A story wroth sharing.

[7th]

I know that I am very new to this site but I just went though this and thought that you all would like to hear it.

A few weeks ago, I was asked if I have my dress uniform here with me, telling my NCOIC that I did not he told me to leave then (1300) and be back by 0700 the next day. Well, first things first "Why?" One of my friends had just lost his uncle that had raised him and was a WWII vet, so I drive 165 miles home to get my uniform and spend the night with my family (Normly only on the weekends I don't have to drill with my unit) So getting up at 0330 to get down her on time, I spend the next 3 1/2 hours riding in a car going to this little town a funeral for someone that I have never seen before.

We got there about a hour before anyone else showed up, my friend was coming in on the morning fliet from Atlanta Ga. I walked in and looked at the man, how peacful and serean he looked. Then I thought about the storys that I had heard from Grady about his uncle and some that was shared from other friends that had knew Grady longer.

Ed, had loved the outdoors and the only thing that got him away from his mountion home in WV was WWII. He had lived and Loved the same Lady for 63 years, she passed away on Jan 20th 2005 and there 64th would have been Feb 14th.

I remember being told how he was shot down in a B-17 3 times and thought it was to much so he treansfered to the Inf. just in time to get shipped to the battle of the Bulge. Other storys about things he did (alot would not be beleaved here if I told them) brought this man to life for me at this time.

Having been around the Military in one way or another the 43 years I have been on this earth, I have been to alot of Military funerals and never once thought of how the men felt.

We was the very last to come in, after the family was setted and the last to leave after the preacher was done. A cold wind came down off the mounton and cut through the dress greens I had on. The drive to the grave gave me more time to think about the passing of Ed.

We stood outside as everyone but the firing squad went inside. The last Benadiction and they brought the family back out, I was facing the wind and was so cold by now that my hands and face hurt. We fired our vollys and snapped to attion with a crisp salut as taps played, looking over the flag held up and though the flash suppreser of my weapon, there was Grady, with his hand salut and tears running down his face. I watched the flag being folded and could not stop the tears from my eyes.

My hands was hurting so bad at this point that I could not stand it but I would not move. I felt a wormth come over me that I can not put into words and that is what stayed me from moving.

As the family was walking away and thanking us, I was so moved that I could not talk. Then Grady came up and shook my hand with one word "Thanks!" and I can say this, I have never been payed better for anything that I have ever done in my life then that one word of thanks.

It took over 2 hours for my hands to stop hurting but the wormth I felt from all this was more then rewording for the miner discomfert.

I know that there may be alot out there that think it is just to plant the old Trooper but that day, Men I thought I knew better, was moved in ways that shocked me. It touched me to my soul and I will be glad the day that I can shake Ed and his wifes hand and thank him for the honer I was given to have been there.

I hope that I have done this justess and please forgive the spelling but I am still so touched by this that I needed to share this with you all.

[TreeStandBowHunter]

Re: A story wroth sharing.

7th, I work at 25th Marine Regiment up in Worcester, Mass. I am part of the 30 man Inspector-Instructor Staff. One of our "Collateral(sp) duties is doing funerals for deceased vets. Whether they be from WWII, Korea, Vietnam,OEF-OIF,etc. I myself average 1 funeral a week.

I am usually the one to present the flag to the Next Of Kin. These are the words that I say...

On behalf of the President of the United States, Commandant of the Marine Corps and a Greatful Nation, Please except this flag as a token of our appreciation for your loved ones service to our Corps

I guess what I am saying is I know all too well what you are talking about. I had good friends die in Iraq. One of them I watched and couldn't do anything about. Everytime I do a funeral, all I can think about is that moment on March 29th, 2003.

Little side humor here....whats worse is we usually arrive about 1/2 hour before the burial begans, all we do is stand around and look at the hole in the ground. Can you imagine what goes through our minds

Keep Charging

[ThethirdI]

Re: A story wroth sharing.

Oorah! I have been in those shoes and I have felt those same feelings.

[Gator]

Re: A story wroth sharing.

I (luckily) have never been to a military funeral since I joined/ ETS'd. I can only imagine the feelings and thoughts going through your head at those times. but I do know what that one word of "THANKS" can do.

Right after my wifes grandmother passed away, I was over at her house with my wife. An older gentleman that I didn't know was there, and started talking to me, asking me if I was in the military, (guess he saw my DESERT STORM tag on my truck) I proceeded to answer with a yes, he stood up, shook my hand, and said "Thank You" needless to say, I had tears in my eyes, and was speechless, which is really hard to make me. That is the first time anyone had ever thanked me like that, but it sure made me feel good inside.

TSBH, how do you do it?

[Ohiobucks]

Re: A story wroth sharing.

All I can say is - Thank you all for what you do.

7th, your story gave me chills, I felt like I was there.

[TreeStandBowHunter]

Re: A story wroth sharing.

[ QUOTE ]

TSBH, how do you do it?

[/ QUOTE ]

Good question I let it all out in here

I guess I just try my hardest to forget about stuff like that. Seems to work most of the time

[stevebeilgard]

Re: A story wroth sharing.

what a great honor.