The majority of the Capitol region’s military community isn’t in the Naval Yard or Marine Barracks or on Ft. Myer or either of the area’s two Air Force bases. It’s in Arlington National Cemetery, and with the burial of Army Specialist Stephen G. Zapasnik there yesterday, Washington, D.C. welcomed another service member to its military community.
The 19-year old Zapasnik, who was killed with two others (Spec. Stephen M. Okray, 21, and Staff Sergeant Christopher G. Smith, 28, both from Michigan) when their Humvee rolled off a collapsed road in Iraq on December 24, 2008, was interred in Section 60, 8879 of the nation’s second-largest military cemetery on January 6, 2009. The small ceremony, at which Zapasnik received standard graveside honors (a casket team, firing party, and bugler), took place in bone-chilling rain and cold. Having lived in Washington my entire life, I’ve noted that it reliably rains here on sad occasions (Memorial Day, some less-than-celebrated inaugurations) – and yesterday was no exception.
The casket team removes Zapasnik's casket from the hearse.
The proceedings were short, quiet, and characterized by the dignified simplicity that is the least due to someone who died for his country’s sake. The six-member casket team slid the casket out of the silver hearse, step by step, heels clicking, and carried it quickly through the rain, up a pathway covered by corrugated metal sheeting. They passed two small rows of empty chairs and set it down on a low platform before removing the plastic cover that protected the golden-brown grain of the wood from the water. Then, they unfolded a flag over the casket and stood at attention as Major Stanton Trotter, the chaplain presiding, stepped forward to offer prayers.
From where I stood at a distance, along with the other press (two photographers and a Washington Post reporter), I could only hear bits and pieces of what Trotter said – “serve our nation,” “in the hands of almighty God,” “ashes to ashes.” He gestured to the rows of graves behind him and the family in front of him – Zapasnik’s mother, Chris Zapasnik; his sister, Ashley Zapasnik; and a close friend, Chris Hamil. (Zapasnik’s father is recovering from surgery and was unable to attend.) When Trotter finished, the sharp crack of the gun salute broke the silence. And as the air cleared, the warm, brassy sound of 'Taps' being played by the bugler, who stood a ways off, alone – and yet not – amongst the graves, broke the chill and brought the ceremony’s meaning home.
Yesterday’s ceremony was marked by several simple, but meaningful, moments: the gun salute, the playing of 'Taps', the folding of the flag. The casket team completed this last task fast but carefully. One of the soldier’s hands slipped as he tucked in the final corner and handed it to the man across from him, who held it close for a few seconds before passing it down the line. The officer in charge, Major General Richard J. Rowe, Jr., Commanding General of the U.S. Army Military District of Washington and Joint Force Headquarters – National Capitol Region, then presented the flag to Zapasnik’s family. At the same time, the casket team left the gravesite, silently crossed the street, kept walking, and was soon out of sight.
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As Zapasnik's family watches, the casket team unfolds the flag over his coffin.
Both Rowe and Secretary of the Army Pete Geren were there to offer their condolences to Zapasnik’s family, as was Evelyn Majauskas, a representative of the Arlington Ladies, who send someone to every Arlington funeral, to ensure that no one is buried alone. Appearing on behalf of the chief of staff of the Army and the entire Army family, Majauskas offered a card of condolences to the Zapasniks.
I can’t tell you what happened next. Us members of the press were escorted away. The family filed back to the asphalt road. Everyone piled into their cars and SUVs and left. Spec. Zapasnik would be buried in private.
Originally from Broken Arrow, Oklahoma, Tulsa World reported on December 26, 2008, that Stephen Zapasnik joined the Army at 17 and completed basic training at Fort Sill (also in Oklahoma). He served in the Army’s 3rd Battalion, 16th Field Artillery Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 4th Infantry Division, which is based out of Fort Carson, Colorado.
Though Tulsa World reported that Zapasnik wanted to go to Iraq “more than anything,” his MySpace status reveals his desire for home: “I WANT TO SEE SOME GRASS PLEASE!!!!” His profile page depicts him as a 19-year old “average joe that likes sex, money, and Artillery, in that order” and whose “goal for this year” is “don’t die in Iraq.” Unfortunately, he fell just short of that goal, but judging from the many messages of condolence left by friends and family, he will be remembered as much more than average by many people.
Welcome to Washington, Specialist Zapasnik. We’ll take good care of you.
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