A silent breeze tugged at Sailors' dress blue uniforms as they stood facing a muted afternoon sky and empty blue ocean.

They stood on the starboard aircraft elevator of amphibious assault ship USS Iwo Jima (LHD 7) as their Chaplain, Cmdr. Paul Tremblay, committed the remains of 18 service members and two family members during a burial at sea ceremony Feb. 18.

Among those committed was retired Capt. Warner Hutchinson, who was himself a Navy chaplain.

"He had served for 25 years and retired as a captain," said Tremblay. "I thought it was kind of cool that I, serving as a chaplain, had the chance to pay my respects to a fellow Navy chaplain. It's a sacred honor to be able to do this for his family."

Tremblay also spoke of the impression taking part in the ceremony would have on young Sailors.

"I think today's generation of Sailors getting involved in this gives them an opportunity to think beyond their service today and reflect on how they might serve moving forward," said Tremblay.

One participant, Aviation Electronics Technician Airman Jared Healey, said he would consider burial at sea for himself.

"The ceremony was respectful and I was honored to be a part of it," said Healey. "By being in the ceremony, I thought it seemed very important and think that I would want to have this happen to me as well -- just an amazing experience."

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