Funeral Detail
Being in the funeral detail for me means so much, it is an honor and it makes me feel humble and proud to be part of this persons final moment. I’d lie if I say it isn’t sad or that I don’t feel like crying while the ceremony is going on, in some holding my bearing is one of the hardest things to do. I joined the funeral detail on June 17 2011 but didn’t get orders until Jan of 2012. I remember the first funeral I went to they posted us around the family at parade rest. I remember the look in their faces as the rifles were going off and the playing of Taps. When I first joined the detail I was on for a couple of months then I went on leave for the holidays, that’s when my view on the funeral detail changed. Two days after we arrived El Paso my grandpa passed away, this was the first time I lost a family member really close to me. Although he wasn’t a military member and didn’t get military honors it still impact me in a big way, it gave me a bigger view on how it must feel to be sitting at Miramar National Cemetery watching us stand there at parade rest or firing rifles or folding he flag or hearing the bittersweet sound of taps playing.. When I came back I was looking forward to going to my first funeral since I got back. Its been over a year since my grandpa passed away but every funeral I go to I strive to do my best as I would do if it was my grandpa in that casket or urn. So in conclusion, being part of the Funeral Detail is a big part of my Marine