I know from my grandfather’s funeral that members of the military find it a special honor to take part in any ceremony honoring their own in their final rest. I was curious about what it must be like to be part of Reagan’s honor guard, and Blackfive has the remarks of two soldiers who carried Reagan’s casket.
Very nice.
As a lowly enlisted swine in El Toro CA back in the late 70’s I had the honor of being on the duty burial team. I actually went on several.
Nothing sends a chill up your back like hearing the 18 gun salute (only heads of state rate 21) followed immediately by the sound of taps or, if you really want the tears to flow, a set of bagpipes playing “Amazing Grace”
Wow. All of those men will have a wonderful story to tell their grandchildren one day.
–I had the honor to be on a burial detail for several years (it was a collateral duty that we shared). Unfortunately, as more and more WW II vets started dying, business was booming.
–Anyway, the “biggest” detail I was ever a part of was for Gregory “Pappy” Boyington. He was the Marine Corps aviator (Ace) from WW II. His life was the basis for the tv show “Black Sheep Squadron”, starring Robert Conrad.
–Pappy was a good old Marine who would visit us at the base when he could… and he was a national hero. When he died, it was a big deal. We watched over his body for a few days while people came to pay respects… then we put him on a plane to be buried at Arlington National Cemetary. His old squadron came and flew escort to D.C. It was very motivating.
–No matter who we were burying, though… we always felt the honor and the weight of the moment. It was (and is) a great feeling to know that someday I will be honored in such a way… and my family will be taken care of. That is the very least we can do for our veterans… and really, it is all that most of us would ever ask for.
–P.S. God Bless President Reagan and his family!! Semper Fidelis!
Devil Dog!!! You got to do Pappy’s funeral?!?! Damn!
–Yeah, Hostage… it was (and remains) one of the highlights of my life. It was awesome!!
I did a few burial details in my time when I in the infantry in the Fort Riley AO – each post will service its state and sometimes several around it. The pressure on you to look good and do a good job (perfect job) is intense even when its a small family watching you. The pressure on these guys must have been awesome. I would have been proud to do that, but that would have been insanely tough. Even with 8 of them, 720lbs, is a lot. They managed to make it look good anyway. I’m really proud of all of them. The bands and choirs sounded excellent also, btw.
I’m just curious, is there a significance to the positioning of the honor guard? When Reagan’s casket was in the Rotunda, they stood 3 at one end and 1 offset at the other end. It seems like there would be some sort of significance to it.. can anyone explain? Thanks.
I have buried a few Marines. The last one was during the Clinton adminstration. After the minister says his peace, Taps is played and the salute is fired, the flag is folded and presented to the familiy. As you give the wife / mother the flag you are supposed to say “On behalf of a greatful nation and the President of the United States, I present you this flag as a token of appreciation for your husband’s faithfull service.” I substituted the “Commandant of the Marine Corps” for the president. The ladies husband had died, no reason to insult her further.
I have also buried a few Soldiers and Sailors. The Army had a policy that they would not travel more than 50 miles to bury a veteran. The Marine Corps policy was that we would go wherever. So soldeir’s families started calling us for help. This made the news, Army policy changed.
The sailors had been Corpsmen who served with the Marines and wanted us to do the ceremony. One called to talk to me about it before he died. He wanted to make sure that we would do it, he “didn’t want any sailors messing up his funeral.” I assured him it would be no problem and told him to give my name and number to the funeral director he was going to use. Got a call three days later. Sad business, all of the details I did where for older veterans, doing one for one of these teenagers getting killed in IZ would be rough.
Wow Devil Dog. You were there to render honors to Pappy Boyington.
That is amazing.
I noticed as I watched the men and women in uniform performing their duties this week, that they carried them out perfectly. God bless em.