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PHILIPPINE SEA – The Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson (CVN 70) held the time-honored tradition of a Burial at Sea for 30 prior service members, Nov. 22.
“It is important to honor those who have gone before us and their service and sacrifice,” said Cmdr. Carl Muehler, the ship’s Chaplain. “Whether a person served two years or 40 years, that service made a difference, and it is important to honor that service and treat them with dignity and respect.”
In earlier history, sea burials were conducted for practical reasons due to the unfeasibility of transporting deceased personnel back to land when out to sea for extended periods of time. Nowadays, they represent the last wishes of service members to be committed to the deep.
The ceremony can be held on any U.S. Naval vessel requested by the prior service member. At the end of the ceremony, before the folded National Ensign is given to the commanding officer, seven riflemen commanded by a petty officer in charge, take aim and fire. Repeated twice more, this ceremony is commonly known as a 21-gun salute.
According to the U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, gun salutes can be traced back to the European dynastic wars, when firing was halted to remove the dead and wounded from the battlefield. The firing of three volleys served as a signal for fighting to resume. Centuries ago, gun salutes at funerals were closely tied to superstition and often intended to drive away evil spirits. Shots are traditionally fired in odd numbers purportedly stemming from an ancient belief that even numbers bring bad luck. Today, gun salutes are customary in military funeral ceremonies.
“There were two service members who were on the Vinson in the past who we committed to the sea today,” said Religious Personnel Specialist 1st Class Petty Officer Justin Alvarado. For their families, this ceremony bore a special significance, as their loved ones were given a final sendoff in Vinson’s second Burial at Sea ceremony this year.
The ocean gleamed in the distance behind six sailors solemnly flanking a casket draped in a crisp American flag. In the hangar bay, sailors formed a line next to a table holding 29 urns containing the ashes of other past service members. The commanding officer, executive officer, command master chief, and chaplain took their places on the aircraft elevator, and the Burial at Sea commenced.
”Each one is unique and special. What stands out for me are the sailors,” said Muehler. “They see it as an honor to be a part of the ceremony and approach their role with humility and respect. They are displaying the core values of honor and commitment to those who have gone before and their families and their service and sacrifice.”
After the pallbearers carried the casket to the edge of the hangar bay elevator, they removed and ceremoniously folded the National Ensign. The casket was then sent to the sea.
Chief Religious Personnel Specialist Benjamin Sheets believes the part of the ceremony requiring the most coordination to be the final salute each person receives prior to being committed to the sea. Through all the Burials at Sea he has participated in, he said this is the part of the ceremony that continues to pull at his heart.
Intricately carved cases, finely crafted boxes with names beveled into them, and colorful ceramic urns were taken one at a time after the casket. After the rank, name and branch of the deceased was called, everyone rendered a salute. Sailors from Vinson of similar ranks to each deceased carefully moved the urns to the ramp at the edge of the hangar bay elevator. One at a time, each sailor stepped back from the ramp and honored the deceased with one final salute before two chaplain personnel sent the urns into the ocean.
“Many people choose to be buried at sea to be reunited with lost friends,” stated Sheets. “Others just wish to return to the sea one last time.”
Silence settled in, and waves crashed against the hull of the 200,000-pound aircraft carrier as the petty officer in charge shouted commands. The seven gunners took aim and fired. They reloaded and fired again. Once more, they reloaded and fired. Chambers emptied, and shells cascaded to the deck, the sound drowned out by the ocean.
“I think that more people should attend the ceremony to see what it’s like,” said Alvarado. “There’s not a lot of people that know we do this. It’s a good way to think about what we’re doing in the Navy and how we are able to give back to those who have served.”
After the three volleys, hands held their salutes as taps echoed from a trumpet. Colors were rendered as tiny black specks contrasted the diamond-bright reflections of the sun against the ocean. The service members from the past floated away to the distant horizon — not forgotten, but honored forever with a Burial at Sea.
“To those currently serving, it is a reminder that we are a part of a legacy and tradition, and a part of something bigger than ourselves,” said Muehler.
| Date Taken: | 12.09.2024 |
| Date Posted: | 12.18.2024 03:49 |
| Story ID: | 486967 |
| Location: | PHILIPPINE SEA |
| Web Views: | 12 |
| Downloads: | 0 |
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