"Only Marines Touched That Casket"

Marine Corps League ^ | 01/05/07 | Gerneral Richard Cody - Vice Chief of the U. S. Army

[Pablo64]

It does that to a lot of people. When I was in college, the band was asked to come and play for the VFW at a flag burning ceremony (retiring old worn out flags). We played the National Anthem and other patriotic songs. When they asked us if we could have someone blow taps when they started burning the flags, our band director grabbed two of our trumpet players and sent one of them running all the way across to the other side of the fairgrounds where we were to stand just out of sight. His job was to echo the first trumpet player from a distance when he heard him play. The effect was incredibly moving. I remember people in the stands sobbing out loud.

[EmilyGeiger]

I have a lot of sad memories of that time.....


Very sorry about that, God bless you for your service.

[Mr. Lucky]

Thank you.

[fnord]

thanks for the post, very moving

Semper Fi

[Mr. Jazzy]

Thanks.

Had a similar situation on a flight into Charleston S.C. last year for a soldier.

The soldiers CO, a Captain, was escorting his soldier back from Iraq. The Captain was a strong black man, looking like he was chiseled out of onyx stone. Saw him in the terminal area in Atlanta, waiting quietly after the casket was put aboard the aircraft.

After waiting (and trying not to let my eyes leak!) went over to him, stuck out my hand and said "Thank you for your service, your fidelity to the nation and for doing this, the toughest mission their is, escorting one of your own home to his family for the last time." He nodded and said "Thank you, sir."

When we arrived at Charleston, the pilot of the aircraft announced that the Captain was aboard the aircraft and the Captains mission and requested that the Captain be allowed to leave the aircraft first and escort the body. All the passengers sat in silent respect as the Captain got up from his seat and moved to the front of the cabin. When he reached the front of the plane, he turned around and nodded a "thank you" to the passengers. The plane applauded him as he left. On the Tarmac, a hearse from a local funeral parlor was waiting, along with an Honor Guard, who extracted the casket and placed it into the hearse. The Captain met with the small family. White family, black officer, in Charleston South Carolina. The embrace they gave him brought those on my side of the aircraft to tears. Once the hearse moved away, then the plane emptied out, with quite a few red eyes and sniffles.

[OldCorps]

God bless the USMC!

[Lancey Howard]

Semper fidelis BUMP!

Great article. Thanks for the ping.

[Steelerfan]

Thanks for posting.

[JZelle]

So sorry you had to feel that way. A belated and sincere thanks to you.

[Dead Corpse]

At ease Marine. We'll take it from here...

Semper Fi...

[A.A. Cunningham]

Three rifle volleys, not a 21-gun salute.

[A.A. Cunningham]

Since dad did not retire from the service they would not do the gun salute, but that was fine with us.

You were misinformed. Only flag officers receive gun salutes. However, anyone who has served honorably is entitled to and should receive three rifle volleys.

[Rb ver. 2.0]

whatever.

[Pablo64]

Well, we basically just listened to what we were told (since we didn't know any better), and it worked out. I know that dad wouldn't have been upset or anything. He would have just shook his head and muttered something about "typical government screw up"...

Dad was a Master Sergant and performed mostly clerical work, not only during his time of service, but for over 25 years after he was discharged, working in Civil Service (before he "retired" for the first of 4 times) and he was an incredibly organized person.

[Marysecretary]

When they play taps, I can never keep back the tears. Nor do I want to.

[Marysecretary]

My best friend's son was killed in an accident and they did a Marine funeral at our church. I'll never forget it. The boy's stepfather and two other pastors played Amazing Grace on bagpipes and the young Marines there were amazing in themselves. God bless them all.

[Marine_Uncle]

Yet another sobering reminder of those that have stepped upon the steeps called honor.

[oh8eleven]

Semper Fi ...

[rightwingextremist1776]

Semper Fi and thanks for the post.

[SENTINEL]

"If the Army and the Navy
ever look on Heaven's scenes
they will find the streets are guarded
by United States Marines."

Enjoy your new assignment Marine, Semper Fi.