NMLC Perfects Distinguished Form for Solemn Occasions

By Julius L. Evans, Naval Medical Logistics Command Public Affairs

FORT DETRICK, Md. (NNS) -- Naval Medical Logistics Command (NMLC) active duty personnel stationed at Fort Detrick, Md., participated in formal training on providing military funeral honors March 12.

Casualty assistance calls and funeral honors support coordination are governed by OPNAV Instruction 1770.1A which outlines the responsibilities for commands participating in the program. Various commands have responsibility for specific geographic locations.

"Funeral honors support is paying respect and final demonstration of our country's gratitude to those who have faithfully defended the nation," said Larry Marinelli, Funeral Honors specialist, Naval District Washington Casualty and Funeral Honors. "According to Department of Defense instructions, commanders at all levels must support paying a final tribute on behalf of a grateful nation to comrades-in-arms, and must respond expeditiously and sensitively to requests for military funeral support."

Instructions also dictate that a funeral honors detail shall, at a minimum, perform at the funeral a ceremony that includes folding the United States flag, a presentation of the flag to the veteran's family and the playing of Taps.

Headed by Capt. Mary S. Seymour, Naval Medical Logistics Command has provided military funeral honors support for more than 10 years and according to one participant, the role never gets easier.

"Whether a family member of the dearly departed or rendering honors as part of a funeral detail team, it hits home to us all," said Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class (SW) RaShawn T. Lynch, NMLC's training officer and a member of the Funeral Honors Detail. "I have great pride in what we do for the dearly departed and family. We train regularly to ensure we are spot-on with the presentation because there's only one chance to get this right."

While practice makes perfect, Marinelli explained how many funerals occur annually.

"Currently the combined Services provide an average of 250,000 funerals per year. The majority of those services are for those members who faithfully served during World War II," Marinelli said. "Today it is extremely difficult to provide for this number of funeral services because of stricter budgeting and reduction in manning levels. Not only Navy commands have a responsibility to fulfill their primary missions, we are also asking them to take on additional missions by participating in funeral honors."

"It's very important to be considerate and professional during these times as there are no take-backs or do-overs," Lynch said. "At any particular ceremony, the service member and family are at that one funeral and it's up to the funeral detail team to render military honors. It's a big deal and it means a lot for us to have the honor of performing these ceremonies."

When participating in Navy funeral honors, personnel are representing the United States Navy and the nation. For family members attending the service, this may be the last direct link and impression of the Navy they will receive.

"Navy funerals today are conducted and based on long standing customs and traditions dating as far back as the formation of the Continental Navy," Marinelli said. "Navy funerals are solemn and without question should be performed in a dignified manner. This is achieved by demonstrating professionalism and military bearing when escorting our fallen to their final resting place. Funeral honors movements and sequence of events are standardized to maintain the dignity of the service and it is highly recommended that commands practice as often as possible to maintain their precision."

While Naval Medical Logistics Command delivers patient centered logistics solutions for military medicine and is DoD's premier medical logistics support activity, it also plays a significant role in rendering honors to fallen shipmates through its participation in the Naval District Washington Casualty and Funeral Honors program.

For more information on how commands can learn about participating in military honors ceremonies, they are encouraged to contact their Regional Casualty Funeral Honors Program by consulting OPNAV Instruction 1770.1A.