A horse, a hearse and a sense of duty

Lorraine Melgosa of Manzanola, Colo., volunteers her 19th century horse-drawn carriage for funerals of troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan. She says it's the least she can do.

Reporting from Scottsbluff, Neb. — Lorraine Melgosa hasn't developed the thick skin of someone who works with the bereaved. She almost always cries at funerals. . . .

"Presidents who have passed away have been taken to cemeteries in horse-drawn carriages," said Navy Chief Petty Officer Kip Poggemeyer. "It's the way all military funerals should be. If I were ever to be killed in combat, that's what I'd want."

Melgosa sees it as her duty to honor those who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.

"Whatever gift you can give to these soldiers and their families, you should give," Melgosa said. "It's the least you can do to try to honor them."

The most important thing in my opinoin is a sense of acknowledgement by our nation for those patriots that fall, this great person does what she can in the traditional sense, I have no quarell, except this is not the Civil war, Very few of our fallen get the horse drawn carridge, or 21 guns they deserve. But if this patriot lady can give some solace to the survivors of our fallen, I’m all for it. To me this not a simple show, It shows respect, and is a concious effort for her to what she sees fit. But she is just one person, and with due respect, It’s not about a horse drawn carridge to most, nor a slow funeral Procession, but about respect. As a Vet, I could only hope that those folk that have given the ultimate in defense of OUR great nation would have fallen to a most gratefull nation, one that cares about the survivors of a Solider, Marine, Sailor, or Airman, and not an ungreatfull nation that leave thier families hanging.
Thankfully I’ve not heard of these things. I say as long is there is true respect, That’s all that really counts.

Lovely. I thought all soldiers who die in service to the country were entitled to a caisson where such service is available.

Those in government service and military personal go by the open caisson. Personally, I think every town should have this service for our military personnel.

In Louisiana you see the carriage sometimes. Some funeral homes have them for traditional New Orleans services. We had a regular carriage funeral hearse for my son when he died last April and we walked the mile to the cemetary.

Such a processional does make a difference in honoring the lost loved one and I wish ALL our soldiers could be dispatched thus. It is a comfort somehow.

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