One of the hardest parts of my job

Last weekend, just before Thanksgiving, one of my soldiers passed away. It was not a combat related death, rather it was due to an extended illness, but all the same, it felt that one of our family had left us. We are always sad to see soldiers with whom we have spent the last month, year, or in some cases, several years leave the battalion as they PCS (Permanent Change of Station) or ETS (End Term of Service), but it is heartbreaking when one of our own passes from this life to the next. She passed away on Saturday evening, and come Sunday morning, many of us were at work, making all the plans and preparations for her family, her funeral, and her memorial service. For me and that chaplain, that meant visiting with the family, since they were on-Island with her, and preparing a memorial service or ceremony. Normally, these services are held about a week after soldier's death, but because of the Thanksgiving holiday, we held hers on Tuesday morning. This was my first ever memorial service, and so I was learning my job as we went along. There were a few confusions and mix-ups, but in the end the service went beautifully. We rendered full military honors, with the last roll call, the playing of taps, and the final volley of the rifles. After the last volley, there is a silence in the air that grips at every heart present, then the battalion commander and official party render honor, a final slow drawn-out salute directed towards the memorial stand, consisting of the soldier's boots, rifle, helmet, and dog tags. That's the part that got me. I was standing off to the side running the soundboard, preparing to make the closing announcement, and I got a little choked up for a second, as I saw the emotional honors given by my command, and then her husband and children came forward. Fortunately, I was able to hold my composure, because, especially knowing this soldier, and having worked with her made it so personal to me.

I am thankful though, that I know how hard these ceremonies are to conduct, so that, God-forbid, if we have to perform one in Iraq, I will be a little more prepared. This is the sort of task that you pray you don't have to become proficient in though.


On a lighter note, I sign out on leave in 7 hours. My flight leaves Honolulu in 24 hours. And I arrive in Pittsburgh to visit my friends and family in about 36 hours. I am very happy to have this time to visit and relax before I head over to Iraq. Life is going to be even more stressful over there, and so I'm going to need my energy and strength to make it through a year there.