B
BostonsJ
Guest
There are some events in your life that you will never forget. Today was one of those events for me. I am humbled to have stood beside so many great Soldiers in honor of one of their heroes.
Today 90 year old Brigadier General Felix Sparks was laid to rest at our cemetery. After a 2 hour full military worship service at a Public Center, which plans were coordinated with the National Guard, The Dept. of the Army and our Mortuary, there was a full Military Committal at our Cemetery.
General Sparks was a Lt. Colonel when he led the 157 Infantry Battalion into Dachau Concentration Camp liberating it on April 29th, 1945. He was a true war hero from all history accounts. He later served in tens of public elected and appointed positions including as a Supreme Court Justice.
My day…. my thoughts and emotions…….Immediately after arriving at work a short 8am meeting to determine staffing and coverage. 8:15 am nine hostesses,(me among them) and 1 host, met to discuss our plans. I have to say everyone stepped up to the plate. The dress code was full formal, black suit (skirt or pant) white dress shirt, tuxedo shirts with full cuffs were worn by most, black hose and necktie or optional scarf with the colors gold, black, white and red. Everyone looked sensational. And most said they went the extra mile because of the honor to serve this man, and what he had done for our Country and the State.
By 8:30 we loaded into vans, the Military was already making a sweep of the grounds and buildings, the Howitzer was positioned a block from where the service would be held, maps in hand we were given our position and instructions. The police from our City and County were throughout the cemetery often times stopping to say hello to us and ask for clarifications etc. All staging areas were mapped, we visited each one in order for us to clearly understand the plan so that we could direct the various military, press, and other organizations to the appropriate area. 9:30 we returned to the mortuary, finished up last minute details and waited in readiness. Lunch was 10am because we were not going to be back to the mortuary until after 2pm. At 10:45 am the call came that the religious service was ending and that we should take our posts. The day was sunny with a light wind and about 70 degrees. I am sunburned and it feels fantastic! I loved being part of this historical moment.
The general public. 11am the military in 4 buses , the Caparisoned Horse Wagon, vehicle after vehicle of soldiers of every branch of the military, the Patriot Guard, the Flag Guard from various County Police Departments, and the press all began to arrive. Our esplanade is ½ mile long, it leads to a mausoleum which is a historical building called the Tower of Memories. Outside the Tower is where the ceremony would take place. The esplanade was lined with American Flags, Military Flags and POW flags. The advance troops were standing ready, there were camouflaged military members throughout the cemetery stationed in very discrete places. It was unbelievable.
I am told that about 500 dignitaries and people attended the worship service. We guess maybe about 350 came to the committal service. We have protocol for moving people through our grounds and mortuary and the sensitivity we were dealing with today in coordinating all organizations was extreme. Throughout it all we are to remain poised, confident and friendly yet solemn in our purpose.
My cell phone rang to notify me that the motorcade was nearing. The protocol is that all employees including grounds, will stand at attention, arms behind their back, whenever a motorcade approaches. The motorcycle and Military guard approached, the Coach turned off to a designated staging area and the family cars passed by me and onward to the Tower. The family was taken inside and given refreshments until the service was ready to begin. When all cars had been directed and parked we walked to the Tower to watch the service. I will be forever grateful to have witnessed this service, I will probably never see another one so moving.
The All Military Flag team, followed by the Military Honor Guard,(who I personally work with on a daily basis) followed by the All Military Band, followed by the Caparisoned Horse began their march down the esplanade. The Caparisoned Horse a beautiful black stallion, on the blanket the star for the general, the bridle with highly polished silver, a sword hanging from the right side, and in the stirrups the soldier’s leather boots facing backwards. The horse led by an officer, the saddle empty. I had tears in my eyes and fought to compose myself. As a side note the Caparisoned Horse History. http://arlingtoncemetery.net/caparisoned.htm
The only sound you heard was one single tap on the drum as the soldiers marched to the beat. Men and women of all ranks and all so polished and so solemn. You could hear a pin drop. Along the route were military troops some in dress uniforms, some in fatigues all starched to the 9’s. There were military men and women lining the balcony of the Tower, and all along the route. And also the flag teams from various Police Departments in the Counties where General Sparks had served in some formal capacity. The Patriot Guard also, lining the route holding their flags. More on the Patriot Guard. http://www.patriotguard.org/
When we reached the tower the military at attention, the family was brought out of the tower to their seats. The Military Honor team was stationed, the Coach pulled out and the Honor Guard took its place on each side and behind the Coach. The Coach moved only about 2MPH up the route and stopped. The Army Chaplain said a brief prayer, and then explained protocol. The Band played 3 Patriotic Songs and then the order was given to remove the flag draped casket from the Coach. I can’t even explain to you how proud I was to watch that honor guard as they proudly removed the casket from the Coach, turning on command and marched it to the church stand. Again, not a sound to be heard except for the commands being given. The flag was undraped from the casket and for the next 20 minutes the Honor Guard stood totally motionless holding it unfurled about 8 inches over the casket. That is not an easy task with a breeze blowing but they didn’t move.
