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NAS Pensacola Funeral Honors Support Program
by U.S. Navy Gregory Mitchell
Naval Air Station Pensacola
September 18, 2019
One of the most important programs the Navy has to offer is the
coveted Funeral Honors Support Program (FHSP). The program’s
necessity is evident due to the abundant number of funerals
conducted throughout the year at Barrancas National Cemetery onboard
Naval Air Station (NAS) Pensacola.
Being a part of the
Funeral Honors Support Team (FHST) calls for paying respect towards
those who have faithfully defended their country. FHSP recognizes
and commemorates the honorable service of deceased military
personnel. The practice of rendering funeral honors is considered a
solemn and sacred obligation.
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June 5, 2019 – Aviation
Boatswains Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Joshua Jones renders
honors prior to the funeral of Missile Technician 2nd Class
Nathan A. Castor at Barrancas National Cemetery. (U.S. Navy photo by Gregory Mitchell, Naval Air Station Pensacola)
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“It is obviously a sad time for someone when they lose a loved
one, but when the families show you that they really appreciate what
you are doing for them, it feels like you are giving something back
to them,” said Aviation Boatswains Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class
Timothy Wesley, leading petty officer.
“Being a part of the
funeral honor team means that it is our responsibility to ensure
that the service member has the opportunity to lay to rest in as
much peace as possible. It is a serious commitment that we aim to
fulfill each and every time we set foot on Barrancas National
Cemetery.”
Funeral honor teams consist of active duty service
members. There is no specific requirement to be a part of the team;
selections are strictly based on the need at each respective
command.
“The most rewarding thing about being a part of this
team is that we have the opportunity to honor service members that
have passed away by providing a ceremony fitting for them,” said
Aviation Boatswains Mate (Equipment) 2nd Class Joshua Jones,
assistant leading petty officer.
Ceremonies for all other
veterans consist of, at a minimum, the folding and presentation of
the American flag and the sounding of “Taps” by a detail of two
uniformed service members. One of those personnel will present the
flag to the designated next of kin.
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June 5, 2019 – Aviation
Boatswains Mate (Handler) 2nd Class Kristin Snyder carries
the urn of Missile Technician 2nd Class Nathan A. Castor
during a funeral ceremony held in his honor at Barrancas
National Cemetery. (U.S. Navy photo by Gregory Mitchell, Naval Air Station Pensacola)
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Preparation for the FHST consists of hours of formation drills.
Uniforms requirements are stringent, with Sailors selected for
assignment with the NAS Pensacola FHST held to significant standards
as their job presents a very public face of the air station. The
team typically arrives at the gravesite at least one hour prior to
do final rehearsals prior to actual start times.
“It’s more
than just a job,” said Machinist Mate 2nd Class Joshue Serrano,
former leading petty officer. “Having both physical and mental
preparation is key to our success. Everyone has to be 100 percent
right to perform. We try to put ourselves mentally into the family
member’s shoes because we want them to feel that their family member
is as important as if he or she is truly what they are – one of our
own.”
The NAS Pensacola FHST provides services to
approximately 50 funerals per month. As anticipated, there can be
emotional attachments that comes due to serving in the capacity of
an honor team member.
“The most memorable funeral for me was
a Navy reservist with two children,” said Serrano. “His children
were 6 years and 8 months old – exactly the same as my two children.
I cannot begin to fathom what it is would be like if I left my
children behind at such an early age.”
Jones agreed.
“I
can remember my first funeral very well,” said Jones. “I took it
hard because once I began to perform “Taps,” it reminded me of my
uncle who was a Marine and served during the Vietnam War. I get
goosebumps to this day talking about him.”
Wesley had a
different take on the services.
“For me, it’s more nerve
wrecking than emotional,” said Wesley. “I just do my best to focus
on the task at hand because I am really determined not to make a
mistake out of respect for the family members. I want this moment to
be what it is; a special intimate time in the lives of the families
that cannot be replaced.”
Arguably, the most intense portion
of services is when the presenter has to present the American flag
to the immediate next-of-kin.
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June 5, 2019 – Members of Naval
Air Station (NAS) Pensacola’s Funeral Honor Support Team
(FHST) unfold the national ensign during a funeral ceremony
held for Missile Technician 2nd Class Nathan A. Castor at
Barrancas National Cemetery. (U.S. Navy photo by Gregory Mitchell, Naval Air Station Pensacola)
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“We have to take turns on being the presenter because that
sometimes can be emotionally overbearing,” said Jones. “Recently I
was the presenter on behalf of a Sailor that passed away during
training in school. She was only 18. That was an intense moment for
me because I had to hand the flag to her mother. For a mother to
lose her child at such a young age has to be one of the saddest
moments in a mothers’ life.”
In spite of the tension-filled
atmosphere outside of the funeral team office, within is another
story.
“We try to have laughs and
lighten up while within our shop,” said Wesley. “It helps to keep an
even keel for everyone. Since our jobs are 95 percent of the time
serious, we like to break the ice within to help people wine down.
Funerals can affect each of us in different ways; you never know
what someone is going through after providing services.”
Each
team member agreed on one thing; serving in the FHST is an honor.
“I am about to transfer very soon and I can honestly say that
being a part of this team will definitely be at the top of many
highlights of my career,” said Serrano.
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