One of the smartest things the Army ever did was to make young Combat Arms Officers have the additional duty of Funeral Detail Officer.
When I was a Second Lieutenant, I was really fired up to have my Soldiers in combat.
My Sergeants (God bless them!) talked to me about that.
I also served as a Funeral Detail Officer.
One of the duties of a Funeral Detail Officer is to present the folded flag (The Colors) to the widow.
If you want to see a big old Soldier get his heart broke, just watch him present The Colors to a crying widow with a couple of quiet kids hanging on her.
Makes you value your Soldiers more.
It would be wise to remember that us Soldiers bury our friends under that flag.
And we never forget or forgive those who dishonor our dead.
It should be a requirement for Presidential candidates to attend a military funeral.
Great post. I had similar experiences leading those funeral details and being a Survivor Assistance Officer. Those duties really put things into perspective.
My dad was a WWII Army Air Corps veteran. At his funeral in 2003, I remember the tears rolling down my cheeks as my oldest brother was presented with the folded flag. My dad was a proud veteran who loved America.
Excellent idea. If they're going to order troops into combat, they ought to be around to see the consequences of their orders. It might make them more respectful of those in uniform.