Part One: Indiana, The End
Graf 1: This paragraph starts the story by setting up Don Collins and describing him without informing us why he’s a focus at the moment. I’m assuming we’ll learn that later.
G2: We learn that Don Collins is the coroner of some undisclosed city, and we learn a little of Don’s background. There’s also mention of a house with yellow ribbons out front, which is traditionally a sign of supporting U.S. troops.
G3: Collins is preparing to dig a grave. We found out that this is taking place on May 31.
G4: Collins is digging a grave with a backhoe. His decision to move the unearthed dirt elsewhere seems to signify that tomorrow’s ceremony is of considerable importance.
G5: The next day, Six Green Berets arrive at the church around noon. Several of the soldiers are described by Jones.
G6: The casket is wheeled out of the church and into the hearse, which departs for the gravesite.
G7: The hearse arrives at the gravesite as onlookers such as Patriot Guard Riders and civilian motorcyclists intently look on.
G8: The casket is placed on the lowering device. We are given details about the casket and how it features scenes from the war in Iraq. The scenes and the description of Wilbert Funeral Services, Inc. make it apparent this soldier was killed in Iraq. We also learn a little about the attendees.
G9: The attending reverend prays and bagpipes are played while a train goes by in the distance. Music by Nine Inch Nails, who was mentioned earlier, is played over the speakers.
G10: The soldiers fire off their rounds, as is tradition at a military funeral. The shots go off smoothly and are perfectly timed.
G11: The bugler is preparing to play. We are informed that not all buglers at such funerals are in fact playing taps.
G12: More details about performing taps is presented.
G13: The bugler is quoted.
G14: The soldiers prepare to fold the flag. One of the riflemen is quoted about the difficulty of the task.
G15: A different rifleman is pointing out this dead soldier had children.
G16: The pattern soldiers use in folding the flag is detailed. One of the onlookers points out the soldiers’ nerves.
G18: The folds are mentioned again, as Huber took the shells he fired off and placed them within the folds.
G19: The flag is passed to the soldier’s family.
G20: Belinda Pinckney is described. She is a brigadier general who was requested by the army’s chief of staff to attend this funeral.
G21: Pinckney talks about connecting with the dead soldier’s wife.
G22: Pinckney drops to her knees in front of Missie.
G23: Pinckney describes how she tries to keep herself composed despite understanding that anyone could get that call.
G24: The meaning of the flag folding is described.
G25: Pinckney is quoted as kneeling as she presents the flag to Missie.
G26: The soldier’s casket is lowered and the attendees all leave.
G27: Don retrieves the dirt he had put away before and packs it in around the gravesite. He also puts a temporary metal marker at the head of the grave.
G28: We learn the soldier’s name for the first time.
G29: Gail Bond is one of the people attending the funeral ceremony in the same church where Joe was baptized in 1977.
G30: Gail’s smoking habit and paraphernalia is detailed.
G31: The many tragedies of Gail’s life is described. Joe is also referred to as Gail’s “miracle baby” because of the timing of when she learned she was pregnant.
G32: Gail’s family members in attendance at the funeral are described. There is also an overflow of people for the funeral.
G33: Some of the many reasons why people came to the funeral is outlined.
G 34: The appearances of several members of Joe’s family and his friends give away details about his own life, but Jones leaves traces of what’s to come by explaining what is not so obvious to onlookers.
G35: The Barclay brothers get the call to lead the procession from the airport to Seymour, Indiana.
G36: The brothers get a shock when they see the procession will be three miles long.
G37: Tim Barclay says it’s the longest procession he’s worked. They opt to shut the highway down.
G38: The creation of the Patriot Guard is described. Sidenote: The Westboro Baptist Church members are truly awful people.
G39: The procession takes off. Charles Dunaway is revealed to be Joe’s official escort to the funeral.
G40: Bill, Gail’s brother and Seymour’s mayor, is talking about how hard it is to drive and cry. People stop in traffic and salute Joe as the procession goes by.
G41: This is personally one of my favorite grafs so far. Joe’s aunt describes a mechanic who stopped what he was doing to salute Joe and the mourners as they drove past.
G42: The mechanic’s appearance is used to describe Joe during his time working at the steel forge.
