A Father’s Last March Duty, Honor, and Eternal Rest

A Father’s Last March

Duty, Honor, and Eternal Rest

Charles Romans

The Ashland Beacon

There are few honors in a nation’s life more solemn and profound than to be laid to rest at Arlington National Cemetery. It is not merely a burial—it is a powerful acknowledgment of service, sacrifice, and an enduring legacy. Arlington is more than a cemetery; it is sacred ground where the valor of American men and women is etched into the very soil. To be granted a final resting place among these hallowed rows is a privilege afforded to few and cherished by those who receive it.

Arlington National Cemetery, part of the Army National Military Cemeteries, encompasses both the renowned grounds in Arlington, Virginia, and the Soldiers’ and Airmen’s Home National Cemetery in Washington, D.C. The latter, one of the nation’s oldest military cemeteries, holds over 14,000 veterans, including those who fought in the Civil War. It also provides burial space for residents of the Armed Forces Retirement Home—underscoring the nation’s promise to honor those who served, from the battlefield to retirement.

Each weekday, Arlington National Cemetery conducts between 24 and 27 funeral services, excluding federal holidays. As their official mission states, “The grounds honor those who have served our nation and provide a sense of beauty and peace for our guests.” Spanning 639 acres, Arlington is a national symbol of honor, reverence, and continuity, where every name etched in stone speaks volumes about courage, duty, and devotion.

Recently, local woman Michelle Woods experienced this solemn privilege firsthand as she witnessed her father, Richard Kenneth Farlow, laid to rest within Arlington’s revered expanse. “It was during a heatwave, so it wasn’t a typical service because they had to do part of the service indoors,” Woods recalled. Yet, despite the unusual circumstances, she described the experience as profoundly humbling.

Farlow served his country during the Vietnam War, from 1969 through 1976. Following his military career, he continued serving the nation as a civilian employee within the Intelligence Community. Much of his professional life remained shrouded in confidentiality, and Woods did not actually meet her father until she was sixteen. Despite the late reunion, the military ultimately served as a bridge between them.

“I joined the Navy,” Woods explained. She served with distinction, earning the rank of E3 as a Parachute Rigger. While stationed in Washington, D.C., she worked in the Detailer’s Office and lived with her father and stepmother—an experience that brought them closer together in meaningful ways.

Arranging a funeral at Arlington requires careful planning and patience. Farlow had passed away three years prior, and the family held an initial funeral and cremation. The Arlington ceremony, however, served as his formal inurnment—where his urn was placed in its final resting place with full military honors.

“Arlington National Cemetery is one of the most secure locations you can imagine,” Woods said. Rightly so, given its historic role in commemorating American military service since its establishment on May 13, 1864. The day of the service was meticulously coordinated. With a small group of around 30 family and friends in attendance, the funeral procession followed a designated Liaison to the burial site, ensuring everything unfolded with dignity and precision.

“Once we got out of our vehicles, the Honor Guard was already lined up,” Woods recalled. Her father’s ashes were respectfully carried to the designated location where the outdoor portion of the service took place. There, his military career and commendations were formally acknowledged before the urn was placed and sealed among the countless others who had served with honor.

Despite the summer heat, Woods was moved by the care and professionalism displayed. “They didn’t skimp on anything,” she said. While somber, the ceremony was also uplifting—a once-in-a-lifetime experience, as she described it. She expressed deep gratitude knowing that her father’s final resting place would be eternally maintained, a promise guaranteed to all interred at Arlington.

“Arlington National Cemetery did an amazing job and honored my dad with what I believe is the highest honors you can receive,” Woods said. “I know he was looking down the past few days with the biggest smile.”

To be buried at Arlington is to join the ranks of the nation's most revered heroes. It signifies more than military service; it embodies commitment, courage, and an enduring contribution to the ideals of freedom and democracy. For the families left behind, it provides solace and pride—an enduring reminder that their loved one’s service mattered deeply to a grateful nation.

In the end, it is not merely a place of rest—it is a place of legacy. Arlington National Cemetery stands as a lasting tribute to those who gave much, sometimes all, for their country. And for those like Richard Farlow and the families like Michelle Woods’, it is an eternal home among heroes—a place of honor, memory, and national respect that will never fade.