Posted by Joe Tedeschi on September 11, 2015:

Dear Fellow-Forumites, On Saturday, 5 September, I attended the funeral Mass for Bud Miller, my '57 classmate and friend. It was a wonderful, sun-splashed day, and the view of the Hudson Valley from the deck of the Most Holy Trinity (MHT) Chapel was especially beautiful. Bud's family was fully in attendance, and what a tribute it was to Bud's legacy and the Long Grey Line, to see Sue Miller, daughter Catherine, son MG Scott Miller, their families to include his grandsons and granddaughters all in splendid uniforms there. Prominent among them and seated separately were Bud's grandson Christopher Canty, a First Class Cadet and a squad of his classmates. The Dean of Academics, Brig. Gen. Timothy E. Trainor USMA '83, was also in attendance. I arrived at the MHT Chapel early, and observed the MHT Chapel pastor, Father Ken Nielson, CH(Maj), preparing the altar and readings, and "from somewhere," I was inspired to ask him if he needed any assistance at the funeral Mass since I was a deacon in the Diocese of Trenton, and a friend and classmate of Bud Miller. Fr. Nielson readily and graciously agreed, and the search began for an alb and a deacon's stole to vest me (no deacons at MHC Chapel, hence no deacons vestments readily available). As we were searching, I became aware of a third person, another priest, in the sacristy and realized that Fr. Nielson would not be celebrating the Mass, and that this other priest would be. I was introduced to Fr. Paul Hurley, MG, Chief of Army Chaplains, USMA '84. There followed for me a mixture of admiration, awe and respect for rank (both ecclesiastic and military), recognition of what a special thing was being done for my classmate, and (I allowed myself) a sop to "old grad" status (geez, I was well into my Army career when this guy was born!). This is where it all came together -- the bonds that truly unite us -- where rank and old grad status mean nothing and all those incredible words in our Alma Mater and The Corps really matter, and hit home and mean something. I could not have been more comfortable with an old time friend and colleague for the remainder of Bud's funeral Mass than I was with Father Paul Hurley. This is what "collegiality" means in the purest and most spiritual sense of the word. We truly "celebrated" Bud's life, and in my role as Deacon at Mass, I was honored and privileged to have a "front seat" and to be part of it all. We recited the ancient liturgy and rituals with scripture readings, prayers and words that give us hope and promise of eternal life. Bud was eulogized by both his cadet grandson, Christopher Canty, and by his general officer son, Scott, and in his homily, Fr. Hurley relied upon verse 3 of our Alma Mater to say what we were all feeling about Bud: "Well done (Bud). Be thou at Peace." Finally, at the very conclusion of the Mass liturgy, as Deacon of the Mass, I have the honor and sad duty to announce to all there, "In peace, let us take our brother to his place of rest." With those words, we processed from the MHT Chapel and motored to the West Point cemetery just a short distance away. The committal ceremony was done with all the dignity and the exact military precision we can all hope to expect. My share of military funerals attended may be on the high side, but may I never be in the least inured by the appropriateness and the solemnity of the ceremony. So it was with Bud's funeral. The solemnity was only lightened by Bud's son-in-law, Paul Canty, when he placed a "BEAT NAVY" pin on top of Bud's urn. The new colimberium is wonderfully sited and a welcome addition to the West Point cemetery. Scott Miller is a true son-of-the-son of the Class of "57, and we readily agreed that we needed a photo taken of us at the Class of "57, black colored, water fountain located just outside the main gate of the cemetery. (For those who may not know, the Class of '57 will forever be remembered for breaking ranks at graduation parade and running across the parade field to the reviewing position. This "breach of discipline" earned us the sobriquet, "Black '57.") Photo attached. The day ended with a reception and lunch at Herbert Hall. A power point slide show of Bud's life and times played throughout, and a table was laid out with memorabilia of Bud alongside a collage of Bud's life on an easel and, of course, the Black '57 flag. More photos attached. I was privileged to be part of this tribute to Bud's life, and to be able to report it to you, fellow-forumites, for whom Bud had the greatest respect and regard. Joe Tedeschi, '57

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