Today's funeral was at a cemetery that I haven't been to before. It was just a two man detail and I went with the same Sailor that I went with earlier this week. We planned to depart at 1000. I got there a little early and the civilian that is in charge of mortuary/casualty affairs came out before my partner arrived. He decided to quiz me and then sternly tell me to return the sedan in the same shape I received it. He washed it yesterday and I guess he thought I might go off roading in it or something. I don't know, the guy is just a weird bird. He also wanted me to park the vehicle in backwards instead of just pulling it in. The entire time I've been on this detail we've just pulled the car into the parking space, but he told me this as if it was something I had purposely done contrary to his wishes just to be a jerk. Whatever. When he was satisfied that I would do his bidding, he left.
My partner arrived and we departed for the cemetery. We got there about 40 minutes early (I am an early freak). The cemetery people pointed out where the plot was. There was an awning set up over the grave and a couple rows of chairs. It was up a grassy hill towards the top and there was a road that ran around the base of the hill up to the top behind the grave site. I figured they'd drive the carriage to the higher road and carry the casket down but just on the off chance that they stopped on the low side of the hill, I took up a position at the bottom. I figured they'd be driving slow and if they did go around to the top, I'd have time to get up there before they did.
As soon as I got the bugler into position and then moved down the hill, people started to arrive. It was hard to see that the road curved around to the top of the hill, so I pointed this out to them and they drove around. A few minutes later, the carriage arrived. It drove towards me and as I saluted, the driver rolled the window down to talk to me. While I appreciate that he wanted to tell me that he would drive around to the top of the hill, it wasn't really necessary and I had to drop my salute in order to talk to him.
I moved up to the top of the hill and saluted again as the carriage passed. The driver parked and came over to talk to me. He told me that his partner would point out the next of kin as soon as he arrived. I stood at the rear of the carriage until the grounds keepers came over and served as pall bearers. I followed the casket to the grave and saluted again as they set the casket down. The family arrived immediately and I found out who the next of kin was. One thing they didn't tell me (and it would have been nice to have the warning) was that the widow was blind. There was no outward indication that she was blind for me to pick up on. When she was guided to her seat, it seemed that she received no more help than any older woman might need.
The minister and family talked for about 40 minutes about the deceased. During this time, the weather went from warm and calm to chilly and windy. My nose began to run and the wind blowing in my face caused my eyes to water. I became very conscious of the dribble that threatened to exit my nose. I eventually had to reach up and wipe. I couldn't bear the thought of presenting the flag with a runny nose. I quickly used the back of my glove, near the wrist when someone on the far side of the crowd spoke and drew the attention of the everyone. To make matters worse, right after this, I had to fight off a sneeze. I nearly lost, but I did manage to stifle it.
When the minister finished, I moved forward to the head of the casket and saluted. The bugler played and when he finished, he came to the foot and we secured the flag. As I've said before, this Sailor has done many funerals and is very good at folding the flag. The problem we ran into today was that this flags dimensions were slightly different from the ones we usually practice with and fold in ceremonies. Between that and the win, we nearly came up short at the end of the fold. I had to really pull on the leftover material to make it tuck in and hide the white end of the flag. We managed (barely) and then I moved forward to present the flag.
When I came to the widow, she didn't look at me and she didn't raise her hands and I was still unaware that she was blind. Her granddaughter picked her hands up and told her that I was handing the flag to her. I began talking just as the situation dawned on me. Her eyes did rise to my face as she heard my voice and I was able to say the line to her, but it was difficult. I gave the flag to her and saluted one last time. I then marched to the side of the crowd and waited for the service to be concluded.
When the minister came back to the front of the crowd, I could hear the woman crying as she said, 'I can't see it!' She was referring to the flag that she held in her hands. Her head was bowed as if she was studying it, but she repeated that she couldn't see it and continued to cry. I was very nearly overcome by emotion at that point and I think that the ministers voice is the only thing that saved me. He called for a final prayer and concluded the ceremony. I quickly performed an about face and marched off. My eyes were still burning and I was glad for the first time for the brisk wind in my face. I didn't turn around to face the bugler until we'd made it all the way down to the parking lot and I'd recovered. I actually had no fear of him seeing me, I just didn't want to have to tell him what happened until I was sure I could. And at that point, I don't think I could have found my voice.
I've said before that I feel honored to be able to do this duty. That is still very true, but I will be relieved when my two months is done.