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MILITARY COMMITTAL SERVICE

Captain Kernan Nelson Chaisson

Monday, August 29, 2016
1300

Next of Kin
Name of Primary NOK - Nadine Mildice Chaisson (Wife)

Flag: Wife

Type of Service/Burial
FH (Urn)

Cemetery Representative
Dustin Massey

Burial Location
C: 9, S: N41, C: 13, N: 5


Age: 74
Date of Death: 19 December 2015
NOK Home: Washington, DC
Years of Marriage: 32


INTRODUCTION

For nearly 150 years our nation has honored her fallen patriots here at Arlington National Cemetery.

These hallowed stones are solemn memorials to the men and women who answered the call of their country.
Each gave of themselves for the sake of freedom. Some paid the ultimate price. Some served many years,
others served but a few, but all served so that this nation might always be free.

Today we have come into this garden of stone, to this final resting place, to honor

Captain Kernan Nelson Chaisson

[Biographical remarks]

Kernan proudly served our nation and Air Force for 24 years, until his discharge on 31 January 1985.
Kernan served our nation during a critical time in our country's history, at the end of the Vietnam War
and during the Cold War. Kernan loved his country and served her faithfully. He was also a tireless
advocate for the rights of minorities and women, for which he received numerous awards for his efforts.


You, Kernan's family [and friends], know the story of his personal life that goes beyond his military
service. He was a man of strong faith. He also had other interests, most significantly that he volunteered
for many different causes. He also continued to be an advocate for full rights for women and minorities.
It was more than just a job description, it was a lifetime commitment.

His life was also made sweeter by his 32 year marriage to Nadine.

I pray that your fond memories of him will help sustain you now and in the days to come.

COMMITTAL

As we are gathered on this hallowed ground of the honored dead in the shadow of death, we are reminded of
the words of the Psalmist, King David:

The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want… Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my
life; and I will dwell in the house of the LORD forever.

It is my prayer for you that as you walk through the valley of mourning, you will sense the presence and
comfort of God, our Heavenly Father.

Kernan's hope has now been fulfilled as he has entered into the joy of his Lord.

And his soul lives on, loving God and all his loved ones who preceded him. They were separated by death
and now they have been reunited by death.

Let us pray.

O God, our Father, from whom we come, unto whom we return, and in whom we live and move and have our being:
We praise You for Your good gift of life; for its wonder and mystery, its friendships and fellowships.
We thank You for the ties that bind us one to another.

We give thanks to You for Kernan Chaisson, recalling all in him that made others love him. We bless You
for the goodness and truth that have passed from his life into the lives of others, and have made the world
richer for his presence.

Look down in compassion upon Nadine, Keith, Neicie, Phillis and those others whose joy has been turned into
mourning. Enable them to find in You their refuge and strength, a very present help in time of trouble.

We thank You, God, that deep in the human heart is an unquenchable trust that life does not end with death;
that You, who made us, will care for us beyond the bounds of vision, even as You have cared for us in this
earthly world. This we pray, through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.

HONORS (Across the Potomac …)

Across the Potomac River, near the World War Two Memorial, is a monument to another American hero. It reads,
quote, "In life, he honored the flag. In death, the flag shall honor him."

With thankfulness for his faithful years of military service, we now bestow military honors upon:

Kernan Nelson Chaisson, Captain, USAF

ON BEHALF OF THE PRESIDENT OF THE UNITED STATES, THE DEPARTMENT OF THE AIR FORCE AND A GREATFUL NATION
PLEASE ACCEPT THIS FLAG AS A SYMBOL OF OUR APPRECIATION FOR YOUR LOVED ONE'S HONORABLE AND FAITHFUL SERVICE.

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And now, unto the mercy of Almighty God, we commend the soul of
Kernan Chaisson, and we commit [his ashes to their resting place], earth to earth,
ashes to ashes, dust to dust.
"Blessed are the dead who die in the Lord.

Henceforth, says the Spirit, they rest from their labors and their works do follow them."

Amen.

"May the Lord bless you and keep you…"

NOTE: Items in green are corrected from the original text.