Sailors Coming Home

Yesterday I had an opportunity that doesn't happen very often. I went to an American Civil War funeral. On December 31, 1862 the USS Monitor was sunk during a storm off the coast of North Carolina. Sixteen of its sailors drowned during the sinking. The USS Monitor has since become famous for being involved in the first battle between ironclads in history, when it fought the CSS Virginia (Merrimack) on March 9, 1862. The wreck was located in the 1970's and part of the wreck was brought up in 2002. While they were bring up the turret they found two sailors remains still inside. For ten years they tried to find out who the sailors were, but were unable to. They decided to bury the remains at Arlington National Cemetery.
  That's where I come in. I heard about it in the local paper and knew that I had to be there. So yesterday afternoon I spent the afternoon at Arlington and it was one of the most amazing things I have ever seen. They buried the sailors behind the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers amphitheater.

It was amazing to think that it had been a little over 150 years since they had died, but that they were receiving the recognition of both their service and place in history. The remains of two sailors were buried, but the monument will be to the 16 sailors that died.
Seeing the ceremony, from the disciplined behavior of the sailors to the 21 gun salute, it was something I don't think I will ever forget. The minister talked about how for many years the souls of the sailors had already returned home to their God and that their loved ones had already rejoined them, but that we were grateful for the chance that they could return to us, so that we could remember their service and sacrifice.
It was a cold windy day, but the sun was there throughout most of the service. I'm grateful for the men and women of the armed forces who have already served and are serving our country. There may be many things wrong in our country, but the opportunity to change continues thanks thanks to men and women like these two sailors who are now "known but to God".

http://www.washingtonpost.com/local/crewmen-of-uss-monitor-are-buried-at-arlington/2013/03/08/5d11dc5c-8779-11e2-9d71-f0feafdd1394_story.html

p.s. If you go to the photo gallery, you can see me in the 2nd picture. I am to the left of the soldier on horseback.