Dean Albert Longbottom

West Point, 1955

Be Thou At Peace

Posted by Carl McNair on January 11, 2013:

Final Salute to Dean Longbottom, USMA Class of 1955, Company H-1 Fellow Members of the Class of 1955: Our classmate and lifelong friend, Dean Albert Longbottom, was laid to rest with full honors at Arlington National Cemetery on Monday morning, January 7, 2013, surrounded by family, friends and classmates. Academy attendees living locally included Ed Anderson, VP Class of 1955, Bill Harris (H-1 Company mate), Tom West, John Sloan, Ruth Sloan, and Carl McNair, as well as Mrs. Marie Spara, widow of COL Jeff Spare, USMA '72, who served as the Arlington Lady for the services, representing and presenting the condolences of General Ray Odierno, '76, Chief of Staff, US Army. The Mass of the Resurrection and funeral services were conducted in the Old Post Chapel at Fort Myer, VA, with Dean's grandson presenting the Eulogy of behalf of the family. Mary Longbottom, Dean's loving and caring wife of many years, was also accompanied by her two daughters, Beth Meridith and Anne, two granddaughters, grandson and other family members and friends from Fayetteville including a close neighbor/friend from USMA '58. The Old Post Chapel has great historic significance in that it was built in 1935 under the Command and Direction of then Post Commander, George S. Patton, Jr, and is now the Ceremonial Chapel for over 600 memorial services and funerals annually. Among the noted Clergy to have presided over funerals therein were Cardinal Francis Spellman and the Reverend Billy Graham. Following the Chapel Services, all stood silently at attention on the Chapel steps, hands over hearts or rendering the hand salute, as the Army Band played, Army and National Colors blowing in the chill morning breeze, the Honor Guard held their salutes as the caisson was prepared for the processional to the gravesite within the cemetery. It was a typical January "West Point Grey Day", cloudy overcast, temperature hovering at a very cool 39-40 degrees. If there had been a uniform flag flying, it would have called for short overcoats, scarves and gloves. Upon reaching the gravesite, all stood silently and respectfully, hands over heart or again rendering the hand salute, as the urn was removed from the transit casket by the burial detail, resplendent in their dress blue uniforms, and carried carefully and slowly to the burial shelter, followed by Mary and her family who took their seats in front of the flag, now unfolded and outstretched, held taut over the urn by six sets of strong soldiers' arms. Here, Mary yielded her next-of-kin seat of honor at the end of the front family row to their grandson who would soon receive on behalf of the family the folded flag that had been the final earthly cover of his beloved grandfather's remains. The Priest rendered the fitting words of scripture and his prayer of committal, then sprinkled the urn with Holy Water whereupon all rose for the final rifle salute, three volleys from seven riflemen, 21 shots in all, executed by soldiers of the historic 3d Infantry Regiment posted on a knoll nearby, "crack, crack, crack" all in perfect unison. As echoes of the shots were reflected across the cemetery, a lone bugler raised his instrument to his lips and played the mournful and traditional "Taps", culminating our nation's honors to this fallen comrade. The burial detail, still holding the outstretched flag over the urn, quickly, smoothly and reverently folded the covering flag into a compact and perfect tricorner, passed it gently to the Detail Commander, who turned, went down on one knee and placed it softly in the hands of the proud young grandson, who had lived most of his life in a house only two doors down the street from his grandparents. With this flag and the final detail salute to the flag, their love and family devotion will remain unbroken. Marie Spara then came forward with her military escort to present a personal note from the Chief of Staff, Army, and express the condolences of the Army Dean had served faithfully over the years. With this final gesture, the services were concluded and folks turned to one another to reflect on their own memories and shared experiences before returning to their vehicles. In life there is joy; in death, there is sadness; yet as the mourning family rises from their seats and the last note of Taps at historic Arlington fades under the noise of airliners landing at nearby Washington National Airport, smiles of joy and fond memories of brighter days begin to break through the tears of sadness as hugs are exchanged, embraces shared between family and friends, a kiss on the cheek and a final farewell, remembering a loved one who "has fought the good fight, finished the race, and kept the faith," as was done by Dean Albert Longbottom in his final eight months with the cancer that took him from our midst. Dean was the 177th member of the Class of 1955 to be laid to rest of the 470 who shared that beautiful day of June 7, when we said "farewell to Kaydet Grey and donned the Army Blue." May he and all our other departed comrades now rest in honored glory in the Arms of the Almighty. Respectfully and Faithfully -- Grip Hands! Carl McNair Classmate, Friend and Fellow Soldier

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