G43: We learn about Ryan Heacock, Joey’s best friend.
G44: Ryan says the two were outsiders in high school.
G45: We learn how Ryan and Joey helped each other out during their high school days.
G46: Ryan discusses how Joey would buy his paintings when Ryan was hard up for money.
G47: Ryan is designing Joey’s tombstone at his work.
G48: We learn more about the droves of people who stop and salute the procession as it passes.
G49: Gail’s brother Bill says the gesture means a lot.
G50: We learn about Joey’s hard times after high school.
G51: We learn that Joey went and lived with his sister in Florida. Joey’s sister, Mindy, brags on her brother.
G52: Ryan visits Joey in Florida.
G53: Gail recalls Joey calling and wanting to return home.
G54: Joey returns home, straightens up and gets back together with Missie, who is pregnant at the time. Joey becomes a father.
G55: Joey struggles along while two more kids enter the picture. Joey decides to join the army.
G56: Joey and his family find stability in their lives while Joey makes his way through the ranks.
G57: Gail’s last meeting with Joey while he was a live is described.
G58: Gail recalls her thoughts as Joey boarded the plane before he left.
G59: We return to the present and the procession. Joey’s casket is taken out and placed in the chapel.
G60: The casket is open. We learn Joey’s body is in good enough condition to be viewed if the family wishes it to be that way.
G61: Gail says she needs to see him. She and some of the family look at him and the changes his body had seen.
G62: Joey’s brother notices he is missing his Mason’s ring. As he attempts to put it on, Joey’s hand folds.
G63: We learn about army chaplain Jim Staggers.
G64: The pallbearers are detailed.
G65: Staggers gets away to read his bible. We learn more about how he became a chaplain.
G66: Staggers explains his dedication in this moment.
G67: Staggers explains to the family what will soon take place.
G68: The amount of information the guardsmen can deduce from carrying the casket is explained.
G69: The guardsmen don’t let the expected lightness of the casket and body throw them off.
G70: The pallbearers scramble to keep their focus as they carry the casket.
G71: The chaplain begins his sermon.
G72: The Chaplain finishes by reading a psalm and then invites the family to gather around the casket.
G73: Missie weeps on the casket.
G74: Gail tells her grandchildren that their father is in the casket.
G75: Staggers places his hand on the flag and cries.
G76: Staggers explains you can’t hold back forever.
G77: Staggers signals for the honor guard to return the casket to the hearse.
G78: The honor guard heads to Indianapolis while the procession heads in the opposite direction.
G79: We learn two members of the honor guard join a group bound for Iraq a few months later.
Part Two: Dover Air Force Base
Graf 1: We are introduced to Steve Greene, who receives a call from the Pentagon.
G2: Greene is described for us. Then we learn his airplanes are being used by the Air Force to return dead soldiers.
G3: We learn how the practice of soldiers being shipped home in commerical planes changed.
G4: Matthew Holley’s remains are not shipped by commercial plane but instead met by an honor guard. The family pushes to change the process and succeed.
G5: Greene’s company is tested as a possible source for flying home the bodies.
G6: Kalitta is put in charge of flying the dead soldiers’ bodies back home.
G7: Two of the Kalitta pilots, Greg Jones and Royce Linton, are described.
G8: Jones explains it’s all about business when it comes to flying.
G9: The pilots point out the places that have lost more than most when it comes to soldiers.
G10: The pilots fly Joey’s remains home after dropping off another fallen soldier.
G11: Linton realizes this won’t be easy.
G12: Jones says it’s always the case.
G13: Linton and Jones explain the bad experiences they’ve seen delivering the bodies.
G14: The amount of work the two pilots do is described.
G15: The paperwork is checked and the casket is prepared to be taken off.
G16: Everyone prepares for the reaction that will come upon the casket’s removal.
G17: Gail admits it was the hardest part of the ordeal.
G18: Linton’s practice of pushing the casket around is explained.
G19: Jones and Linton recount some of the sights that stick with them.
G20: We are introduced to Major Cory Larsen.
G21: We learn about the other employees at the Charles C. Carson Center for Mortuary Affairs.
G22: Karen Giles describes the closeness within the people at the center.
G23: Giles is described in further detail.
G24: The center itself is described.
G25: One of the descriptions within the building is detailed.