There was another song played, prayers, and then from a distance of about ¼ mile away the Volley of the Cannon. Then the 21 gun salute, the team standing on the balcony of the tower above the family the General just below them. The bugler played taps, which always brings me to tears. But watching every soldier slowly, deliberately bring up their hand to salute so awe inspiring. The flag was then methodically but lovingly folded, and presented to the widow by a 2 star General. There were several Generals in attendance. From my vantage point I could see the Black Hawk Helicopters circling in the distance. I was standing next to the Officer who gave the radio command for the Helicopters to come in. And boy did they ever.
Four Blackhawk Helicopters came in right over the tree tops; they were part of the Cobra Team. There was a roar and they suddenly were above us, I could see the men and women inside. They passed overhead and about two blocks away. Three went straight into the distance and away, but one turned toward the tower and behind it. It was flying very low. The copter went maybe about ½ mile away, and then turned and came at us with such intensity it was flying really fast….., a soldier suspended from a harness and over our heads again the lone missing man formation copter flew Zig Zagging as it went away into the distance. And it was gone and so too was the formal service. I was teary eyed and had goose bumps. The service was dismissed and there was a private burial for the family and some military officers. A reception was held at our Center which we all served..
I was so honored to serve at this funeral service. It was a very proud day for the Military. The troops said farewell to a hero, and they did their Brigadier General very proud.
Here is a link to a few pictures. http://s49.photobucket.com/albums/f275/judithj2/Funeral/
Today 90 year old Brigadier General Felix Sparks was laid to rest at our cemetery. After a 2 hour full military worship service at a Public Center, which plans were coordinated with the National Guard, The Dept. of the Army and our Mortuary, there was a full Military Committal at our Cemetery.
General Sparks was a Lt. Colonel when he led the 157 Infantry Battalion into Dachau Concentration Camp liberating it on April 29th, 1945. He was a true war hero from all history accounts. He later served in tens of public elected and appointed positions including as a Supreme Court Justice.
My day…. my thoughts and emotions…….Immediately after arriving at work a short 8am meeting to determine staffing and coverage. 8:15 am nine hostesses,(me among them) and 1 host, met to discuss our plans. I have to say everyone stepped up to the plate. The dress code was full formal, black suit (skirt or pant) white dress shirt, tuxedo shirts with full cuffs were worn by most, black hose and necktie or optional scarf with the colors gold, black, white and red. Everyone looked sensational. And most said they went the extra mile because of the honor to serve this man, and what he had done for our Country and the State.
By 8:30 we loaded into vans, the Military was already making a sweep of the grounds and buildings, the Howitzer was positioned a block from where the service would be held, maps in hand we were given our position and instructions. The police from our City and County were throughout the cemetery often times stopping to say hello to us and ask for clarifications etc. All staging areas were mapped, we visited each one in order for us to clearly understand the plan so that we could direct the various military, press, and other organizations to the appropriate area. 9:30 we returned to the mortuary, finished up last minute details and waited in readiness. Lunch was 10am because we were not going to be back to the mortuary until after 2pm. At 10:45 am the call came that the religious service was ending and that we should take our posts. The day was sunny with a light wind and about 70 degrees. I am sunburned and it feels fantastic! I loved being part of this historical moment.
The general public. 11am the military in 4 buses , the Caparisoned Horse Wagon, vehicle after vehicle of soldiers of every branch of the military, the Patriot Guard, the Flag Guard from various County Police Departments, and the press all began to arrive. Our esplanade is ½ mile long, it leads to a mausoleum which is a historical building called the Tower of Memories. Outside the Tower is where the ceremony would take place. The esplanade was lined with American Flags, Military Flags and POW flags. The advance troops were standing ready, there were camouflaged military members throughout the cemetery stationed in very discrete places. It was unbelievable.
