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USS PRINCETON, At Sea - The ceremonial guardsmen aboard the Ticonderoga-class guided missile cruiser USS Princeton (CG-59) possess the solemn honor of performing burial-at-sea ceremonies for veteran Sailors. For some Sailors, it is the proudest moment in their career.
“I chose to join the Navy’s ceremonial guard while in boot camp because I found out that the duty station was near my hometown in Washington, D.C.,” said Princeton’s ceremonial coordinator, Information Systems Technician 3rd Class William J. Francy. “After a while I learned to really enjoy and honor the work that I was doing and wanted to continue that work aboard Princeton.”
For some, a funeral doesn’t always bring tears of sorrow, but it does leave feelings of respect and honor.
“During the preparations I go through the documents and I read the histories of the deceased,” said Francy. “I start to feel a connection with that Sailor. I notice the similarities we share and I respect them for who they are and what they did in the Navy.”
For others, the ceremonial guard is part of their normal duties.
“I am a member of the ceremonial guard because I am the command Master-at-Arms. Burial-at-sea ceremonies are one of my many duties,” said Chief Master-at-Arms Marina Chavez. “If I wasn’t the command Master-at-Arms, I would volunteer to be a member because it is such an honor for me. I have a tremendous amount of respect for the deceased and for their accomplishments throughout their naval careers.”
Whether the ceremonial guard is a collateral duty or a work requirement, Sailors aboard Princeton feel honored to have had the opportunity to participate in a burial-at-sea ceremony.
“I feel very privileged to have had these experiences,” said Chavez. “I know I never knew the deceased but I have learned from reading about their history in the Navy and am proud to serve with and after them.”
| Date Taken: | 12.09.2015 |
| Date Posted: | 12.12.2015 11:11 |
| Story ID: | 184343 |
| Location: | USS PRINCETON, AT SEA |
| Web Views: | 48 |
| Downloads: | 1 |
This work, Ceremonial privilege: Respect and honor aboard USS Princeton, by PO1 Eric Coffer, identified by DVIDS, must comply with the restrictions shown on https://www.dvidshub.net/about/copyright.
