06/05/05

"In loving Memory of SSG Barton Siler written by my friend Mark Whitt. Tears of thankfulness for his sacricifce flow as I read it.

~ Roger and Lisa Hawkins

by Mark Whitt - friend of Barton Siler

Thanks guys. I went to Ssgt Barton Siler's funeral yesterday. Col Archer, you knew him and Mike and Don, he helped deliver the Sherman tank last March. Of the six men that helped, he took a special interest in Travis, my son. He sent us an "I volunteer sir " pin and we had sent him a care package while he was in Iraq.

Let me tell you about the funeral. I have never been to anything like it. There was a HET outside with a black ribbon on the door with Siler's name on it. There were several Humvee's and trucks. We got there about a half hour early and got a chance to speak with his dad and wife. I gave them both a package of pics that I had taken when the tank was delivered and many of them had Barton front and center. They were very appreciative of it and his dad said that Barton had spoken to him about the Sherman. His dad commented on what a good looking son that I had.

There was a huge American flag above the coffin draped from the ceiling as well as numerous flowers around. There was a big screen tv up on the stage that showed a lot of pictures of Barton with his 3 year old daughter in uniform with him. Many pics of the deployment to Iraq and pics of him with children and his buddies there too. Also pics of the boots with the weapon in the ground with the helmet on top.

Two ROTC cadets walked in smartly up to the casket and popped a smart salute and held it for a solid minute. They did an about face and left. I spoke briefly with Col. Osborne about the project and he told me about you being deployed Col Archer. I hope that all is well there.

The funeral started with a beautiful song about a soldier serving in the middle east. Must have been locally written, I had not heard it before. Col Osborne read a letter from Ssgt Barton's CO and from Col Archer. They were both very insightful and touching. Not a dry eye in the house. His dad and wife were presented with the bronze star, Tennessee Army National Guard meritorious service award and good conduct medal. More music and then his pastor spoke as well as another pastor. Yes, his pastor assured us that he was a born again Christian. He had a picture of Barton on his mantel and promised not to take it down until he returned home. He said that he is home now.

When all was finished they played Amazing Grace on the bagpipes. The Guards men got up and filed by the casket first with each of them stopping and saluting Barton with a slow deliberate salute. Very touching. We all filed past him and I saluted him too.

The town of Lafollette literally came to a halt when the procession pulled out. The procession was a mile long if it was an inch and went down thru town and took a left to head on a twenty mile drive out to a private cemetary up on the side of a hill surrounded by a forest. What impressed me most on that drive out there was the number of people on the side of the road who were out of their cars, businessess, passersby or what ever saluting, hands over their hearts, and waving the American flag. Some held up signs telling how proud they were of Ssgt Siler and the 278th. All this spread over that 20 mile route.

The funeral site was hot and humid as it can be here in the south. When all finally arrived at the top of the hill in that clearing the service started. The pall bearers, all soldiers in full dress pulled the casket out as the color guard went to attention as well as the team to do the 21 gun salute. There probably were 50 soldiers there including the VFW as well as that many more civilians. Everyone was saluting or hands over their hearts. A fellow was playing a Scottish tune on the bagpipes as the casket was delivered to the burial site. The soldiers took the flag and folded it and presented it to the family. Then the bagpipeman played Amazing Grace and as he did he began to walk away and down the hill before he stopped. Then the 21 gun salute was presented. A prayer was done and then it was over. Some balloons were let go too. Channel 6,8, and 10 were there to cover the funeral.

Totally professional and all Americans should see this at some point. Travis and I were there to honor Ssgt Barton Siler and it makes this tank project all the more poignent. We will never forget gentlemen. Thank you for your service.

~ Mark and Travis Whitt

Email Copyright to Mark Whitt - writer.