G26: Every person killed in Iraq is listed, including Joey.
G27: Joey’s body stays at the center for five days.
G28: Joey’s body is carried to the EOD room and checked for explosives.
G29: Joey’s body is photographed and archived while any items are meticulously held onto for the family.
G30:
G31: Joey has no personal effects.
G32: A counseling room nearby is described. It is often not used by the families but those working with the effects.
G33: Another chaplain, David Sparks, is described.
G34: Larsen lauds the chaplains.
G35: It is explained that Joey’s body, like all bodies that arrive here, are studied so the identity can be confirmed.
G36: The practice of the autopsies is explained.
G37: Joey’s autopsy is described.
G38: The morticians work with Sgt. Montgomery’s body.
G39: The difference tactics that injuries force morticians to use is described.
G40: The morticians do their damndest to allow families to hold a viewing for the fallen soldier.
G41: The morticians work to make Montgomery presentable.
G42: A chaplain explains an airman’s extensive work on a dead soldier’s hair.
G43: Sparks explains the intimacy of the preparation.
G44: The bodies are placed in caskets.
G45: Giles explains a soldier’s attention to detail on a fallen soldier who was soon to be cremated.
G46: The process of putting the flag on the casket is described.
G47: Major general Richard P. Formica is described.
G48: Formica orders a general officer attends every funeral of a fallen soldier and greets every plane coming into Dover with a dead soldier.
G49: Formica’s turn to do so, particularly the plane that was coming in with the bodies, is extensively described.
G50: Honor guards as well as a base commander rep, a Marine colonel and Formica were awaiting the landing.
G51: A chaplain talks of things deeper than religion.
G52: A K-loader truck pulls up the cargo door of the plane carrying the bodies.
G53: The honor guards and other distinguished guests go into the belly of the jet.
G54: Sparks describes the worst planeload he can recall and how it stills takes his breath away.
G55: The airmen salute each casket before Sparks prepares to give his prayer.
G56: Sparks recalls how he was unable to speak when he faced his worst planeload.
G57: His voice doesn’t have that problem this time.
G58: Sparks’ prayer is quoted
G59: Sparks offers honor and respect to the soldiers’ families.
G60: Sparks prays for a time when such events no longer occur.
G61: Sparks finishes his prayer.
G62: The practice of the honor guards removing the caskets is explained. The fact of different branches carrying different soldiers is a non-issue.
G63: Sparks says this is the most important thing he’s ever done.
G64: Formica makes it clear the toll it takes on him. He wants the families to know how their deceased loved ones are welcomed back home.
G65: Joey and the other bodies are brought to Port Mortuary.
Part Three: Forward Operating Base Falcon
Graf 1: We meet Terry Slaght, who was in the same division with Joey and was one of his friends.
G2: Slaght had been in charge of arranging the flight after hearing of Joey’s death.
G3: Slaught has learned it was Montgomery who died and decides he’s accompanying his departed friend.
G4: Slaght feels guilt of not being out with Montgomery.
G5: The helicopters land and a bread truck’s doors open up.
G6: Slaght helps five other people carry Montgomery inside. Slaght fights thinking about what is happening to Montgomery’s remains.
G7: Montgomery’s body is closely examined and then put into a body bag, which is then placed in an aluminum transfer case.
G8: Slaught waits in the office as Montgomery’s body is flown out.
G9: Micah learns of his brother’s death and immediately begins to worry about the toll it will take on his mother, especially if she receives the news in the middle of the night.
G10: Micah calls his aunt, Vicki.
G11: Micah introduces himself.
G12: Vicki wants to know what’s going on.
G13: It’s explained Micah doesn’t call home much and rarely called Vicki. It was clear something had happened.
G14: Micah explains it is about Joey.
G15: Vicki wants to know what it’s about.
G16: Micah simply says no.
G17: Micah wants his aunt to go to his mother’s house but not inform her of what happened.
G18: The family’s back at the base hear someone has lost a husband; they just don’t know who yet.
G19: Three wives sit in Missie’s living room and ponder how they’ll hear the news.
G20: Vicki pulls up to Gail’s house. Vicki is shaking.
G21: Gail immediately realizes something is wrong. She cries.
G22: Vicki cries.
