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Picklebobble2 During my tour at the Dover Port Mortuary I never once saw the POTUS or any cabinet members. I did see quite a few state officials from across this nation come out to participate in our Fallen Hero Honor send offs.
Without fail, those state officials (be they Democrats or Republicans) never,
ever tried to politicize. They were always respectful and handled themselves with dignity.
The send off went like this: an announcement overhead would call all available personnel to assemble outside for a send off.
We would arrange ourselves in ranks; highest ranking in the front rank at the right. The others would fall into place in descending order by rank.
As the ceremony began, the ranking officer would call everyone to attention. The casket (or whatever means of transporting the remains that was appropriate) would then proceed to the hearse while we rendered a slow salute. The casket was accompanied by a member of the fallen Service Member’s unit and usually their best friend. The attendant never left the member and accompanied the casket to the family’s home. That attendant then interacted with the member’s family.
As the casket was loaded into the hearse, all in the formation remained at attention holding their salute. As the hearse pulled away, the ranking member would softly order a shallow (15 degrees) turn toward the departing hearse all the while saluting. When the hearse pulled out of sight, the ranking member would call the formation to attention. The salute was then very slowly dropped.
The formation was then dismissed by order and all performed an about face to the right. The members were dismissed.
This was performed with utmost dignity. All too often. But even just once would have been too often.
