By Liz Dunn, NCCOA Marketing & Communications Director
America’s naval service began during the American Revolution when on Oct. 13, 1775, the Continental Congress authorized a few small ships, thus creating the Continental Navy. What began with 22 commissioned officers is now close to 350,000 personnel, comprising the U.S. Navy. From those early days of naval service, certain core values have carried on to today and are evident in every walk of naval life. These core values are Honor, Courage and Commitment. For the purpose of this column, I’d like to add one more: Respect.
On April 11, we accompanied my Dad – RADM S. Frank Gallo (Ret) – to his final resting place at Arlington National Cemetery, Washington, DC. Family, friends, colleagues and shipmates paid their respects to a man whose legacy lives on in the many people he touched along the way. It was a perfect day…everything Dad would have hoped for. On that day, nowhere was respect more evident than in every moment of his military funeral honors service.
The morning began at the Old Post Chapel on Fort Myer, adjacent to Arlington National Cemetery. As a retired military officer – an admiral – Dad received an entire funeral escort of U.S. Navy Sailors, including a casket team, caisson, firing party, bugler, marching element and military band.
Throughout Dad’s funeral service and military honors, with tender discipline and intentional perfection, U.S. Navy Sailors stood at attention, carried his casket, placed it on the caisson, marched in unison through the cemetery and delivered him to his final resting place. The Sailors folded — and even refolded — the U.S. flag that draped his casket to a perfect tri-corner. I’m sure none of these Sailors knew him personally, but I wanted them to know that Dad deeply respected them and their service. As they respected his.
According to Oxford Languages, respect is defined as “a feeling of deep admiration for someone or something elicited by their abilities, qualities or achievements.” Dad had countless abilities, qualities and achievements. In his 35-year career in the U.S. Navy and 15 years as the national executive director of the Armed Services YMCA, he led tens of thousands. While he was known as an accomplished aviator, strategist and operational expert, his legacy was his approach to leadership and his no-nonsense “do the right thing” style which permeated his every action.
Arlington National Cemetery, our nation’s most hallowed ground, is the final resting place for approximately 400,000 active-duty service members, veterans and their families. This historic cemetery bears witness to American heritage and the military service and sacrifice of men and women in uniform throughout U.S. history. With the utmost respect, Dad is now one of them.
Thank you for your service, Dad, and deepest gratitude and respect to the Sailors who carried you home.
Sources: www.arlingtoncemetery.mil, www.navy.mil