Sailors aboard littoral combat ship USS Jackson (LCS 6) laid to rest seven military veterans and three military dependents during a burial at sea, Sept. 5.

Six Sailors, one Airman and three military spouses were committed to the sea with military honors, including a three-gun volley.

The ceremony was conducted under the direction of Jackson's Executive Officer Cmdr. Matthew Scarlett and Command Master Chief Christopher Farrar.

"Today, we honor the lives and sacrifices of our fellow brothers in arms and their spouses," said Farrar. "These service members faithfully served their country and defended our way of life. Many of them served in the midst of harm's way. These spouses supported our country by providing assistance on the homefront. Through their legacy, they continue to live as an example for those us who now wear the uniform."

"I was a side boy and had the honor to place the urns into the water," remarked Damage Controlman 2nd Class Joseph Gonzales. "I felt very honored to be a part of the ceremony; it was my first one and definitely won't be my last."

As the master of ceremonies, Farrar called the names of deceased one at a time, while Scarlett took the respective urn and proceeded through the side boy detail to commit the deceased overboard.

After all had been laid to rest, the rifle guard presented a three-gun volley followed by the playing of Taps.

In honor of the service member or dependent, a carefully folded United States flag was presented to Scarlett, who accepted on behalf of the families to give to them once the ship reaches its future homeport of San Diego.

"If you ever get the chance to be a part of a burial at sea, you will not regret it," said Gonzales.

According to http://www.navy.mil/, as long as people have gone to sea the tradition of a burial at sea has been practiced. In earlier times, the body was sewn into a weighted shroud, such as sailcloth, and usually with a religious ceremony, sent over the side and joined with the sea they once sailed.

"It is important to have these ceremonies because it is a tradition that will live forever," added Gonzales. "These men and women deserve to have a proper burial."

Jackson is the third Independence-variant littoral combat ship and is in transit to its homeport of San Diego after having recently completed shock trials early and successfully.

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