Stand straight
Aug 23rd, 2007 | By art rogers | Category: Church, General Christian
Yesterday, I performed the funeral for a combat veteran from the “Forgotten War,” The Korean Conflict. I knew Lonnie Chaffin a little. I’ve only been here a year and his health did not allow him to come to church often. He was quiet, kind and gentle. That’s what I remember.
At 9:00 am we were milling around the War Memorial at Floral Haven Cemetery here in Tulsa. This is an area for funerals, but also where soldiers, sailors, airmen and marines are buried with special honor. Their decorations are noted on their grave markers. Fallen heroes of our nation.
I looked out from under the canopy as a row of American Flags, and one Oklahoma flag, flew almost taught from their poles at the entrance to the memorial. It was a striking sight as they fluttered in a mildly strong, but slightly cool, refreshing breeze. They stood in contrast against a bright, clear, blue sky with white, fluffy clouds in the background.
Bagpipes behind me began to play and instinctively, everyone came to attention. I noticed that I stood straight – almost at attention. As the honor guard escorted his flag draped casket to its position under the canopy, the family huddled on the benches before it, comforting one another.
A tear rolled down my left cheek.
I had this overwhelming sense that I needed to do the very best I could. Not just in the service. Everywhere. I always try to give my best to the families who are grieving. I felt that I needed to go home and work harder at everything to which I laid my hands.
I was there to pay tribute to a man who had risked his life, the future, the very existence of the family now gathered before his casket, to ensure that I had the ability to live and love and pursue happiness in our country.
The chaplain completes the military honors at the end of the service with some thoughts, honoring the life of a fallen sailor. The honor guard pulls tight the flag and begins to fold it. They pass it to one another, each saluting in turn. The sailor receives it and takes it to the widow, surrounded by her children, and kneels.
“On behalf of the President of the United States, and a grateful nation, I present this flag to you in honor of your husband …”
More tears on my cheek.
The bagpipes begin to play Amazing Grace, and I move to speak to the family. We are dismissed to the sounds of mournful pipes and the honor guard escort the casket to its final resting place.
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Art,
You have brought back many memories for me as I read of the funeral since I’ve done many over my years of ministry. There has always been something about a military funeral service that strikes the cord of patriotism and appreciation in me for those who serve in our military. I THINK I’m learning to live with a proper perspective of my citizenship here and there and not mix the two, or worse, confuse the two as being the same thing. I’m proud of my country and those who serve to keep her free but realize every person of every nation needs the message of our Christ unencumbered with a particular nationalism baggage. That’s our job and we will do it. But may we never loose what you’ve shared as your experience for people like Lonnie and the reminders that come with his death.
By the way, I’m one of those, regardless of the number, that check, read and am blessed daily by your blog. Thanks for it.
My wife’s father fought in “The Forgotten War.” He says little about it other than it was cold. He was shot on two occasions. He has medals, but no one can “find” them. He came home, went to work, became a Christian and brought up his family. He has been faithful to his Lord, his family, his nation and his work.
You, I and other brothers are now doing the funerals of those guys. Soon they will be gone. I do pray that their faithfulness is not “forgotten” along with the war they fought. I do pray that our generations, and those that follow, will “catch” their faithfulness and pass it on for the sake of our faith, families, nation and all the world.
May we all, when we hear those bagpipes, remember faithful men.
cb
As associate pastor of our church with responsibilities for senior adult ministry, I have had the privilege of conducting many funerals for WWII and Korean Conflict veterans where there was a military honor guard of either former or current servicemen and women. Like you, on practically every occasion I’ve found myself wiping away tears at one point or another during the ceremony. Sometimes it’s when a bugler plays the plaintive notes of “Taps.” Other times it has been when the honor guard fires the three volleys from their rifles. Most often though it has been when the head of the detail does as you have described, kneeling before the widow and delivering a crisply folded American flag with the words of thanks for that person’s service. I never cease to be moved by the sacrifices that the Builder Generation made for our country. Thanks for sharing your experience.
I echo the above comments and add this. I recently did a funeral for a WW2 veteran who was shot at the Battle of the Bulge and forced to march 10 miles to a hospital. I was moved by the story of his life but also saddened by the realization that this man was probably not a believer. While we often do not know the heart of those we bury, it spurred me to the determination that I must renew my efforts to witness to the men and women of these generations. They went above and beyond for my freedom; I should go above and beyond for their eternal freedom.
Did they do the 21-gun salute? That always scares me to death no matter how I prepare.
And, now that you’ve seen an honor guard fold the flag, you’ll always become tediously frustrated when you have to watch some well meaning funeral director and assistant fold one into an overstuffed paper football.
Powerful thoughts and memories all.
Fog – That was particularly moving. I feel similarly compelled.
Marty – They did a three shot volley, but from only three rifles, so is that a 9 gun salute? Anyway, it was LOUD.
Great post. I have done a few of these over the years and your depiction of this brought tears to my eyes as I remembered with you.
Odd how things such as this put life into focus for us!