Last one for this rotation
The funeral on 28 Feb was my last for this rotation. I volunteered for it last week since the other NCO's had all done at least one that week already. I was told that it was a two man service in Moss Landing for a Navy veteran. There were only two Sailors at that practice and one was scheduled to do a full honors over the weekend, so I asked the other Sailor to come with me on this one. It was the same Sailor that had come with me to a funeral about two weeks back.
To be honest, I'm really glad that was my last funeral. The frustration in getting ready for that funeral was monumental! A few weeks back, while trying to coordinate for a vehicle and equipment for a funeral with the civilian in charge of casualty affairs here on the base, I got crap for trying to set up a pick up a day early. I was told that I could just get what I needed from him the day of, since he's always in his office (I knew at the time this was not true, it was actually part of my motivation to get the stuff a day early). So, with our overall NCOIC taking a day off early for leave, I figured I wouldn't bother with the hassle of trying to get ready a day early again.
On Tuesday morning, I had a class to teach from 0800-0900. I then headed on over to the casualty affairs office to find it closed and locked. The ID card section was right next to the office and I needed a new ID card anyways, so I signed in and waited. I was helped and out of there in a very fast (NOT) 50 minutes (I was the only person in line when I signed in) and the office was still closed. No problem, I thought, I needed a haircut, too, so I headed up to the PX and got that taken care of. I came back and the office was still locked. I headed back to my office and sent an email and called. Luckily, the phone is set up to forward to the cell phone, so I was able to get in touch with the man. He sounded like I had just woken him up. He told me that he'd be there by 1130 (the time I wanted to leave by) to give me the equipment and in the mean time, I could head over to the Protocal Office and get the keys to the vehicle (hooray for the 15 passenger van!).
At 1130, I picked up the Sailor and we went to the office to get the equipment. Still locked. I gave him another 15 minutes and then called his cell. I got the run-around about how I didn't set things up ahead of time. I bit my tongue because I knew it wouldn't get me the bugle and flag case any quicker if I said anything. He directed me to find another man in the building that had keys to his office and have him let me in to get what I needed.
Luckily, I'm an early freak when it comes to funerals. We got out of there by 1200 and that still gave us plenty of time to be in Moss Landing by 1300. When we got there, we were first greeted by some members of the local Veterans of Foreign Wars. They told us that they were asked to perform the rifle salute and to play Taps if we weren't already planning on doing it. I spent a few minutes talking to the commander of the VFW group and the family members that were already there. The flag was folded and on a table near the urn at the front of the chapel. The commander of the VFW group and I talked through what we would do. He would have someone posted inside the chapel to signal them outside when we were ready to start the military honors. After the rifle salute and Taps, I would pick up the flag and wait for him at the front of the chapel so he could place the three pieces of brass inside the flag. Then he would depart and I would present the flag.
The service was one of the longer ones that I had been to during this rotation. The bugler and I sat in the back row of the chapel and patiently waited. I want to point out my use of the word "patiently" because while I was at times wondering how long some of the stories would go (especially the ones that didn't even make mention of the person the service was for!), we never outwardly showed any signs of impatience. The member of the VFW, on the other hand, sat in the back and audibly sighed and fidgeted very often when someone new stood up to speak. I actually did move at one time in an attempt to put some distance between where I was sitting and where he was.
After about 90 minutes, the ceremony started to wind down and the minister announced that the military would now present the flag. I sent the bugler outside and had him warn to rifle team to be ready. The VFW member that was inside stood in the doorway so he could see me and signal the team when I was in position. After the honors were complete, I presented the flag to one of the brothers of the deceased and made my way to the back of the chapel. I left the chapel during the last song of the service. I thanked the members of the VFW for coming out and participating and then the bugler and I headed back to our van.
When we got back to base, the casualty affairs office was open. I turned in the bugle and keys to the van and got out of there as quickly as I could. I'm relieved that I'm done with this rotation, but I think the biggest relief is not having to deal with the frustration that comes with preparing for the funerals, and not as much for not having to attend the ceremonies.
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