I was wondering how many people would want to be dressed in their CAP Service uniform when they at last pass away, and if they would want an honor guard. I know that it's not like full military honors, but something similar.
At my current level of participation, yes.
Ask me again in 10 years. :D
Quote from: RogueLeader on January 26, 2009, 03:17:19 AM
I was wondering how many people would want to be dressed in their CAP Service uniform when they at last pass away, and if they would want an honor guard. I know that it's not like full military honors, but something similar.
I would like to honor my Service, the Civil Air Patrol, by wearing my uniform one last time. I've got so many, some museum may be bequiethed one...for the glory of CAP, not me.
I don't need the other stuff, but I would be honored from whatever cloud I might be looking down from.
I would be buried in a flight cap in the coffin...the service caps I would leave for my daughters to remember their dad...
Sunset and evening SAR,
And one clear call, a wrap!
And may there be no moaning in the CAR,
When I put out from CAP, With Regards to Tennyson. ;)
Why burn a perfectly good uniform? ;D Not that it fits anymore. :(
Quote from: MIKE on January 26, 2009, 03:59:10 AM
Why burn a perfectly good uniform? ;D Not that it fits anymore. :(
Mike, you are overlooking the ancient art of taxidermy. Why burn it when you can be stuffed and placed in a chair at your squadron
a la Jeremy Bentham.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Jeremy_Bentham_Auto-Icon.jpg)
Then you can model CAP Uniforms well into the next century.
Could stay in command for years that way. >:D
Quote from: RogueLeader on January 26, 2009, 03:17:19 AM
I was wondering how many people would want to be dressed in their CAP Service uniform when they at last pass away, and if they would want an honor guard. I know that it's not like full military honors, but something similar.
My late sister was buried in hers at her request - that was 14 years ago.
Quote from: fyrfitrmedic on January 26, 2009, 04:18:34 AM
Quote from: RogueLeader on January 26, 2009, 03:17:19 AM
I was wondering how many people would want to be dressed in their CAP Service uniform when they at last pass away, and if they would want an honor guard. I know that it's not like full military honors, but something similar.
My late sister was buried in hers at her request - that was 14 years ago.
I consider that a great honor, God bless your late sister.
If I were buried (not exactly something I have thought about that much...) I would like to be buried in my uniform.
Out of the two members of my unit that have passed during my membership, one was cremated, but asked for us to be at his wake, and the other was put to rest in his uniform, with CAP members serving as pall bearers and a cadet honor guard folding and presenting a flag to his wife (he was also ret. Navy).
I think I'd rather be laid to rest in my Masonic regalia. I love CAP and all, just not enough to be buried in my duds.
Couldn't see myself buried in anything else.
Plus, my service dress is the only suit I own :)
Sorry, it's the sailor suit for me, even though I've worn a CAP uniform much longer.
I dont know about ya'll I'll be at Fiddlers Green
if you ain't Cav you ain't..........
I probably would want to wear my SDF uniform. One of our late members of MDDF was buried in his SDF uniform and since he was also retired Air Force, he also got full military honors. The USAF Honor Guard was there and presented the USA flag to his wife and our SDF CSM presented the MD flag. Had both MDDF and CAP pall bearers. He wasn't in CAP but he taught some of our CAP pilots.
Quote from: Major Carrales on January 26, 2009, 04:00:52 AM
Quote from: MIKE on January 26, 2009, 03:59:10 AM
Why burn a perfectly good uniform? ;D Not that it fits anymore. :(
Mike, you are overlooking the ancient art of taxidermy. Why burn it when you can be stuffed and placed in a chair at your squadron a la Jeremy Bentham.
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/b/b4/Jeremy_Bentham_Auto-Icon.jpg)
Then you can model CAP Uniforms well into the next century.
Absolutely creepy! I'll have nightmares tonight....I for one do not want an open casket funeral: folks never look the way they do when they were alive, and I hate the fact that my last view of friends or loved ones is an awkward-looking carcass with caked-on makeup.
I'd prefer something like what they do in some Asian countries, or here in the west when the deceased's remains are unviewable/unrecoverable: a large favorite portait of them from their heyday.
Then off to the crematorium. I would, however, like to have 'Amazing Grace' (bagpipes, of course) and/or 'Nearer my God to thee' played at the event.
I've been to a few funerals for CAP members in the last few years, and two of them were in CAP uniform.
