Since 2005 the
National Capital Area Chapter of the 101st Airborne Division
Association has provided representation on behalf of the National Association at
the interment services of Screaming Eagles, active and veterans, buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
It is a distinct privilege, and honor,
to attend the final farewell for our Screaming Eagles, and it is a service the National Capital Area Chapter takes very
seriously.
Interments at Arlington
National Cemetery
are always very moving events and the families of our fallen comrades are
always grief stricken. Besides honoring the Eagles who
are buried at Arlington,
the National Capital Chapter also extends to grieving family members the
sympathy of the National Association and the entire 101st Airborne
Division family.
As a final salute to the service of our fellow Eagles
the National Capital Chapter polices the brass from the firing party, cleans
it, and presents it to the family following the interment ceremony. We have
found this is a service the families appreciate greatly since it gives them
memorabilia from the service which they may then pass on to other family
members who were not in attendance.
Most often, we never see the
families again. However, occasionally the National Capital Chapter receives a
note such as this:
On behalf of the Mathwin family let me thank you for
representing the 101st last Friday. Your service was much appreciated by
all. While my Dad served in many outfits none were as important to him as
the 101st. He thought of himself as a Screaming Eagle and right up to his death
his motto was "all the way." In coming to his send off you
fulfilled that motto for the 101st. We will remember.
I'm going to give the spent rounds you gave to me to his grandchildren.
Gratefully yours,
John Mathwin-(former Spec 4, 1966-1968)
So long as there are Screaming Eagles being interred at Arlington National Cemetery the National
Capital Chapter will continue to provide a final salute to members of our band
of brothers.
Although we do our best to make sure we know when every Screaming Eagle
will be interred sometimes we miss one. If you know of a Screaming Eagle who is
to be interred at Arlington National Cemetery, please feel free
to contact us with details of the ceremony.
Since 2005 the
National Capital Area Chapter of the 101st Airborne Division
Association has provided representation on behalf of the National Association at
the interment services of Screaming Eagles, active and veterans, buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
It is a distinct privilege, and honor,
to attend the final farewell for our Screaming Eagles, and it is a service the National Capital Area Chapter takes very
seriously.
As a final salute to the service of our fellow Eagles
the National Capital Chapter polices the brass from the firing party, cleans
it, and presents it to the family following the interment ceremony. We have
found this is a service the families appreciate greatly since it gives them
memorabilia from the service which they may then pass on to other family
members who were not in attendance.