Fort Sam Houston
June 23, 2011 (Thursday)
After the funeral service in New Braunfels yesterday, a procession of mourners in automobiles traveled to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery for Kenneth Smith’s burial with military honors. I was riding in the coach with the funeral director and we pulled up to a walkie-talkie station where we awaited an official from the cemetery who would lead us to one of five pavillions used for burial services. I asked someone from the staff at the cemetery about the number of funerals each day, and I was told that this year the average daily number has been 14 to 20.
While we were awaiting the arrival of the official, we witnessed the movement of a Caisson and horses, presumably back to the stables and storage areas. They had completed their assignment of bearing a flag-draped casket of an officer of rank and on their way to the stable, etc. they passed right by us. Even without the flag-draped casket on the Caisson, it was a very moving and impressive sight, with the riderless horse being accompanied by one of the men on horseback. In full-dress uniform, each of the men passing us saluted the flag-draped casket in our funeral coach.
Looking out over the huge cemetery, I saw row after row of headstones, each engraved with the name and information of the person buried in that spot. As I looked, it seemed that the sight was an almost endless reminder of the millions who have served their country in the military, many of whom died in conflicts around the world.
I can still hear the very loud gun salutes, and the sound of taps from a bugle. I can still see the honor guard folding the American flag ever so reverently, taking care to make the final triangle perfect. I can still see and hear the presentation of that flag to the grieving mother, reminding her that her son loved and served his country.
This was an experience I will not soon forget. 