Well, I plan to be creamated. But, if I were buried, my CAP uniform would be my second choice. Instead, I would opt for my liturgical clergy vestments.
I would hope that there would be a strong presence of CAP folk at the service, however.
USMC Dress Blues.
Sorry guys, but being dead does not qualify as a CAP activity and it would violate regulations for you to be buried in your uniform. >:D
I'll just have my commander approve it and won't make any unnecessary stops! ::)
I am tempted to write in detail about the missing man formation we flew at the last CAP funeral we were part of. It absolutely amazing how those Cessnas flew in so perfectly level in a nice tight formation at about 200 AGL. Even the engine noise seemed perfectly synchronized.... as if they were all part of one craft vs. each one assigned to the Wing.
Then.... when the moment was right, one executed a perfect climb and drifted away from the formation. It meant so much to the family ... and to the member's other family (that would be us).
Like I said... tempted. I can't actually go into detail about something that would be so incredibly unsafe and all that.... perhaps breaking a few rules out of 60-1 too.
More importantly, it would be a lie because it never happened. Still, it sure is fun wondering how many of you reading this had the proverbial hook firmly planted in your cheeks up until now.
PS- Yes, this was a joke, and no... nothing like this has ever happened up here
...speaking of slightly strange, while performing escort duty for a young airman killed overseas (I escorted him home), I had the duty of performing his last inspection. His family was all military vets with an active-duty brother. The funeral director had put his ribbon rack on upside down, and he needed a haircut and mustache trim.
Escorting him home was such an honor; one of the most memorable experiences I've ever had.
Quote from: RiverAux on January 27, 2009, 04:23:36 AM
Sorry guys, but being dead does not qualify as a CAP activity and it would violate regulations for you to be buried in your uniform. >:D
Just get an activity number and you'll be fine. Although I would hate to be the one to explain to a future commander why an activity hadn't closed. ???
CAP uniform, clown suit, toga, one of my wife's dresses - Why would i care, I'll be freaking DEAD! :clap: ;D :clap: ;D :clap: ;D
Quote from: RiverAux on January 27, 2009, 04:23:36 AM
Sorry guys, but being dead does not qualify as a CAP activity and it would violate regulations for you to be buried in your uniform. >:D
It doesn't have to be an AFAM to be a CAP activity, pal. It'll be awfully hard to sign you in if you're dead, though, unless maybe your name is Bernie.
Well, I didn't say it was an AFAM, just a CAP activity. I suppose if you get your squadron commander to approve your death ahead of time as a CAP activity, you could wear your uniform.
I want to be buried in my service dress uniform, but I want closed casket. Also, full military honors(Army vet) and a bag piper marching in front of the coach and at the graveside.
Quote from: RiverAux on January 31, 2009, 02:42:47 AM
Well, I didn't say it was an AFAM, just a CAP activity. I suppose if you get your squadron commander to approve your death ahead of time as a CAP activity, you could wear your uniform.
I can see it now: CNN News Live "The Squadron Commander of XX-YYY, Civil Air Patrol has approved the death of one of his members, so that member could wear his own Dress Uniform to his wedding.
Folks..........
We just had a funeral for one of our members with over 50+ years service. She was buried in her Dress Uniform with her minmedals from all her years of service to CAP. Members of the Abilene squadron attended in their service dress. There was no honor guard, bit CAP's presence was noted and appreciated by the family. Come to think of.......I believe that CAP was her family as well.
73s
Quote from: Johnny Yuma on January 31, 2009, 02:13:39 AM
CAP uniform, clown suit, toga, one of my wife's dresses - Why would i care, I'll be freaking DEAD! :clap: ;D :clap: ;D :clap: ;D
Funerals are for the Living you leave behind as opposed to the fellow in the casket. (as for me all that is truly required for my benefit is a Priest.) Wearing your uniform would be an hommage to those you served with in CAP, your family that supported your CAP service and, for some, a dying decree as to how one would last seen before being returned to the earth.
If a CAP member desires this, I see no problem, including being buried in uniform. Today, it's expensive for a funeral, and many families are now opting for cremation and just one visiting "wake" period at the funeral home, with perhaps a short religious service at the funeral home and/or grave site.
I know a few 40+ years members who have given a lot of time, talent, and for that matter money to the CAP program, and I would support them/their families IF they desired a CAP presence at their/their loved ones funeral(s).
RM