Paying Tribute to Fallen Soldiers
There will be a church session in which everyone who knew him will attend and the choir will sing songs of praises to this brave man. The fallen soldier is then delivered to a cemetery, sometimes Arlington National Cemetery where other great military leaders and presidents are buried. At the funeral, military generals and soldiers the man knew in battle honor him. Great long emotional and sad speeches are made telling what a great friend, soldier and family man he was. His body is carried to the dug hole in the groud by soldiers in army style line, 2 men carrying the body on each side over the shoulder, saluting the family of the fallen soldier. The army men wear special white gloves in solmness of their fallen friend. His body is gentley placed into the ground. Cannos or guns are fired into the air, several, usually about twelve of them at the same time fire at the military leader’s command near the grave site to pay tribute. Flowers are handed to the widow and American leaders who attend the funeral, both political and miltary leaders console the grieving family and hand them flowers.
The grieving family then mourns the death of the soldier for a period of time according to that family’s custom, usually about one week and family and friends attend to the grieving family at their home. Miniature American flags are stuck into the ground near the grave and a special plaque is on the grave, citing the man’s achivements in battle and in life and giving him the recognition of serving for his country.
This is the process of grieving for a fallen soldier, the highest compliment anyone could give to this ordinary man who fought for his country and gave his life and became anything but an ordinary citizen.