Actually as far as State Funerals go that was pretty low key. Most funerals in Arlington get the caisson and firing party, I think Flag Officers get the band. those of us who are a little older that remember the JFK and Churchill funerals can add some details but they had bunches of band, platoons of Heads of State, Ambassadors, VIPs, marching military units from several countries, etc. It was less than Eisenhower, MacArthur, and Bradley got. Even Mother Teresa got a bigger parade for her funeral and she got a gun carriage instead of just a caisson. Even had the gun on it. Go back and look at the funerals for Lord Mountbatten and Lady Di.
From http://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/funerals.htm
Arlington is the only cemetery in the world that offers on a regular basis a "full" military honors funeral, available at the families request to officers and warrant officers. A full honors service
consists of a procession to the gravesite with a horse drawn caisson, a marching band, a marching escort of troops, and a four man color guard. The chaplain joins the procession as well, in front of the caisson, and behind the escort, band, and color guard. Once at the gravesite, the service is identical to the standard honors service above, with the exception that the band plays while the casket is taken to the grave and while the flag is being folded, the entire element that makes up the full honors ceremony remains throughout the service.
Just be glad the idea that a funeral train was appropriate didn't take root and come to fruition. Instead of four hours from DC to Simi Valley it would have been at least 4-5 days. Actually I think a funeral train would have been interesting. |
