A final salute for one who served

Have you ever envisioned your funeral? How many people would be there? Would they be sad?

Not at all a question of narcissism, really, but a gauge of the imprint left on your community.

Right?

Wrong.

Recently, there was a funeral with no mourners and no family. No one searched their pockets for a tissue, or blinked away a tear except a small group of funeral and cemetery employees, three soldiers, and a solitary man with a flag.

This was the funeral of a veteran who fought for our country and died alone…alone!

Friend and Patriot Guard Rider Terry Longpre told me about this shameful situation:

“This is the second time I have done one of these burials at Sarasota. Next Wednesday they will bury two Vietnam Veterans who were also indigent and, God willing, I will be there.

I attended one of these burials at Bay Pines Veterans Hospital and Cemetery a few months back and we buried 14 Veterans that day. Bay Pines only does one service a month; Sarasota is going to do each one individually as the need arises.”

Terry wrote to me to get the word out that there are veterans going to their final resting place unnoticed; their funeral a ritual with no mourners.

“If you find it in your heart, attend one of these services; it will change your life, forever. These people served our country, going into harm’s way for all of us. We should not allow them to be buried alone.”

I agree.

At the Sarasota National Cemetery on Wednesday, two Vietnam Veterans will be laid to rest. If you can find the time, go make a difference for two men who made a difference for you.

--Tiffany

provided photo

_________

From a very proud father, Michael Griffin:

Robert M.B Griffin
U.S. Navy
STG3/ Petty Officer 3rd Class
Yokosuka Japan, USS Cowpens (CG-63)
UCF Grad 2007

Thank you for your service, Sailor.

_________

Around the military:

Cpl. Scott J. Olson, a Mankato, Minn., native, loads ammunition before firing his rifle on the flight deck of USS Bonhomme Richard Nov. 12. Olson and other Marines with Headquarters and Support Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit are embarked aboard amphibious ships conducting maritime security operations in the 5th Fleet area of operations. photo by Cpl. Jeffrey Belovarac

A U.S. Marine sounds Taps during a wreath-laying ceremony at the Marine Corps Memorial to honor the 234th anniversary of the U.S. Marine Corps in Arlington, Va., Nov. 10, 2009.U.S. Navy photo by Petty Officer 2nd Class Kevin S. O'Brien

Marines with Weapons Company, Battalion Landing Team 2/4, 11th Marine Expeditionary Unit, fire at targets on the flight deck of USS Bonhomme Richard Nov. 12. The San Diego-based unit is embarked aboard amphibious ships conducting maritime security operations in the 5th Fleet area of operations. photo by Sgt. Scott Biscuiti