military honors

I had never attended a funeral before that had military honors. I was completely awed by the experience. My grandmother was a WAC in WWII and proudly served for a couple years. She passed this past week and her funeral was today. While we did not bury her at Jefferson Barracks we still had full military honors at her funeral. It was something to see both active army and retired army at the graveside to honor my grandma. The playing of taps and the gun salute was VERY touching to me and my family (of course hearing taps made my entire family break into tears) but it is something that none of us will forget. The honor and discipline of these men and women to come out and take the time to help celebrate a life of someone that they never knew was amazing.

In fact this whole process that occured this week was amazing. From the hospice nurse and social worker sitting with my family for hours while my grandma was actively dying to the funeral home themself. One of the most touching things i will never forget was a simple one.....when the funeral home came to my parents house to pick my grandma up, they cleaned up the room and perfectly made her bed.....and on the pillow they left a simple red rose! Something so basic, but something that showed so much respect. Sadly the hospice nurse said very rarely does she see a home doing that, let alone making the bed presentable!

Then today as we were going to the cemetary in the procession, a man was walking and he stopped, took his cap off and saluted every single car that was in the procession!

 

they drape the casket in a flag as we leave the funeral home. When we arrived to the cemetary, we had 2 active army in dress blues and 5 retired military with the guns waiting for us. They came into formation as we arrived and saluted while the casket was placed. Then we had the ceremony and at the end, the active army came over and notified us that at this time we will proceed with the full military honors. In the distance a bugelist played taps and then they fired the guns for 3 shots. Then the active milatry people removed the flag from the casket, folded it and presented it to my father. They gave a speech stating that on behalf of the president of the U.S., all the active and retired military and for all the citizens this flag is presented to you in honor of your loved one who served (there was more to it but at this point I was so moved and in tears that I cant remember) Once this was done they stood and saluted the casket and marched off.

 

A big thank you, a big salute, and a tear for your Granma.
Al.

 

Just as schackmel said, 21 gun salute, playing of taps, and presentation of the flag. Still remember my grandfathers to this day...

A big thank you to your grandmother and condolences for your loss... She truely was a part of the greatest generation. I am glad she was placed to rest with such distinguished honor.

 

I was saying full military honors, but it was actually a military honor funeral. Even though this is just WIKIPEDIA, this is actually very intersting article. Apparently it had been available in the past (my grandpa had one when he passed back in 1972 before I was born) but it was mandated in 2000 to allow for all eligible military and retired military benefit of it

Military funeral - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

 

And rightfully so. Sorry for your loss but thank her for her service and protection. Very well deserved I'm sure.

 

as many are not familiar with WAC..this is a cool article. My grandmother was a WAC, not WAAC so she was enlisted in the army versus earlier WAAC who were not

The Women's Army Corps

 

I have been on both sides of a Military Honors funeral. My dad's stepdad was buried with honors, and I have also been on a firing team for the Kansas National Guard. I can tell you that performing this duty is one that I do with great respect and humility. Every person on our teams is greatly affected by these funerals. Even though we do not usually know the person who served, it hits us in the chest every time.

Even though I never knew your grandmother, I guarantee all military personnel in attendance felt like they had just lost another member of their team.

"Present... ARMS"

 

I'll bet she had some great stories ! ..hope you got a chance to hear them. : )
R.I.P. ...keep her memories alive.
pure pride... ; )