Thursday, January 29, 2009
A hearse and a horse for the heroes
This is a nice story that at least feels like it would be only in America:
Lorraine Melgosa hasn't developed the thick skin of someone who works with the bereaved. She almost always cries at funerals.
On a crisp morning in this northwestern Nebraska town, her tears began when pallbearers slid the flag-draped coffin of Marine Cpl. Adrian Robles into Melgosa's 19th century horse-drawn hearse.
She helped Robles' parents into the seat at the front of the carriage and stepped to the head of the mare harnessed to it. Taking the horse's reins, Melgosa urged her forward and into the graveyard. Mourners walked slowly behind in a parade of black, lending a timeless dignity to an already solemn affair, the funeral procession of a 21-year-old Marine.
Melgosa has brought that quality to at least 20 military funerals across three states. Her black wooden horse-drawn carriage, with glass siding to display the coffin, offers a fitting tribute to fallen troops, said one officer who has worked with Melgosa.
"Presidents who have passed away have been taken to cemeteries in horse-drawn carriages," said Navy Chief Petty Officer Kip Poggemeyer. "It's the way all military funerals should be. If I were ever to be killed in combat, that's what I'd want."
Melgosa sees it as her duty to honor those who have died in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Whatever gift you can give to these soldiers and their families, you should give," Melgosa said. "It's the least you can do to try to honor them."
Read it all.
3 Comments:
By 
, at
Thu Jan 29, 12:09:00 PM:
Very touching. I don't know why a horse-drawn carriage would add so much dignity, but it certainly does. wow.
By 
Miss Ladybug, at
Thu Jan 29, 08:14:00 PM:
I attended the funeral of 1LT Kile G. West in 2007. They had one of those horse-drawn hearses at the cemetery service. It is a beautiful part of a very solemn event.
By Donna B., at
Sat Jan 31, 02:26:00 AM:
Part of the reason is that horses are very dignified animals and they have a long history of serving in war.
