San Antonio Conducts First Burial at Sea

USS SAN ANTONIO, At Sea (NNS) -- USS San Antonio (LPD 17) crew members committed the souls of seven Sailors to the sea Jan. 14 during a burial at sea ceremony off the ship's flight deck.

This was the first time San Antonio conducted a burial at sea ceremony.

"It was a great privilege for me to be able to perform this ceremony on board San Antonio," said Lt. Leemon Brown, San Antonio's command chaplain. "Not only was this a first for San Antonio, but it was my first opportunity to perform burials at sea as well."

Commanding Officer, Cmdr. Kurt Kastner echoed Brown's sentiment.

"Conducting this ceremony was a great opportunity for San Antonio and an absolute privilege for me," Kastner beamed. "The Burial at Sea is... rich in history and tradition. I think that anytime we can infuse history and tradition into our daily routine and operations, we owe it to our Navy to do so. These Sailors we committed to the sea this morning our part of the history and heritage that make our Navy the greatest in the world."

Brown added that it is a great honor for any ship.

"To be able to participate in the oldest of seafaring ceremonies is very special and brings with it a solemn atmosphere to all who observe. To hear the words, 'All hands, bury the dead,' and then at the conclusion to hear 'Taps' drives home the seriousness and finality of the event," said Brown.

Of the seven Sailors buried, two were retired Sailors, four were veterans and one was on active duty. During the ceremony, Kastner reflected on the more than just the ceremony.

"I wondered what these men and woman were like, personal traits, where they had served," Kastner stated. "Many of the committals today were World War II veterans. I received an e-mail from one of the families that included a copy of a letter written to one of the Sailors in 1948 when he departed for boot camp. It was very heartwarming and made the ceremony a little more personal."

Brown was honored to participate in the ceremony and stated that he didn't realize all of the detail that went into performing a burial at sea.

"The families of the seven Sailors that were honored aboard San Antonio today can be proud of the Navy and especially the crew of San Antonio for the honor rendered to their loved ones," said Brown.

For more news from USS San Antonio, visit www.news.navy.mil/local/lpd17/.