A Young Marine's Funeral

[Bird]

One thing I did not understand - was he cremated before repatriation? I thought US war heroes were interred at Arlington?

At this time, I believe all our soldiers killed in action are brought back to Dover, DE, for whatever processing is needed. That might include identifiction, autopsies, embalming, and/or cremation. So Dover is where the airplane in the video came from.

And yes, Sgt. Walters would have qualified for Arlington as a final resting place, but as RadarTech said, it's up to the family. In this case, nearly all the family is in this area, and just as with the other national cemeteries, the DFW National Cemetery is a great facility. So the family selected both the funeral home to handle the arrangements and the cemetery.

My wife and I each have uncles who served in WWII buried there, and one of my wife's brother's wife is also there, as is one of our former very good friends (former neighbor).

 

[RTII]

Thanks for posting Bird. As a father with both sons in the military (Youngest -Marine, Eldest - National Guard active SF) the video brings stong emotions. Sadness, Pride, and of course a little fear for the loved ones. My thoughts go out to this great young mans family.

Reily

 

[firefighter jim]

Reminds us of the price we pay for freedom. R.I.P. Zachary....................

 

[Greenmountain Farmer]

.
Tom...

 

[Bird]

Of course, Sgt. Walter's funeral was held at the funeral home in Irving, TX, and then he was taken to the Dallas-Ft. Worth National Cemetery. My son-in-law just sent me this link to the video of the ceremony at the cemetery. It's a bit long, but I thought some of you might like to see what this cemetery looks like and the kind of ceremony there.

 

[jimmyj]

Gosh, amen.

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends - John 15:13

I don't have better words than these.

 

[RadarTech]

Bird,
A military funeral is humbling to see,attend or be a part of. While I wish we could say they will end, I am proud of how we honor our fallen warriors.

May God Bless and give comfort to those left behind.


J

 

[aczlan]

It always gives me the chills to watch them fold and present the flag at a funeral service.
It reminds me of my grandfathers funeral, he was a WWII veteran and was buried out at Calverton National Cemetery last year in an amazing ceremony.

Aaron Z

 

[mjarrels]

We just had services in Broadway Va. for a 24 year old Army guy killed in Afganistan by a IED. Brings the war close to home. While in the Navy, I use to participate in Military funerals firing 21 gun sulutes and folding the flag. I had to fire right handed and I'm a lefty.

mark

 

[wroughtn_harv]

I talked to the Honor Guard who officiated at my brother in law's service in OKC. They said it's a full time job because vets of all the wars die every day. Those three National Guardsmen were doing three services that day alone. Most of the funerals involve Nam vets.