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Flying
Over the Grave
Copyright
March 5, 2012, by Tom Gilbert (all rights reserved)
It was one week ago that we buried my father's remains at Fort
Leavenworth National Cemetery in Kansas.
Dad was a full colonel when he retired from the Air Force after 26
years of distinguished service. He'd been a pilot through it all and
flew some of the most prestigious aircraft of the day, including the
B-58 bomber (the
Hustler) and the F-4 Phantom fighter jet.
My dad died on January 14th of this year and I wrote about that
previously (The Pilot Who Soared on Eagles Wings). Because of his
military career we wanted to make sure that he got his burial with
military honors. His remains were cremated and stored in an urn until
the appointed day on February 27.  Dad would be laid to rest in the same
plot with Mom. She preceded him in death in June of 2006. They share
the headstone, the white monolith design that you see in all national
cemetaries.
The day was sunny, but a bit breezy and cold. My sister, brother and I
sat in the front row of the modest outdoor pavilion. Our priest friend,
Father Dennis, gave a homily and provided the prayer service. A
military honor guard folded and presented an American flag to my
sister. When the guns for the final salute were fired we couldn't help
but sob. Tears flowed - tears of gratitude, sorrow and pride for our
dad's life and service. Taps played next. It was a solemn and special
event.
We really felt our father deserving of a military flyover. It is
someting that is done on occasion for certain military burials. My
brother had taken on the project of writing the powers who could grant
this and stating the case for it. He got it approved, but the flyover
was still contingent on an Air Force plane being in flight and in the
vicinity to re-route their flight plan.
We waited and hoped. No jet flew over. But when Dad's remains were
finally in the ground we put a picture by the grave and said a
prayer. Afterwards I happened to glance up. High above and straight
over us flew a large jet, probably a commercial airliner, trailing twin
contrails of white vapor.
I had to smile. It wasn't a regulation flyover. But it served the
purpose. So long, Dad.
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