Our Corvallis American Legion Post along with the Montana National Guard conducted military honors for Corporal George Simmons who grew up in Corvallis, MT. He enlisted in the US Army and was sent to the Philippines during WW II. He was captured when the Japanese took the Philippines. He survived the "Cabanatuan Death March" but died in a POW camp on 19 November 1942. His remains were recently identified through DNA and those remains were brought back to the United States and were buried on Saturday 18 June 2016 here at the Corvallis Cemetery along side his parents. It was a very moving and inspiring service. I led the Caparisoned Horse (riderless horse) from the cemetery gate to the grave site. What an honor for me. We have used this horse "Dandy" before in a tribute to veterans last year at our rodeo during the Ravalli County Fair. He is owned by Connie's riding buddy Jennifer.
The Army calls this riderless horse the Caparisoned Horse who follows the caissons (6
horses pulling the cart which carries the casket of the fallen
soldier). The caparisoned horse represents the soldier who will no
longer ride in the brigade. The caparisoned horse saddled with a cavalry
saddle, a sword, and backwards boots in the stirrups, symbolizing the
end of his tenure. We have a cavalry saddle and boots, but we do not have a sword nor do we use a caisson.
Here is a link to our local paper's coverage of this funeral.
http://ravallirepublic.com/news/local/article_1c0fedc8-35a6-11e6-a4ae-df7eac03eba4.html
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| Me leading Dandy. |
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| Notice the boots in the stirrup are backwards. |
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| The crowd at the grave site. |
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| The Montana National Guard pallbearers. |
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| Members of the Corvallis American Legion Post getting their rifles ready for the 21 gun salute. |
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| The Army pallbearers practicing the "6 man fold". |
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