Comments on: A Tough Job

By: Billy Bob

Billy Bob — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 19:42:23 +0000

This story brings back the memories of the night in the Spring of 1969 when I sat with my cousin, an Army Captain, as he told me the story of his first time as a CACO.

The casualty was a soldier from a nearby farm town. I think the whole thing struck home because the trooper had grown up on a farm, had a wife and small child just like he did. My cousin mentioned that he would never hear Taps the same after that day.

My cousin left for Vietnam in April and died there 40 years ago tomorrow.

I thought of that converstion as he was laid to rest at his snow covered home town cemetery in January of 1970.

Taps has never sounded the same to me since that day.

By: Todd

Todd — Wed, 16 Dec 2009 02:38:11 +0000

Got to serve as OIC of our base honor guard in the late 80′s in Washington state. Like claudio, we rendered final honors for many retirees. Had some tough ones after a KC135 crashed on base in 1987. Toughest was in 1989. Laid to rest the remains of a 25 year old F-4 pilot who went down in Vietnam in 1972. Nearly lost it during the missing man flyover. Hardest of all was meeting his daughter whom he never got to see. Escort officer was his retired uncle. I found his name a few years later on the long black wall in DC, where I left my black beret and white gloves and a load of grief. Nowhere close to as tough a tour as CACO, but I count it a privilege to have served.

By: Quartermaster

Quartermaster — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:48:06 +0000

For a small donation to Lex’s tip jar, we’d be glad to keep it to ourselves.

By: Quartermaster

Quartermaster — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:46:39 +0000

More than 20 Years later I’m still angry about it. We had a military death, an uncle was with the 1st Marines at Chosen Reservoir where he was mortally wounded. It took 3 years to get the remains back. We were supposed to invite families to that and some other activities near the end of the course. My mother refused to come and I told the TAC why. He seemed somewhat abashed, but I know that travesty was not his idea.

You would think the Military would have more respect than to parody a ceremony of honor. Would they parody a CMH award ceremony, or any other similar ceremony? Some of it I chalk up to the thing in an ARNG OCS. Still, it wrankled, and still does.

By: claudio

claudio — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 23:38:53 +0000

While a TAR in OKC, early 90s, did lots of funerals all over the state and northern texas. Least we could do for our veterans, some old, some young. The CACOs and the ID of a shipmate were some of the most difficult duties ever. The funerals, especially for the older vets were actually very rewarding. Most cases the families always made sure we’d go over to the house if we had time and the other vets would regale us with stories. The thanks flowed both ways.

By: Snake Eater

Snake Eater — Tue, 15 Dec 2009 20:52:39 +0000

Fbl, I didn’t see myself on that one occasion as ” extraordinarily strong” or special in any way…I complied willingly as ordered. Rendering this final honor to a fallen brother, unknown to me, was a profoundly emotional and humbling experience…

…that said, I did find some comfort in the thought that if the rolls were reversed he would have done the same for me. Best

PS, Now about that hug???