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gryph89
04-11-2008, 10:06 AM
Well, last week my Grandfather passed away (but this thread isn't based on a feel sorry for you basis) He was with the 11th Airborn and did alotta campaigns, so, he kept telling us he had a nice piece of land set out when he passed.

NEvertheless, yesterday, spending a grueling 4 and a half hour following a superbus full of family members and making numerous stops at Burger Shit (King) and Roy Crap (Rogers) for pee breaks, I decided to floor it and pass this dumb bus so I'm not going 45 MPH on a 65 MPH highway anymore.

Blasting music to keep me sane, seriously, in a car by myself just driving gets pretty damn boring. Four and a Half hours later, we pull into Virginia and make our way to Arlington, I pull in there first, before my family members due to my speeding, and the front gate's closed, I tell them I'm here for my Grandfather's funeral and he gives me directions on where to park.

Outta my car...I really was speechless, not only did this place have such a heavenly beauty, but it was...just errie in a sense, rows and rows of white stones with names.

So the bus finally arrives after me, and a good 5 seconds of whispered scolding from my parents about reckless driving, we wait in the Administrations office and we're told we can go out now, we follow the hearse to Eisenhower Dr. Section 59. We pull out and 6 men from the Army arrive and take the casket.

Guys I'm telling ya, it was something else, it really was, they had 2 bugle players playing taps, so you feel like this echoed effect in your ears, and over the hill you can see the Washington Monument, 7 soldiers sitting up on a hill, each shooting 3 shots. Like, just that scene...I don't think can ever be replicated in any movie, it really can't. After most of it was done, I think it was a Major, couldn't be sure, didn't get a good look at his bars. He handed my uncle Matty a folded up flag, and said his lines. You know...those lines "Mr. Pike on behalf of the United States Of America I offer you this flag in return for the honor your Matthew Pike has bestowed upon this Country."

So, have any of you fools ever been to Arlington, and physically became speechless like me? It's kinda weird, me and father can say "Yeah, me and my son smoked a cigarette on the waterfront of Arlington National Cemetary" it was just flat out awesome...

And don't get me started on the fucking ride home...

Lord Sesshomaru
04-11-2008, 11:30 AM
Burger King = Booger Fling

Apocalypse0375
04-11-2008, 12:13 PM
How was the ride home? :)

KBHoleN1
04-11-2008, 12:33 PM
Sounds like a really cool scene. A burial like that is a huge honor to be bestowed upon someone, you can be really proud of your grandfather for his service.

I'll share a short story about a guy I work with, he's probably in his fifties. His dad passed away, and they had to plan the funeral on short notice. The deceased man's wife wanted a military burial, due to his years of service. The guy I know called a gentleman at Ft Bragg and inquired about funeral services for the weekend. He said they were booked solid, and couldn't accommodate, but as a courtesy he asked him what rank his father had achieved. When the word general was uttered (I forget how many stars), the guy on the phone changed his tune real quick, and he was buried 2 days later with a full military funeral. The military really takes care of their own.

AlabamaBoy
04-11-2008, 12:38 PM
I'm glad you enjoyed it gryph.

My grandfather flew forty-two combat missions in WWII, we ended up doing a quiet funeral in his home town.

The Coder
04-11-2008, 03:08 PM
No, I've never been there


>.>
<.<

_Thunder_
04-11-2008, 05:45 PM
I live in Arlington, its a facinating place.

Shiznit
04-11-2008, 05:50 PM
Sounds interesting..

Sorry to hear about your loss.

The Coder
04-11-2008, 08:28 PM
I live in Arlington, its a facinating place.

Pfft not in VA.

By the way, did you get to see the changing of the guard? It's a bunch of people standing there silently watching as minimal changes occur. And the guards are all paired based on height.

gryph89
04-11-2008, 09:05 PM
Pfft not in VA.

By the way, did you get to see the changing of the guard? It's a bunch of people standing there silently watching as minimal changes occur. And the guards are all paired based on height.

Nah, I never caught that.

Hugh Junit
04-12-2008, 10:19 AM
Sounds pretty amazing.
I've talked to people who have been there, but I never have.
It's on my list.
I'm sorry about your grandpa, gryph. Thanks for sharing the story.

Faulty Logic
04-12-2008, 10:30 AM
I live In Alexandria... Northern Va is such a beautiful place man. Arlington Cem. is breathtaking.

BTw for future reference, No Va is way diff than the rest of VA.

but anyways, my condolences man, I'm glad he got a full service.

The Coder
04-12-2008, 11:50 PM
I live In Alexandria... Northern Va is such a beautiful place man. Arlington Cem. is breathtaking.

BTw for future reference, No Va is way diff than the rest of VA.

but anyways, my condolences man, I'm glad he got a full service.

Yup. NVA = Liberal
VA = Conservative.

sooner4life
04-14-2008, 12:13 AM
I went there, and it didn't really tug on my emotions. Probably because I didn't go threw a funeral there, or see one happening.

Geoffrey
04-14-2008, 12:32 AM
When my grandpa passed away 4 years ago the funeral was simply amazing. He was incredibly high up in the Airforce, flew over 110 flights in the WWII, my great uncle did the same, they are both in an Australia military calendar. My great uncles body was never found, he died flying over japan. My grandpa's funeral was simply perfect, we arrived got out of the limo and we walked about 100m's to be met by 3 Major's and a General, We walked the slow 200m's to the funeral centre, with the tune of The Last post being played by army members walking on the edge of the walkway. It was simply amazing, I have never felt so much respect for Australia military. The casket was carried by 6 Army men, and when he was lowered down, we where presented the flag that was on his casket. I will never forget the feeling of that day in my entire life.

If you American's don't know what the Last Post is it is;
In military tradition, the Last Post is the bugle call that signifies the end of the day's activities. It is also sounded at military funerals and commemorative services such as ANZAC Day and Remembrance Day to indicate that the soldier has gone to his final rest.

And you can listen to it here;
http://www.awm.gov.au/commemoration/last_post.htm

Scorpionz
04-14-2008, 01:57 AM
It's amazing. My Grandfather used to be a Brigadier General in the army during Vietnam. He always wants me to go to the parades.

I'll be sure to go to this years ANZAC parade.