Funeral Tradition of the SEALs

[mark]

Mr. Divine:

As I read about the funerals and memorials for the fallen, I have wondered about this: When at a funeral ceremony, the SEALs nail their Trident into the coffin. Is the Trident they use their original one, or are they issued a special one just for the funeral?

What is the history of this tradition? Perhaps you could answer this in your Blog?
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Ok - first, the guys will use their own tridents, they are not issued anything for the funeral. This is a very personal send-off. Mr. Monsoor's funeral started a tradition that I hope is enduring. To my knowledge, which on this subject I admit is limited, this is the beginning of the tradition. If any readers know otherwise it would be great for the community to know. I am certain that SEALs have left tridents behind with their fallen teammates before, but not sure it has been done in such a dramatic and coordinated fashion as with Mr. Monsoor.

Great question!
Mark

[StevenO]

Hi Mark;

Actually the SEALs who attended James Suh's funeral back in 2005 did this as well. Here is a link to Matt Heidt's story about it at Froggy Ruminitions. Matt is a SEAL Corpsman:

http://froggyruminations.blogspot.com/2005_07_01_archive.html

[sealwife256]

The last funeral I attended (earlier this year) this was done. My husband and all the others took off their Trident that they were wearing at the time (I'm pretty sure). However it wasn't nailed to the coffin when it was first placed at the viewing (just laid on top), however I wasn't able to see the coffin the next day, so I don't know if they were all nailed in or not.

[sealpup121]

Most of us "older guys" all have stated ( as I have) toss my Trident in my urn and dump my ashes off the strand. So some day as your swimming around the beach at the Hotel Del, if you feel a cold nose at your shoulder, it's just me. If your a good looking babe, my nose will be lower.

[lisalynne10]

if you feel a cold nose at your shoulder, it's just me. If your a good looking babe, my nose will be lower.

How much lower??? :D

The b-i-l has asked to bury him at sea with all his "stuff." So, I guess that's what we'll have to do!