G23: Gail knows one of her sons has died. She asks her sister which one.
G24: Vicki mouths Joey.
G25: Gail screams. Neighbors come out. The word spreads quickly.
G26: Ryan hears the word and later says he heard too soon. His instinct is to call Missie.
G27: Missie answers the phone.
G28: Ryan tells Missie he’s sorry.
G29: Missie drops the phone.
G30: Brittany picked up the phone and asked Ryan what he knew. It was not much. The wives tried to comfort each other.
G31: Brittany recalls seeing the soldiers.
G32: Friends helped gather up things for Missie and brought supplies. Others create tributes for Joey.
G33: Gail receives the knock on her door.
G34: Joe Montgomery rides in the Humvee listening to music the day he dies.
G35: We learn about the other people riding with Joey.
G36: Montgomery might have been thinking about his call with his stepdaughter, who wanted to take his last name.
G37: Missie heard an explosion when she was on the phone with Joey.
G38: Joey rushes off the phone.
G39: Joey emails Missie letting her know he’s ok.
G40: The message was a simple “I’m okay.”
G41: The trucks head east. The reasoning for not taking direct routes is explained.
G42:The music changes as the trucks turn. It is made clear there aren’t enough men in this group at this particular point.
G43: This time of night coupled with the dirt road the trucks are turning on is a dangerous combination.
G44: The patrol base is detailed. It wasn’t ideal, but it could have been a much worse place to bunker down.
G45: Captain Godwin and Rudberg look at the maps and brief the platoon on the night’s mission.
G47: Montgomery’s penchant for Copenhagen is mentioned by Ross.
G48: The next day’s agenda is laid out.
G49: The squads’ duties are described. We meet Mark Leland, who apologizes for letting the war change him.
G50: We see the camaraderie shared between Joey and his fellow soldiers.
G51:The men snake their way down the road, hopeful that dogs don’t give away their position.
G52: The men walk out of the house and enter the fields.
G53: Joey is informed not to rush.
G54: Montgomery comes upon a single path to take.
G55: The silence is broken.
G56: Montgomery sets off an IED.
G57: Goodwin describes it has the loudest sound he’s ever heard.
G58: The men are scattered by the explosion.
G59: Ross is unable to hear Gilliland asking if he’s been hit.
G60: Gilliland thought Ross was the one hurt. He wasn’t.
G61: Ross says no one could see Joey.
G62: The men had to hold back for fear of nearby IEDs.
G63: Bob Bostick calls for Joey on the radio.
G64: The group of men still cannot see well but eventually push through the smoke.
G65: Rudberg and Gilliland fell into the crater left by the IED. Gilliland’s fall onto Montgomery’s stripped-down rifle leaves him worried.
G66: Gilliland spots what he thinks is a pile of dirt from the crater.
G67: Upon further inspection, he finds Montgomery, whose eyes are open but is essentially cut in half at the waist.
G68: Gilliland knows Montgomery is dead.
G69: Ross agrees.
G70: Rudberg explains how surreal it is to see with night-vision goggles.
G71: The KIA call is made over the radio.
G72: Montgomery is carried out by the men.
G73: The men take turns carrying while people pepper Ross with questions concerning his health.
G74: Gilliland explains he couldn’t let go of the litter holding Montgomery.
G75: Ross put his arm around Montgomery when he wasn’t carrying.
G76: Nobody talked.
G77: Many were in shock.
G78: All had blood on them.
G79: Montgomery is carried to a Humvee and placed on the hood, where he is driven back.
G80: The medic removes Montgomery’s personal belongings and puts Montgomery in a bag.
G81: Bostick wrestles with the aftermath of Montgomery’s death.
G82: Someone other than Bostick informed Micah of his brother’s death.
G83: Bostick and Micah talked only after Bostick’s brother died.
G84: The soldiers that stayed back at base saluted the returning soldiers.
G85: Meeks loses it at this sight.
G86: Ross explains Meeks wasn’t alone.
G87: Montgomery’s body is brought to the base’s morgue.
G88: The chaplain leads the rest of the platoon in prayer.
G89: Many of the men are unable to sleep following Montgomery’s death.
G90: The soldiers carry Montgomery’s body to a Black Hawk helicopter and salute him as his body is taken back home.