USS Essex Honors Service Members and Families during Burial at Sea

[rangerrebew]

 USS Essex Honors Service Members and Families during Burial at Sea
05 April 2021
From Petty Officer 2nd Class William Phillips

PACIFIC OCEAN - The crew of Wasp-Class amphibious assault ship USS Essex (LHD 2) held a burial at sea for 25 service members and two spouses while at sea in the Pacific Ocean, March 29.

“Some people desire to be buried at sea,” said Cmdr. Ray Rivers, a chaplain assigned to Essex. “To them, being committed to the sea is every bit as important as it is to be buried in a veteran’s cemetery or in a family cemetery. If you believe in the story of creation and the Bible, everything was flooded and nothing but the sea remained; it is important to abide by [the deceased’s] wishes. This blue and green team rose to the occasion.”


Rivers says the character of a nation is measured by how it cares for its dead.

“I want to give them the service they would want,” said Rivers. “It’s that awe of being able to help put this together and lead Sailors and Marines to show their appreciation and to honor these veterans and their families. We could not do [what] we do today without them.”

https://www.navy.mil/Press-Office/News-Stories/Article/2560873/uss-essex-honors-service-members-and-families-during-burial-at-sea/