Greetings from Mojave Airport! Last week holds memories very special for us as we experienced a part of American history that a small percentage of citizens are able to witness first hand.

Our friends, Charlie and Marianna Wallasch, my husband, Al and I had the privilege of attending the full military honors burial of Col. Richard E. Lawyer, USAF (ret.) on January 5, 2006 at Arlington National Cemetery, in Virginia across the Potomac River from the Lincoln Memorial and Washington Monument.

This was a dignified and moving occasion and we were impressed with the detailed military ritual and respect shown to the family before, during and after the ceremony.

We met with Dick’s widow, Gayle and other family members in a designated room at the facility complex. A hearse took the casket to within a half mile of the grave site as we all followed in cars.

The U.S. Air Force Band, Color Guard, casket team and Caisson Platoon of the 3^rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) are there to meet the procession.

One of Dick’s favorite patriotic songs, Battle Hymn of the Republic, is played by the Air Force Band as his coffin is removed from the hearse to the caisson, followed by Onward Christian Soldiers.

The Color Guard and Air Force Band led the way as drummers beat a muffled cadence for the solemn procession. The caisson that carried the flag draped casket was pulled by six beautifully matched dapple gray horses. Family and friends walked behind the caisson to the grave site.

The 23^rd Psalm, Lord’s Prayer and prayers for the comfort of the Lawyer family and friends was recited by the Air Force chaplain, the Airmens Hymn, Lord, Guard and Guide the Men Who Fly and Amazing Grace was played by the Air Force band just before the 21-gun salute and Taps played by a lone bugler.

The traditions of the Caisson Platoon grew out of the Civil War when caissons were used to haul ammunition to the front lines and empty caissons hauled the dead and wounded to the rear.

It’s hard to convey the overwhelming sense of awe and reverence that is felt as you look across the cemetery and see all of the gleaming white headstones and then as you grow closer you see the names, the rank, the branch of service and the wars they fought in.

There are many in section 60 from WWII, Korea and Vietnam, but now some of the newest graves mark the names of those lost in Afghanistan and Iraq.

Gayle Lawyer told of seeing one fresh grave spread with flowers, and a wreath dotted with various photographs of a handsome Marine Major with medals covering half of his chest, but the photograph that broke her heart was the one of him holding his two young children who will now grow up without a father.

She said that she is so grateful that Dick led a good and full loving life, abundant with the things he loved most, including: family, flying, fishing, flying, hunting and more flying. 

Over 290,000 service men and women and their family members are interred at Arlington. The hallowed ground of this national cemetery covers 624 acres and holds granite and marble markers that reflect dates beginning in the Civil War. Approximately 24 burials are conducted every weekday with great dignity and care.

Here is a little bit of history of Arlington National Cemetery - this property was originally owned by George Washington Parke Custis, step-grandson of George Washington. The daughter of Custis married Robert E. Lee and when Custis died in 1857, he willed the 1,100-acre plantation and mansion to his daughter. The Lee family lived at Arlington House for more than 30 years, but was forced to leave at the onset of the Civil War in 1861. Virginia seceded from the Union; Lee resigned his commission in the U.S. Army, refusing to bear arms against his native state.

Federal troops crossed the Potomac River and turned the house into a headquarters for the Army, destroying and seizing many artifacts that had belonged to the father of our country, George Washington.

During the war, the government levied a property tax on the estate in the amount of $92.07 and then refused the payment and confiscated the property when Mrs. Lee sent a proxy to pay the tax in her place, since she was wheelchair bound.

In 1873, Lee’s eldest son filed suit in federal court to recover Arlington and the Supreme Court upheld his suit and awarded the market value of the land. Title was formally transferred and Arlington’s future as a national cemetery was forever ensured.

Until next week.  .  .  .  .  “Keep ‘em flying!”