Burial at sea
May 31, 2018 12:05:43 #
RS
Loc: W Columbia, SC
Thanks for this very touching posting. I have to say that it
did bring tears to this old man's eyes. I did an Army tour
in Vietnam, '67 - '68; and I have a few friends to whom I
will forward this story - I hope you don't mind.
Thanks again, and God bless you and yours!
did bring tears to this old man's eyes. I did an Army tour
in Vietnam, '67 - '68; and I have a few friends to whom I
will forward this story - I hope you don't mind.
Thanks again, and God bless you and yours!
May 31, 2018 12:35:45 #
May 31, 2018 13:49:46 #
I am one of those that never cry - even at my own mother's funeral. But while reading that story I felt tears come down my face.
May 31, 2018 13:57:19 #
May 31, 2018 14:05:57 #
May 31, 2018 15:17:15 #
May 31, 2018 15:21:19 #
Very poignant narrative. I appreciate that you posted it, as well as the fact that I can touch type.
--Bob
--Bob
May 31, 2018 15:43:00 #
May 31, 2018 17:50:04 #
May 31, 2018 19:24:22 #
My tour of duty in the Navy was with the Public Affairs Office, COMCBLANT Drill Team. While we entertained folks at parades and other events, the more sober side of our duties was to provide funeral details in the New England area. At age 22, you absolutely know that you're immortal. At age 22 and 1/2, I knew of my own and others limited life. We took turns on the various posts in the detail; some days on the firing squad, some days on the casket, and once in a great while, presenting the flag. Our leading petty officer insured that no one ever had permanent flag presentation. In most instances there was a commissioned officer, but a few times it fell to us. It's just too difficult to see folks in that state of grief. While there aren't nightmares, I can still see the faces of mothers, fathers, wives, children, etc., with that look of loss of a loved one.
May 31, 2018 20:04:50 #
May 31, 2018 20:53:15 #
From one Marine to another, thanks to Col. Goodson. A beautiful piece of writing that left me teary eyed. Semper Fi!
May 31, 2018 21:07:39 #
Jim70
Loc: Delaware
Thank you, Col. Goodson for the very moving story and for your service from one vet to another.
May 31, 2018 22:36:50 #
I feel your pain spent 20 in the Corp with a few funerals retired now and still take part in veterans funeral sometimes we the vets are the only ones together with vfw and American legion
May 31, 2018 23:32:47 #
skylinefirepest
Loc: Southern Pines, N.C.
This is why I don't approve of those who wish to kneel for the flag and anthem...it is their right to do so but they didn't pay for it...other heroes did. I have photographed many funerals for military families or for law enforcement or first responders and it is hard to control the emotions. In the last few years we have had three heroes returned to our home town with a State Patrol escort, usually coming in from Raleigh and my fire department drapes the flag at the bridge over U.S. 1 and we stand at attention until the last car passes under the bridge. The last one was just a month back and we got a page for a fire just about three minutes before the procession got to us. We left a single policeman holding the flag while the engines responded to the fire. I believe that there are only two of us in the department with military experience now.
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