Sad photos but they should be seen

kristov

This is a series of DoD photos which show the handling of the remains and burial of those brave Americans who died in in the war against terror. Please, no matter what your feelings (and I have a few myself), show respect for these dead Americans by not bickering in this post about why we are doing what we are doing in Iraq and Afganistan.
http://www.defenselink.mil/home/Specials/foia/

Question to those in or retired from the US Navy. The first three photos appear to show a burial at sea. Is this common?

Warbirds

The burial at sea can be requested in your will that is filled out prior to deploying. I have only actually been at sea during one and it was when a Master Chief passed away in his sleep 4 days before flying off the boat to retire. The Navy contacted family members of the Master Chief and flew his wife and children out to the boat. I distinctly remember this because all of the arrangements and the ceremony delayed our pulling into port by several days. At the time we were not in a war zone, we were in the waters between Guam and North Korea.

Thanks for sharing the photos'.

CLINTF

Former U.S. Navy combat, disabled, or retired veterans(like me) can request a burial at sea. It is ultimately up to the commanding officer whether or not they will let it take place from their ship. I have witnessed several and have never heard of a C.O. refusing unless it was a major conflict with their deployment schedule.

p3skyking

I did a number of ash scatterings off the California coast. Except for one pilot and one flight engineer at the controls, the whole crew participated. It was formal, dignified, and the Bible was read.
Any veteran may request this.