I am told that about 500 dignitaries and people attended the worship service. We guess maybe about 350 came to the committal service. We have protocol for moving people through our grounds and mortuary and the sensitivity we were dealing with today in coordinating all organizations was extreme. Throughout it all we are to remain poised, confident and friendly yet solemn in our purpose.
My cell phone rang to notify me that the motorcade was nearing. The protocol is that all employees including grounds, will stand at attention, arms behind their back, whenever a motorcade approaches. The motorcycle and Military guard approached, the Coach turned off to a designated staging area and the family cars passed by me and onward to the Tower. The family was taken inside and given refreshments until the service was ready to begin. When all cars had been directed and parked we walked to the Tower to watch the service. I will be forever grateful to have witnessed this service, I will probably never see another one so moving.
The All Military Flag team, followed by the Military Honor Guard,(who I personally work with on a daily basis) followed by the All Military Band, followed by the Caparisoned Horse began their march down the esplanade. The Caparisoned Horse a beautiful black stallion, on the blanket the star for the general, the bridle with highly polished silver, a sword hanging from the right side, and in the stirrups the soldier’s leather boots facing backwards. The horse led by an officer, the saddle empty. I had tears in my eyes and fought to compose myself. As a side note the Caparisoned Horse History. http://arlingtoncemetery.net/caparisoned.htm
The only sound you heard was one single tap on the drum as the soldiers marched to the beat. Men and women of all ranks and all so polished and so solemn. You could hear a pin drop. Along the route were military troops some in dress uniforms, some in fatigues all starched to the 9’s. There were military men and women lining the balcony of the Tower, and all along the route. And also the flag teams from various Police Departments in the Counties where General Sparks had served in some formal capacity. The Patriot Guard also, lining the route holding their flags. More on the Patriot Guard. http://www.patriotguard.org/
When we reached the tower the military at attention, the family was brought out of the tower to their seats. The Military Honor team was stationed, the Coach pulled out and the Honor Guard took its place on each side and behind the Coach. The Coach moved only about 2MPH up the route and stopped. The Army Chaplain said a brief prayer, and then explained protocol. The Band played 3 Patriotic Songs and then the order was given to remove the flag draped casket from the Coach. I can’t even explain to you how proud I was to watch that honor guard as they proudly removed the casket from the Coach, turning on command and marched it to the church stand. Again, not a sound to be heard except for the commands being given. The flag was undraped from the casket and for the next 20 minutes the Honor Guard stood totally motionless holding it unfurled about 8 inches over the casket. That is not an easy task with a breeze blowing but they didn’t move.
There was another song played, prayers, and then from a distance of about ¼ mile away the Volley of the Cannon. Then the 21 gun salute, the team standing on the balcony of the tower above the family the General just below them. The bugler played taps, which always brings me to tears. But watching every soldier slowly, deliberately bring up their hand to salute so awe inspiring. The flag was then methodically but lovingly folded, and presented to the widow by a 2 star General. There were several Generals in attendance. From my vantage point I could see the Black Hawk Helicopters circling in the distance. I was standing next to the Officer who gave the radio command for the Helicopters to come in. And boy did they ever.
Four Blackhawk Helicopters came in right over the tree tops; they were part of the Cobra Team. There was a roar and they suddenly were above us, I could see the men and women inside. They passed overhead and about two blocks away. Three went straight into the distance and away, but one turned toward the tower and behind it. It was flying very low. The copter went maybe about ½ mile away, and then turned and came at us with such intensity it was flying really fast….., a soldier suspended from a harness and over our heads again the lone missing man formation copter flew Zig Zagging as it went away into the distance. And it was gone and so too was the formal service. I was teary eyed and had goose bumps. The service was dismissed and there was a private burial for the family and some military officers. A reception was held at our Center which we all served..
I was so honored to serve at this funeral service. It was a very proud day for the Military. The troops said farewell to a hero, and they did their Brigadier General very proud.
Here is a link to a few pictures. http://s49.photobucket.com/albums/f275/judithj2/Funeral/