Arlington National Cemetery: A Husband Honored: Part 3 in RFFM Memorial Day Series

RFFM.org ^ | May 30, 2010 | Jo Dermody

[Daniel T. Zanoza]

A Memorial To Serve A Family For A Lifetime

by Jo Dermody

NOTE from Dan Zanoza, RFFM.org's Executive Director: The following is the final installment in RFFM's three-part series in honor of Memorial Day. The essay was first posted on February 25, 2010. Mrs. Dermody wrote this response after reading an RFFM.org column titled, "Arlington National Cemetery's Old Guard: Not All of Washington, D.C. Shut Down During Snow Storm" by Lyle J. Rapacki http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/02/arlington-cemetery-honor-guard-not-all-of-washington-dcshut-down-during-snow-storm-by-lyle-j-rapacki.html.

Mrs. Dermody gives a poignant and touching description of her husband's (Major John Dermody, USMC Retired) burial at Arlington National Cemetery. Though John Dermody does not rest in the Tomb of the Unknowns (pictured below), his body lays in hallowed ground and his spirit resides in a Heavenly place.

*****

My husband John was buried at Arlington National Cemetery on May 15, 2007. My four kids wanted him there. He did not care. Rather he said, "it will be so far for Mom if she wanted to put flowers on the grave."

Well, my four kids won out.

John's body was kept up here at the funeral home and then flown to the D.C. area and taken to Arlington National Cemetery. I am sure the moment the Marines got his casket they most lovingly cared for it until we showed up.

Many came for the ceremony, from all over the U.S.

The Marines were so outstanding. Our youngest son was racing from the Gulf/Iraq area, off his carrier, but did not make it that day. My three oldest children were with me. On my left was my former Marine daughter and on my right my former Navy son. Our oldest son was taking pictures of all.

The horse drawn cart with casket started up and we walked behind it. At the end of each lane, we passed a Marine standing at attention. I thanked each one of them.

At the grave site, three Marines came to me, kneeling down by me. Each said the words they were supposed to say and I told each one how proud I was of them and what a beautiful job they had done for a Marine who was so proud to wear the uniform of an enlisted man and an officer. One Marine started to cry when I told him that.

The last one up was a Navy officer. He had gotten home before our youngest son and he made it to Arlington. He gave me my second flag of the day. He said to me, "your son Terry had this flag flown over two carriers and taken by jet over Afghanistan and Iraq for his Pop."

My former Navy son said to me, while walking behind the Marines and the horse drawn cart, "Mom, I have to admit, the Marines know how to do it best."

Semper Fi Jo Dermody Widow of Major John Dermody, USMC Retired

RELATED ARTICLES--Parts 1 & 2 in RFFM Memorial Day Series:

Part 1: Medal of Honor Recipients: Doug Sterner's Home of Heroes Web Site Honors True Heroes: An Interview with Doug Sterner by Dan Gura / Memorial Day: RFFM.org Weekend Series Honors U.S. Military: http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/02/medal-of-honor-recipients-doug-sterners-web-site-honors-true-heroes-an-interview.html

Part 2: Arlington National Cemetery's Old Guard: Part 2 in RFFM Memorial Day Series by Lyle J. Rapacki, PhD.: http://rffm.typepad.com/republicans_for_fair_medi/2010/05/arlington-national-cemeterys-old-guard-part-2-in-rffm-memorial-day-series.html

[screaminsunshine]

I am surprised at the lack of Outrage of Obama missing the Arlington ceremony. I have watched it since I was a kid. I hope some good people show up.

[ConorMacNessa]

I'm fine with his not showing - he is not worthy to enter those sacred precincts!

Lamh Foistenach Abu!