The USS Peleliu, which departed its home port of San Diego on Monday, conducted burials-at-sea for deceased military members and family members this week.
You're eligible for burial-at-sea honors if you're active-duty or retired military, or the family member of someone who's serving. And although it's a Navy honor, the deceased can be a member of any branch of the military.
The Sailors and Marines who make up the crew of the USS Peleliu volunteered to take part in the ceremony, by carrying the individual remains of each person to be buried. Marine Lance Cpl. Devin Elliot of Camp Pendleton's 15th MEU, was one of those who participated in the burials-at-sea:
"It keeps us connected to who we are, all of our ancestors, and what they fought and died for. I never thought I'd be able to participate in a Navy tradition."
The Peleliu crew honored the fallen with a 21-gun salute and piping from the Honor Boatswain's Mate.
The Peleliu group, made up of 4,000 Sailors and Marines, left San Diego Monday for a seven-month deployment to the Middle East.
