THE LAST TO LET YOU DOWN

[Gil Boyd]

I suppose in military service you hope you don't ever have to do this duty, which, if you knew and served with the person, is the hardest job in the world in front of family and colleagues.
Maybe the Marine Corps have it right, and train to always give their men the best possible send off, with a full time unit, showing no emotion.
Each unit in the UK deal with the burial as and when it happens. I know in our Regiment during Op Herrick, the rear party became very proficient at carrying coffins.

http://www.espn.com/core/video/ifram...&endcard=false

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[browningautorifle]

We too had our rear party prepared to do the honours, death wreath and all. Still, unless he was gleaned from somewhere out of unit for a replacement, you'd still know him. The worst would be the ramp service in theater when friends carry him to the aircraft.

Operation Herrick - Wikipedia

[Gil Boyd]

Jim,
Yes the Herc ramp is not a very forgiving place when you have your best boots on and number 2's.

[David TS]

What an incredible film! I never knew the body bearers had to go through that sort of training.

[Gil Boyd]

David,
Only difference is, the U.S have a full time seconded to, unit.
One has to sadly look at the figures and see the terrible losses the US Marine Corps have around the world, as they are involved in pretty much all US policy in an operational gun toting roll.
RIP to all of them and so good to see the time and effort put into a rightful send off for their service where they paid the ultimate sacrifice! I have always admired the folded flag presentation "from a grateful nation".
Real shame we don't do something similar in the UK & Commonwealth

[pocketshaver]

Its one less thing for the unit to deal with. Keep the dead safe and covered, wait for the retrieval unit.