By Jim Haley, Herald Writer
The Everett-based aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln came to a halt in the Pacific Ocean a week after leaving its home port to take care of a solemn and time-honored tradition.
Containers with the ashes of 33 former military service members were deposited in the sea March 19 off the southern California coast, the requests of military people or their families.
Burial-at-sea ceremonies often are conducted using deployed naval vessels and are coordinated through hospitals and the Defense Department, said Lt. Karin Burzynski, a ship's spokeswoman.
"These 33 people were willing to lay down their lives to keep us free during their time of service," Cmdr. John Swanson, the Lincoln's command chaplain, said in a statement from the ship. "This is our final tribute to the legacy they left behind and a final thanks on behalf of a grateful nation."
Swanson sent each box of cremated remains to the deep with Protestant chaplain Lt. Cmdr. Michael Green and Catholic chaplain Lt. Peter Le reading prayers and committals. The ashes literally were "launched" off the deck and into the Pacific through a flag-covered metal chute crafted by Lincoln sailors.
Sailors spent hours welding the metal chute and stitching the flag around it, "demonstrating their dedication to assist in contributing to a fitting ceremony for these deserving service members," Burzynski said.
The burial detail was in dress blue uniform at sunrise, and the crew ceased all work on the flight deck.
After the last of the remains went overboard, a Lincoln detail fired three volleys, and taps was played. The lead flag bearer then presented the U.S. flag to Lincoln's executive officer, Capt. Thomas Nosenzo.
All current and former U.S. military service members who received an honorable discharge are eligible for burial at sea and can request it. Green said that in addition to sailors, this ceremony included former U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force personnel.
In keeping with the wishes of two service members, the remains of their spouses also were buried at sea with the remains of their husbands
Family members were sent a message immediately following the ceremony. They were told the date, time and exact location that their loved ones were buried.
The ship's Religious Ministries Department will prepare a flag, a certificate, a letter from the commanding officer, photos and other information that will be sent to family members.
The Lincoln left Everett March 13 for a regularly scheduled deployment to the western Pacific and the Persian Gulf. It stopped at San Diego to pick up support crew members for the various airplanes carried aboard the big ship before heading west.
Two Everett destroyers, the USS Shoup and the USS Momsen, are members of the Lincoln strike group.
Reporter Jim Haley: 425-339-3447 or jhaley@heraldnet.com.
