Honoring a fallen soldier

We held a ceremony today for a fallen soldier. He was 29 years old. Most of our large company was able to attend, along with a couple of generals, all the battalion commanders and their sergeants major, and even some Air Force representatives.

After an invocation and the national anthem, the soldier’s company commander spoke, followed by the soldier’s supervisor and his roommate. All the speakers knew the soldier, and spoke movingly of his dedication, love of service, how their lives were enriched by knowing him, and of how much he will be missed.

They held a roll call for the soldier. The company First Sergeant called roll of the soldier’s section by rank and last name, and each soldier responded “Here, First Sergeant.” When the First Sergeant came to the fallen soldier’s name, of course there was no answer. The 1SGT called his name again, adding his first name to his rank and last name. After a moment of silence, the 1SGT called his name a third time, using the soldier’s full name, first, middle and last. After a brief silence, someone answered “The soldier is out of ranks First Sergeant.” From outside we then heard a 21 gun salute, three rounds of seven rifles, followed by taps.

In closing, all the soldiers, starting with the generals, moved into the aisle fronted by a helmet on a rifle, with boots at the bottom. In threes and fours, all the soldiers approached the memorial and delivered a slow salute, then executed a right face and marched out.

The soldier had been a Marine for several years, and the program handout proudly featured the Marine Corps Motto, and the Eagle, Globe and Anchor of which Marines are so rightly proud. The soldier had volunteered to serve with our unit. Semper Fidelis.