I just returned from a trip to Washington D. C. I attended the funeral of a man I looked up to, Brigadier General Terry Butler. Terry was my oldest cousin on my Dad's side of the family.
His military story reads like a movie script, joined the Army during Viet Nam as a private, showed an aptitude for flying and became a Chinook pilot, serving two tours. After the war the Army was dropping pilots like hot rocks, so Terry transferred to the Air Force and learned to fly jets, then finally settled down flying C-130s for the WV Air Guard, eventually attaining the rank of General. His retirement was cut terribly short by ALS.
I served in the Army for 9 years and I have been a police officer for 28, so I have seen some official funerals, but I had never been present for a funeral with all the military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. From the Air Force Band and horse drawn caisson to the C-130 flying from WV to do a fly by over the ceremony, it was a humbling experience. I hated to say good bye to my cousin, but I was honored to see him receive the send off he deserved.
His military story reads like a movie script, joined the Army during Viet Nam as a private, showed an aptitude for flying and became a Chinook pilot, serving two tours. After the war the Army was dropping pilots like hot rocks, so Terry transferred to the Air Force and learned to fly jets, then finally settled down flying C-130s for the WV Air Guard, eventually attaining the rank of General. His retirement was cut terribly short by ALS.
I served in the Army for 9 years and I have been a police officer for 28, so I have seen some official funerals, but I had never been present for a funeral with all the military honors at Arlington National Cemetery. From the Air Force Band and horse drawn caisson to the C-130 flying from WV to do a fly by over the ceremony, it was a humbling experience. I hated to say good bye to my cousin, but I was honored to see him receive the send off he deserved.
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