Troop Weblog

Honors to a Fallen Soldier

O God, Thou art my God, earnestly will I seek Thee; my soul thirsteth for Thee, my flesh longeth for Thee, in a dry and weary land, where no water is.
So have I looked for Thee in the sanctuary, to see Thy power and Thy glory.
For Thy loving kindness is better than life; my lips shall praise Thee.
So will I bless Thee as long as I live; in Thy name will I lift up my hands.
My soul is satisfied as with marrow and fatness; and my mouth doth praise Thee with joyful lips;
When I remember Thee upon my couch, and meditate on Thee in the night-watches.
For Thou hast been my help, and in the shadow of Thy wings do I rejoice.
My soul cleaveth unto Thee; Thy right hand holdeth me fast.
But those that seek my soul, to destroy it, shall go into the nethermost parts of the earth.
They shall be hurled to the power of the sword; they shall be a portion for foxes.
But the king shall rejoice in God; every one that sweareth by Him shall glory; for the mouth of them that speak lies shall be stopped.
~Psalm 63

Those were the words spoken over the top of a coffin, draped with the National Colors, and surrounded by fellow soldiers in the back of a C-130.

Yesterday afternoon I was at Baghdad International Airport dropping off some Distinguished Visitors when we were told that the aircraft currently on the flight line was preparing to receive the remains of a fallen U.S. soldier and carry him home. They offered for us to join the Honor Guard and we humbly accepted.

I have never been so moved.

Even the Taps ceremonies at West Point, the Corps of Cadets silently arriving on the Plain, shrouded in fog, to witness the final taps for a fallen cadet and then the haunting notes of Amazing Grace played on the bagpipes, did not affect me as deeply as this simple ceremony. Perhaps, because the Cadets who died while I was at West Point were all taken from us by accidents and sickness; whereas, the Sergeant whom we honored yesterday gave the last full measure of his life to protect his friends, his unit and his country.