PVT Ryan comes back

Last edition I mentioned that the remains of Private Edward M. Ryan, of the 105^th Infantry, had been positively identified by the Department of Defense POW/MIA Agency. His remains were then repatriated to the United States from the island of Saipan after 78 years for burial at Arlington National Cemetery.

His only family consists of distant relatives from around the US, none of whom knew him. This is one of the sorrows of war, as family members go off and are taken from you before you even get a chance to know them. Children without parents, grandchildren never knowing their grandparents.

Once DOD contacted the family and it was determined that the internment would take place at Arlington one of our members, LTC (R) Brian Murphy took note. As a member of the 105^th Infantry when he was in the NYARNG, Brian felt that he should pay his respects by attending. Brian was able to get the contact information for the assigned Casualty Assistance Officer for the family and through them get permission to attend. Vince Memole, the 27^th Division Association 2d Vice Commander, another LTC (R) and former 105^th officer, also asked permission to attend. Finally, joining them in an official capacity would be LTC Roberta Comerford, the Association National Commander, who serves as a Public Affairs Officer for the NYARNG.

When the family made a request of the Association, trying to find a photo of PVT Ryan, we searched our records and reached out to the State Military Museum. Unfortunately, PVT Ryan joined the Division after the official photos were taken at Fort McClellan and we were unable to find anything. We decided that we couldn’t just let it end there and that the Association needed to do something for the family, to serve as a memento of their loved one.

It was then determined that a shadow box would be created with all of the appropriate medals and insignia that PVT Ryan was entitled to would be made, so that we could present it to the family at the internment. 

When the funeral is for either service members of a certain rank or those who have fallen in battle, the ceremony gets much more robust.

A hearse brings the casket to a release point on the edge of the burial sector where it is met with the caisson and the bearer section.

There the casket is transferred to the caisson from the hearse and slowly the procession winds its way down the road to the approach to the burial plot.

On site, are also the color guard, the musicians and the firing party, ready to render honors to the fallen.

The casket is draped in the United States flag which is carefully removed and folded before being presented to the family.

Everything about a military funeral is done either in silence or hushed tones, to preserve the solemnity of the occasion. Movements are timed in the Soldier’s heads and executed simultaneously with exacting precision. This is both a sign of professionalism and also of respect for the deceased’s service.

With the sharp cracks of the rifle salute and the mournful strains of Taps fading into the morning mist, the ceremony comes to a conclusion.

It was then that Vince Memole presented the shadow box to the family as a way for them to connect across the decades to someone they never knew (and perhaps share that with future generations of the family).

Private Ryan, you can finally rest at ease, knowing that you are home and your loved ones no longer have to wonder about your final resting place. Another “Appleknocker†is safely home.

Orion!