USS Monterey Conducts Burial at Sea
We did a few of these on the ship I was on. My view, when that time comes, is to take all the parts ya need and dump the rest in the Pacific.
USS Monterey, At Sea - USS Monterey (CG 61) Sailors held a burial at sea ceremony on the ship’s fantail, April 17.
The services were conducted by Monterey’s Executive Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Todd Boehm, and the committal and benediction were given by Monterey's Chaplain, Lt. Jason Hefner. An honor platoon of 15 Sailors in dress blue uniforms stood in ranks to honor the deceased.
The ashes of six veterans and one veteran and spouse were committed to the sea during the morning ceremony. The traditional 21-gun salute given by Monterey’s honor guard led by the ship’s gunnery officer, Ensign William Adkins, punctuated each burial. “Taps” was played at the end of each service as participants and attendees looked on.
Monterey’s Chief Master-at-Arms (SW) Brian Renkema was the flag bearer, Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Hari Singh served as the presenter and Capt. Robert Oldani, the commanding officer, received the ensign on behalf of the families.
Several of the service members buried were World War II and Vietnam veterans.
“Any time that we are a part of an event like this lets you know a couple of things,” Renkema said. “These are warriors who have requested to be buried as they were in the prime of their lives. It also lets us know that they were where we are today; fighting for freedom and providing peace as quickly as possible.”
Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Michael Tolbert wrote each eulogy and committed each member’s ashes to the sea.
“I think the ceremonies went very, very well,” Tolbert said. “I know these families will be proud to know that their loved ones have been laid to rest with grace and dignity in one of the Navy’s most time-honored traditions.”
Families of the deceased will be given photos and video of the ceremony, a navigational chart with the exact coordinates of the burial and a letter of condolence from Oldani.
Tolbert said he felt the services were poignant closings to each member’s lives.
“I love these services, because I love knowing that in this service member’s existence, an entire ship is turning their attention to honoring them and highlighting their life’s achievements.” said Tolbert.
Monterey is operating in the Caribbean Sea as part of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group, conducting “Partnership of the Americas,” a training and readiness deployment of U.S. Naval forces with countries from the Caribbean and Latin America, in support of U.S. Southern Command objectives for enhanced maritime security.
USS Monterey, At Sea - USS Monterey (CG 61) Sailors held a burial at sea ceremony on the ship’s fantail, April 17.
The services were conducted by Monterey’s Executive Officer, Lt. Cmdr. Todd Boehm, and the committal and benediction were given by Monterey's Chaplain, Lt. Jason Hefner. An honor platoon of 15 Sailors in dress blue uniforms stood in ranks to honor the deceased.
The ashes of six veterans and one veteran and spouse were committed to the sea during the morning ceremony. The traditional 21-gun salute given by Monterey’s honor guard led by the ship’s gunnery officer, Ensign William Adkins, punctuated each burial. “Taps” was played at the end of each service as participants and attendees looked on.
Monterey’s Chief Master-at-Arms (SW) Brian Renkema was the flag bearer, Command Master Chief (SW/AW) Hari Singh served as the presenter and Capt. Robert Oldani, the commanding officer, received the ensign on behalf of the families.
Several of the service members buried were World War II and Vietnam veterans.
“Any time that we are a part of an event like this lets you know a couple of things,” Renkema said. “These are warriors who have requested to be buried as they were in the prime of their lives. It also lets us know that they were where we are today; fighting for freedom and providing peace as quickly as possible.”
Religious Program Specialist 2nd Class (SW) Michael Tolbert wrote each eulogy and committed each member’s ashes to the sea.
“I think the ceremonies went very, very well,” Tolbert said. “I know these families will be proud to know that their loved ones have been laid to rest with grace and dignity in one of the Navy’s most time-honored traditions.”
Families of the deceased will be given photos and video of the ceremony, a navigational chart with the exact coordinates of the burial and a letter of condolence from Oldani.
Tolbert said he felt the services were poignant closings to each member’s lives.
“I love these services, because I love knowing that in this service member’s existence, an entire ship is turning their attention to honoring them and highlighting their life’s achievements.” said Tolbert.
Monterey is operating in the Caribbean Sea as part of the George Washington Carrier Strike Group, conducting “Partnership of the Americas,” a training and readiness deployment of U.S. Naval forces with countries from the Caribbean and Latin America, in support of U.S. Southern Command objectives for enhanced maritime security.
posted by Hujonwi at 01:25
2 Comments:
I didn't know the Navy did this for vets. Very moving.
Ya, for former squids and jar heads. Not sure if they do it for any of the other services but it wouldn't suprise me if they did.
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