Sailors aboard the guided-missile cruiser USS Philippine Sea (CG 58) conducted a burial at sea ceremony, January 30.
The ceremony honored the lives of 19 retired service members and one spouse.
During the ceremony, the cremated remains of U.S. Navy, U.S. Air Force, and U.S. Army veterans were placed on a white tablecloth, which according to Naval History and Heritage Command, is representative of white sailcloth which was used to ceremoniously wrap Sailors who died while at sea.
Sailors lowered the veterans’ remains individually into the sea, after Philippine Sea’s chaplain, Lt. David Martin, delivered a eulogy.
Martin spoke of how these service members faithfully served and how it is important to remember those who have answered the call-to-service in defense of the nation.
“Not one of us lives for himself, or dies for himself,” said Martin .
The Sailors present were humbled by his words and by the honor of participating in the ceremony.
The crew of the Philippine Sea will be sending mementos from the ceremony to the families.
Philippine Sea is deployed with the George H.W. Bush Carrier Strike Group (GHWBCSG) in support of maritime security operations and theater security cooperation efforts in the U.S. 5th and 6th Fleet areas of operations.