Yesterday, I had the privilege to attend the funeral at Arlington National Cemetery of my next door neighbour, Jack Doherty.

Jack was born in Malden Massachusetts on 6 February 1924. He enlisted into the United States Navy in March 1942, aged 18, and served at sea throughout the Second World War. This was the first of three wars that he experienced first-hand; he also served in Korea and Vietnam. That service earned him three awards of the Combat Action Ribbon, the Korean Service Medal, with two service stars, and the Vietnam Service Medal, also with two service stars. In addition to the USS Natchez, his sea time was spent in the destroyer USS Robert A. Owens, the amphibious assault ship USS Guadalcanal, the communications relay ship (a converted escort carrier) USS Annapolis, and USS Okanogan, an attack transport. Jack retired after 27 years’ service in December 1969. He had married Lillie in 1948.

Jack was accorded full military honours. The cool, autumn morning began with a short Mass at the Old Post Chapel in Fort Myer before Jack’s flag-covered casket was placed onto the caisson by eight Navy pallbearers, all of whom were junior enlisted Sailors. The horse-drawn caisson is the responsibility of the Unites States Army Caisson Platoon, from the 3^rd United States Infantry Regiment based at Fort Myer; the squad on duty was first class. The cortege was led by the ceremonial unit of the United States Navy Band, the colour party and an escort platoon and, at a brisk pace, with appropriately ‘brisk’ music, it marched almost 2½ miles through the cemetery to the burial site. A short prayer was followed by three rifle volleys, ‘Taps’—played perfectly—and the presentation to Lillie of the immaculately folded flag from his casket. It was an impressive farewell.

Arlington National Cemetery is a credit to the United States and to those who maintain its traditions. It is immense—it covers 624 acres and, since the first burial on 13 May 1864, over 400,000 people have been interred amongst its gently rolling hills. There is much to be seen, from the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at the impressive Memorial Amphitheater; to monuments commemorating the Civil War (the Confederate memorial is particularly impressive) and most of the wars since; monuments to the dead from Operation EAGLE CLAW—the failed Iran rescue operation—and those killed in the space shuttle tragedies.

The day prior to Jack’s funeral, I found the 12 graves of those who died during the First World War and which are maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission—a commemorative piece on each of these men is here.

These are not the only Empire or Commonwealth commemorations. There are twenty burials from the Second World War. Amongst them is that of Field Marshall Sir John Dill, Chief of the British Joint Staff Mission—over his grave on Roosevelt Drive is an imposing statue of him and, nearby, the citations of the joint resolution of appreciation passed by Congress and of a posthumous award of the Distinguished Service Medal. Near the Memorial Amphitheater, and unique in the United States, is a Cross of Sacrifice. It was proposed by the Canadian Prime Minister in 1925 to commemorate ‘Citizens of the United States who served in the Canadian Army and gave their lives in the Great War’ and was dedicated in 1927. Similar inscriptions were added after the Second World War and the Korean War. You can read more about the Cross here.

It is hard to imagine a more perfect commemoration of a nation’s servicemen and women than Arlington National Cemetery.

Lieutenant Commander John Thomas ‘Jack’ Doherty, United States Navy (Retired)

1924 – 2014

requiescat in pace