finding and telling the stories that need to be told
The Things that Carried Him
Gives background on Collins that reveals his history with Funeral Homes, the process, and his preference of staying outside.
Lays out that the story is taking place in May and he is beginning a new cut.
Making strategic decisions because of circumstances of this grave, but leaves open ended.
The grave is being prepared for a military ceremony. The group of soldiers are practicing their duties for the burial. The men are all quite different.
Don Collin’s father is leading the motorcade of the procession
The coffin is a special kind just for Iraqi soldiers killed in war, The coffin is also decorated specified to the soldier with pictures of friends and moment of the war.
The ceremony went as planned with the ceremonial firing of the guns
Bugler performed but shows the rarity of the role of the burglar
Background on the bugler and how it can be effected
“In my opinion, you can’t close your eyes. There’s a person in a casket in front of you. You want to give them as much as you can.”
The hardship of performing the ceremony is expressed especially when the soldier is so young
The soldier had children
The ceremony proceeds with folding the flag.
The flag is given to a 52 year-old woman (mother?)
General officer says when assigned a funeral, “”You’re never not available.”
The General connected with the wife: Missy.
Pinckney gets emotional at ceremony and reflects on if her son was in the same position, andre (27)
history behind the flag: 13 folds for 13 colonies
Ceremony is over and things progress, casket lowered into ground.
Tombstone not prepared yet for SGT. Joe Montgomery