Arlington, Virginia
October, 2018
Arlington National Cemetery is a national shrine to those who have honorably served the United States during times of war. It is the final resting place for more than four hundred thousand active duty service members, veterans and their families.
There are approximately thirty-three to thirty-eight funeral services each week. A walk through the cemetery will often be interrupted by a horse-drawn caisson carrying an American flag-draped casket, a firing of three rifle volleys in the distance, or a lone bugler playing twenty-four lingering notes of “Taps.”
On October fifth, the entire Papineau family was on hand in Arlington, Virginia for the re-interment of Sergeant Gerard Papineau and his wife, Ruth, for military funeral honors. The family earlier had attended a briefing in the chapel before the ceremony began.
The caisson arrived at the gravesite, followed by a funeral coach. The caisson held Gerry’s casket, while the trailing coach held Ruth’s casket, as the chaplain led them to the gravesite. Once they reached the site, the Papineau family was seated, and the chaplain stepped forward.
“Today’s ceremony is quite unusual, and I can honestly say it is the first one I have ever experienced. Occasionally, I have presided over the interment of former soldiers several years after their death. But never have I presided at the funeral for a fallen comrade over sixty-five years ago in World War II.
Sergeant Papineau, as many fallen heroes, did not seek recognition for his war deeds of heroism as a gunner on a B-17 in London in 1943. But a hero indeed he was, receiving not only the Distinguished Service Cross in 1944, but also the Distinguished Flying Medal from the RAF in the same year. While Sergeant Papineau survived his wounds as his bomber was downed over Belgium, his years following the war were cut short by illness, and he died of cancer in 1953. I am told he was as brave during his fight against cancer as he had been serving as a gunner during the war.
Sergeant Papineau failed to report his wound to the medical group following his escape from Belgium and, consequently, was never bestowed the Purple Heart Medal, which we will present to the family today.
The true spirit of a hero is to not seek recognition. It falls on the judgement of others to seek recognition for him for his heroic deeds. Sergeant Papineau never acknowledged the bestowment of his Distinguished Service Cross, nor his Distinguished Flying Medal. Those secrets would never have been revealed except through the recent discovery of his meritorious service by his family.
The sons and daughters of Sergeant Papineau grew up for the most part without a father to look up to. But three of those children, who are here today, should be exceptionally proud of their father. While it is difficult for the grandchildren to feel any sense of pride for a grandfather they never knew, remember this special day dedicated solely to his memory, and to the heroic life he lived while serving his country in 1943, and for his heroism in fighting a battle in 1953 he knew he would not win.
On behalf of a grateful nation, the United States Armed Services salutes you today, and may you and your wife rest in peace.”
At the conclusion of the chaplain’s remarks, the officer in command stepped up to the caskets and asked the family to rise for honors. On cue, three armed soldiers initiated three rifle volleys in Gerry’s honor. Following the rifle volley, a distant bugler played “Taps.”
When the ceremony was over, the casket team of soldiers began to fold the flag which had been draped over Gerry’s casket. Once folded, the flag was passed on to the officer in command, who presented it to the family.
There was not a dry eye in the family as the service came to an end. Tony, Lillian and Bill were all teary-eyed. Marge and her two daughters were sobbing freely.
At last, Gerard Papineau was laid to rest where he should have been years ago.