Military Funeral For
Fallen Navy Corpsman Clayton R. Beauchamp (Jan. 16, 1991 - Aug. 7, 2012)
Aug. 18,2012 (Weatherford, Texas) 14:00 hours, a Military
Funeral was conducted for Navy Hospital Corpsman 3rd Class Clayton R. Beauchamp.
He was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 1st Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat
Team 6.
He gave his last full measure of devotion and love to God, his family
and fellow Americans, on August 7, 2012, during Operation Enduring Freedom in
the Shaban District, Helmand Province, Afghanistan.
Hundreds of patriotic
citizens from Weatherford, Texas lined the streets for their home town hero.
Many more gathered outside the North Side Baptist, while family and friends held
a beautiful funeral service inside. His immediate family and extended family
members included many active duty and former Navy service members. Additionally,
there was a large Navy delegation and members of the other military branches.
There were tributes and tears. His best friend thanked him.
His oldest brother sung a touching rendition of Angel Flight.
When the
service concluded the funeral procession was escorted by the Patriot Guard
Riders of North Texas, to Memory of the Valley Cemetery. More citizens had
gathered at the entrance to pay their last respects. Once the funeral procession
drove into the cemetery they were greeted by Sons of the American Revolution
Honor Guard. Hundreds of small American flags lined the roads.
The
remains were transferred from the coach to the burial site as his parents and
family followed behind. As the Naval pall bearers began removing the American
flag from the casket it began to rain. The crackle of thunder could be heard
nearby, but no one ran for shelter. By the time the pall bearers were half way
finished folding the flag, the rain began to pour down and seemed to disguise
the tears.
The interment service continued with final words from a Navy
Chaplin. At the end of the service the rain had nearly stopped and all that
could be heard was a few sniffles, flags whipping in the wind and thunder.
