PRESERVING A MILITARY LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS
The following Reflection represents AC2 Cedric Jr. McCoy’s legacy of their military service from 2000 to 2010. If you are a Veteran, consider preserving a record of your own military service, including your memories and photographs, on Togetherweserved.com (TWS), the leading archive of living military history. The Service Reflections is an easy-to-complete self-interview, located on your TWS Military Service Page, which enables you to remember key people and events from your military service and the impact they made on your life.
Is There a Particular Incident You Can Recall Where a Person You Served with Demonstrated Extraordinary Devotion to Duty or Bravery? Please Describe What Happened and How This Impacted You.
I was temporarily assigned to the Honor Guard out of NAS Point Mugu, performing multiple funerals for our honorable veterans — but this one hit home. After folding the flag with a tender heart, I looked to my left following the rifle salute, and there he was — a decorated Vietnam veteran, walking slowly toward me. He took my hand firmly, looked me in the eyes, and said, “Thank you for burying my son with honor. Now I can die peacefully, knowing he was held high by our country.”
In that moment, I broke ranks — the weight of his words shattering the formality — and fell into tears on his shoulder. The entire crowd followed suit, and together, we shared the most heartfelt cry I have ever known. It was a proud and humbling moment — for me, for the family, and for the sacred duty of serving their son in the full Naval tradition of taking care of our own.
I remained attached to that unit for two months, and every single day softened my heart to the core. May God bless America!
AC2 McCoy
2000-2014
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