Sailors Hold Memorial for Fallen Shipmate, Lay to Rest Veterans during Burial-at-Sea aboard Lassen

UNITED STATES

06.13.2021

Story by Petty Officer 3rd Class Zachary Melvin 

USS Gerald R. Ford (CVN 78)           

ATLANTIC OCEAN—The cremains of 18 service members from the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps branches of service, including one spouse, were committed to the sea during a burial-at-sea ceremony aboard the Arleigh Burke-class guided missile destroyer USS Lassen (DDG 82), June 13, 2021.
A memorial service was held prior to the burial-at-sea for Culinary Specialist 2nd Class Bruce Wells II who passed away recently in a motor vehicle accident.
The familiar, but sobering sound of taps broke the silence of the morning aboard Lassen. On the flight deck, Sailors stood in formation in their dress blues, prepared to honor the dead.
The sounding of taps was first played at a Civil War funeral in place of the three funeral volleys so as not to reveal the batteries position to the nearby enemy. Taps is a bugle call that comes from the French “L’Extinction des feux,” meaning “lights out.”
“Good morning, officers and crew of USS Lassen,” said Cmdr. Paul Cassutti, from Northport, New York, Lassen’s commanding officer. “Today, we honor the lives and sacrifices of our fellow brothers and sisters-in-arms. These service members faithfully served their country and defended our way of life. Many of them served in the midst of harm’s way. Through their legacy, they continue to live as an example for those of us who now wear the uniform. Shipmates, you stood the watch. You stand relived. We have the watch. Rest in peace.”
The burial-at-sea ceremony has been a time-honored tradition since the inception of the Navy. In times past, the deceased body was sewn into a weighted sail cloth and slipped into the sea. Now, burials at sea are conducted in a similar fashion to shore funerals.

The ceremony was led by Lassen’s Chaplain, Lt. Brian Burd, from Dinuba, California, who spoke of what a privilege it was for the crew to honor the fallen.
“Lassen was honored to get the opportunity to participate in this naval tradition, giving Sailors throughout the chain of command the chance to honor those who have gone before us to defend freedom and democracy around the world,” said Burd. “One of the best parts for me is getting to speak with the families of those we buried and learn the stories of their life and service.”
During the ceremony, urns containing the cremains of each individual veteran are ceremoniously presented under the cover of an American flag and rendered to the sea. The custom of holding a flag over the cremains as they are committed to the deep was begun by the British Guard in the days before the American Revolution to show that the State takes responsibility for a soldier’s death. The flag is folded 13 times following the ceremony and prepared for delivery to the family of the service member.
“This was the first time I have been a part of a burial-at-sea ceremony,” said Culinary Specialist Seaman Raquel Funes, from Fort Worth, Texas, assigned to Lassen’s supply department. “I was honored to be a part of the burial detail. The ceremony was commemorating, respectful and peaceful. It was a beautiful tribute to those who dedicated their lives to this country.”
The ceremony concluded with three volleys from Lassen’s seven person firing detail. The custom of firing three volleys follows an old superstition to scare away evil spirits. Three volleys were also fired during the European dynastic wars when fighting was halted to remove the dead and wounded.
"Today's burial at sea ceremony onboard Lassen was a poignant reminder that all service members are connected by their shared experience of service, sacrifice and devotion to duty,” said Cassutti. “No matter the timeframe or location of service, we share something unique. I am glad that my crew and I were able to take part in this event, honoring those who have gone before us and committing our fellow shipmates to the deep."
Lassen is underway in the Atlantic Ocean supporting USS Gerald R. Ford’s (CVN 78) Full Ship Shock Trials (FSST). The U.S. Navy conducts shock trials of new ship designs using live explosives to confirm that our warships can continue to meet demanding mission requirements under harsh conditions they might encounter in battle.

• Date Taken: 06.13.2021
• Date Posted: 06.14.2021 18:47
• Story ID: 398894
• Location: US