U.S. Naval Academy sailors provide military funeral honors to all fallen Navy veterans and retirees in Anne Arundel County on a year round schedule.
Naval District Washington is the officiating command for funerals in the entire region, and distributes assignments to USNA through a web-based application which automatically notifies command representatives of what services are to be provided.
Electronics Technician 2nd Class Daniel Strobel, the detail's coordinator, plans and schedules funerals and training for members of the detail.
"We have funerals that take place in various locations all across Anne Arundel County, so it can be challenging to organize the funerals. We have the web calendar, which helps everyone because it automatically sends out emails to the members' cell phones," said Strobel.
"The members can see the dates, times and locations of the funerals, what kind of funeral it is, and what services are to be rendered."
These services range from flag folding, casket bearing and presenting the flag and are performed by 10 enlisted service members, the ceremonial bugler for "Taps" which the Naval Academy Band supplies, and a rifle team provided by other commands.
The detail of 10 active duty enlisted personnel is unique in that, unlike typical leadership structures based upon rank, the detail is based upon experience. This means a third class petty officer or even a seaman can direct a funeral.
"Usually the person with the most experience takes charge of the funeral. It's all about who is qualified for what position," Strobel said.
"It is really rewarding to me that I can help out and perform a job to perfection. The flag folding, presenting, all of the traditional parts of (rendering) honors goes way back and should be respected forever," said Boatswain's Mate 2nd Class William Cobb, who has performed honors at more than one hundred funerals.
The Naval Academy Duty Officer (NADO) presents the flag for officer funerals that take place on the yard, while the Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO) fills that role for funerals outside the academy. The Chiefs' Mess provides a presenter for enlisted funerals.
The funerals at the Naval Academy are performed by the academy's chaplains, and take place at the chapel, cemetery and refurbished columbarium. After the committal, caskets are taken to the cemetery while urns are deposited in the walls of the columbarium.
"These spaces are reserved for all graduates and for anyone who may pass on while stationed here," said Sharon Moffat, funeral program director at the academy.
"I feel a sense of pride performing honors knowing that the family has probably never experienced anything like this, and they will always remember it,” said Cobb. “I like the fact that we give them that moment of pride during a tough time."
The detail rendered services for two hundred and thirty four funerals during 2010 and has already done 131 so far this year, said Strobel.
