An honor on a sad day

[BrotherMick]

Many of you know that I am in the burial vault business, which puts me in cemeterys more than anyone needs to be.
Today I had the honor of serving one of our fallen. SPC Geoffrey Whitsett was killed in Afghanistan on January 13th when the vehicle he was driving was hit by an IED. Although we had 24 funerals today, I was lucky enough to work this special service. It was filmed by all the major TV channels, with the Patriot Guard doing their escort. Police and Fire Departments paid their respects and a couple of thousand people also payed their respects. Geoff was posthumously awarded the Purple Heart at the graveside and also the Bronze Star for his eight months of duty in the Middle East. A couple of the cemetery grave people helped me lower the casket into the vault, but I was the last person to salute this warrior before his burial. It doesn't happen often, but it was such an honor. And I was thinking of the Hangout family all during the service, wishing that you could all be here to see this. It was truely a beautiful thing.

[DOCWILLEY]

Thank you for your sacrifice SPC Geoffrey Whitsett.May you Rest in Peace Soldier...
http://i565.photobucket.com/albums/ss95/willieson_2009/corpsman/soldierscross.jpg

[lovemymarine]

Rest in Peace SPC Geoffrey Whitsett. Thank you for your service and for keeping me and my family safe. God Bless.

[kmarier2001]

Rest in peace, SPC Geoffrey Whitsett. You're service to our Country will never be forgotten brave warrior.

Thank you, Micky, for seeing that this young man got one last salute!

[DOCWILLEY]

Im sorry I forgot to post this earlier but Thank you Mickey for representing us .
Semper Fidelis

[Guide Plt.2129]

Rest in Peace SPC Geofry Whitslett.
Thank you for our saftey, we do not forget.
Rusty


A Footnot in history;
Mick, thank you for taking him home, it's sometimes not easy, but way better, you, a Marine in America, than a stranger in some God forsaken contry, in an unmarked something, without the respect due a fallen hero. Would I to be so lucky that some one like you, be the last to see me, on my journey, an honor it would be...........

[BrotherMick]

Thank you all.... It was my pleasure.




A Footnot in history;
Mick, thank you for taking him home, it's sometimes not easy, but way better, you, a Marine in America, than a stranger in some God forsaken contry, in an unmarked something, without the respect due a fallen hero. Would I to be so lucky that some one like you, be the last to see me, on my journey, an honor it would be...........[/B]
Rusty, You're response really got to me. You could feel the love and respect at that funeral. But it would be MY honor to pay those respects to any serviceman or veteran. And I get to do it quite often. Thankfully, it doesn't happen often for KIA heroes.

[BrotherMick]

Thought that I would add this link. All those pictures and I guess I was successful at avoiding the cameras.

http://www.greenvilleonline.com/apps/pbcs.dll/gallery?Site=BS&Date=20100123&Category=yourupstate05&ArtNo=301230004&Ref=PH&Params=Itemnr=1
And another............
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GLvoG8ECF_M

[Guide Plt.2129]

Very well done.
BUT,It's just sad folks have to gather in this fashion under these circumstances, t be around him and even meet for the first time.............................................

The other footnote in history:
It took some reflection, of when I was allowed to close Dad's door, the last one to cast eye's on a hero from the South pacific, next to his true love for eternity, and of what "could of been" if all had gone wrong.....you gave me a moment of "pause" so to speak and wondered who was going to be the last one to see me. Like I said, "some one like you".....Bless you Mick,
Rusty
( a sharp, snappy salute goes here)