Burial at Sea

Chief Warrant Officer 3 Rob Holland plays taps at the completion of a burial at sea ceremony aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72). Lincoln conducted the solemn and sacred tradition of burial at sea for 11 former service members during its transit home to Everett, Washington.

Cmdr. Mindy Suszan, commanding officer of Navy Strike and Air Warfare Center, salutes during a burial at sea for her husband, Lt. Cmdr. Glen Hansen, during a ceremony aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

Capt. Patrick D. Hall, commanding officer of Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72), carries a flag to present to the wife of Lt. Cmdr. Glen Hansen during a burial at sea aboard Lincoln.

Flag bearers stand by with flags and urns prior to a burial at sea ceremony aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

Flag bearers bow their heads in prayer during a burial at sea ceremony aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

Gunner's Mate 3rd Class Benjamin Smith and other members of a firing detail fire three volleys during a burial at sea ceremony aboard Nimitz-class aircraft carrier USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72).

Photos by Petty Officer 3rd Class James Evans


Sailors aboard USS Abraham Lincoln (CVN 72) conducted a traditional burial at sea ceremony during their transit back home to Everett, Aug. 19. The cremated remains of Navy retired Lt. Cmdr. Glen “Lefty” Hansen; Lt. Joseph Walter Duffy; Lt. James F. Tenny; Fireman Alfred Raul Wolfskill; Boatswain’s Mate 1st Class Kenneth Merle Salmon; Chief Petty Officer Gerald L. Sullivan; Fireman Carl Dee Williams; Chief Engineman Shirl Blair Griffin; Aviation Storekeeper 2nd Class Glade M. Mills; and U.S. Air Force retired, Airman 2nd Class Terry Arther Reed; and U.S. Army retired, Pvt. Stephen A Weiss were committed to the sea during the ceremony.

“Burial at sea is one of the most honorable things that we do as Sailors,” said Lincoln Command Chaplain, Cmdr. John Swanson. “It allows us to pay tribute to those who have served our country honorably.”

With its colors flying at half-mast, the 97,000-ton aircraft carrier was brought to a halt and all topside work stopped as the burial at sea detail, consisting of 50 Sailors in dress white uniforms, assembled on one of the ship’s massive aircraft elevators.