditional call at day's end was a tune, borrowed from the French, called Lights Out. In July of 1862, in the aftermath of the bloody Seven Days battles, hard on the loss of 600 men and wounded himself, Union General Daniel Adams Butterfield called the brigade bugler to his tent. He thought "Lights Out" was too formal and he wished to honor his men. Oliver Wilcox Norton, the bugler, tells the story, "...showing me some notes on a staff written in pencil on the back of an envelope, (he) asked me to sound them on my bugle. I did this several times, playing the music as written. He changed it somewhat, lengthening some notes and shortening others, but retaining the melody as he first gave it to me. After getting it to his satisfaction, he directed me to sound that call for Taps thereafter in place of the regulation call. The music was beautiful on that still summer night and was heard far beyond the limits of our Brigade. The next day I was visited by several buglers from neighboring Brigades, asking for copies of the music which I gladly furnished. The call was gradually taken up through the Army of the Potomac."
          This more emotive and powerful Taps was soon adopted throughout the military. In 1874 It was officially recognized by the U.S. Army. It became standard at military funeral ceremonies in 1891. There is something singularly beautiful and appropriate in the music of this wonderful call. Its strains are melancholy, yet full of rest and peace. Its echoes linger in the heart long after its tones have ceased to vibrate in the air.         

      - from an article by Master Sergeant Jari A Villanueva, USAF.

Are there certain requirements to have a casket pulled by horse in a military funeral?

Quote from: penguinmaster113 on January 09, 2008, 08:21:17 PM
What are the requirements to have a casket pulled by a horse in a military funeral?

Be a former officer and be burried in Arlington National Cemetery (ANC).  As far as I know, the only military horse-drawn team is the Old Guard's Caisson Platoon (http://www.army.mil/oldguard/SpecialtyPlatoons/caisson.htm).

Enlisted folks don't get it as far as I know.  Maybe if you were a Medal of Honor recipient or something.

Thank you for sharing your experience and thoughts with us.  Please accept my condolences on the loss of your Uncle.

-SeattleSarge

Quote from: Stonewall on January 09, 2008, 08:24:32 PM

Quote from: penguinmaster113 on January 09, 2008, 08:21:17 PM
What are the requirements to have a casket pulled by a horse in a military funeral?

Be a former officer and be burried in Arlington National Cemetery (ANC).  As far as I know, the only military horse-drawn team is the Old Guard's Caisson Platoon (http://www.army.mil/oldguard/SpecialtyPlatoons/caisson.htm).

Enlisted folks don't get it as far as I know.  Maybe if you were a Medal of Honor recipient or something.

I do beleive the Caisson PL and its Battery out of Fort Sill (the one that does special ceremonies and stuff there) can be used to bury Officers in the Cemetary there.  But other than that unit and the one at Arlington, I know of no others.  That is a shame as it is really a great military tradition. 

I just ran across this discussion today. Eclipse, thanks for a touching narrative. I proudly serve on the American Legion Honor Guard here in my home town, and I agree with Stonewall. There is no such thing as "just another funeral". Every funeral is the passing of a brother in arms. We've been doing a couple of funerals a week lately, mostly WW2 and Korean vets, as you would expect. Taps never fails to get to me.

My sympathy for your loss, and my sincere thanks for the service of your uncle and father.

The first funeral I ever saw was at Arlington when I was about 16.  It was one of those experiences I'll never forget.  There is so much grandeur in that special last ceremony for someone who has served.  It turns a time of grief into a moment of pride and reflection on his life.

Please pass to the rest of your family my deepest respect and admiration for your uncle's service.  He obviously deserves a hero's burial.

Hawkeye Pierce
Special Forces (Ret)

Thank you all for you kind words

At my library yesterday I found this DVD:

National Geographic: Arlington, Field of Honor
(http://qpbs.imageg.net/graphics/product_images/p1751568reg.jpg)

The Marine service show is very similar to the one my uncle received.

There is also some great information and images here:

http://ngm.nationalgeographic.com/ngm/0706/feature5/multimedia.html

For those who have not been to Arlington, or would like some additional interesting and moving information, I would suggest seeking this out.