Major General H Lloyd Wilkerson, USMC (Ret.), and his wife, Jeanne, were laid to rest in Arlington National Cemetery on a grassy hillock covered in old, gnarled, heavily laden oaks. The grave faces the sloping side of the knoll, gently descending downward to hundreds of perfectly deployed ribbons of pure white headstones splayed across the cemetery; eternal embers of war, the gravesites of fellow Marines in faithful formation, creating a flawless tapestry of tactical lines and columns.
Throughout the morning of this late September day in Washington, a grayish, shadowy sky over the capital city was scattered with low-hanging fog-like clouds. Spits of rain persisted as the Wilkerson family motored our way across the Lincoln Memorial Bridge to the gates of Arlington Cemetery. Once inside the hallowed grounds, we lined up behind more than 200 Marines, four platoons in dress blue uniforms with rifles, fixed bayonets, and the Marine Band and color-bearers.
Directly in front of us, an officer led a black riderless horse, and a flagbearer with the Marine Corps General’s Two Star gold and red flag wavered gracefully in the damp, gentle breeze. The funeral succession crossed from the left side of the 639-acre cemetery to the far right to complete the solemn journey. A full 13-gun Howitzer cannon solute, the appropriate level for a Major General, broke the stillness surrounding us.
Major General William Bowers, USMC, was the Commandant of the Marine Corps representative at the Ceremony. He presented Major General H Lloyd Wilkerson’s casket flag to his son, Major General USMC (Ret.) Thomas Wilkerson, the oldest surviving relative. A solitary bugler played taps, and the band performed the Marine Corps Hymn followed by a 21-rifle volley salute. Col. Robert Sucher, the D.C. Marine Barracks Commanding Officer, informed Thomas Wilkerson that five Marines who served with him under his command were respectfully in attendance.
Lloyd Wilkerson, a decorated combat veteran, my cousin, died just 20 days before his 102nd birthday. The glory of his being was his infinite commitment to America, according 37 years to the Corps. Signing up the day after Pearl Harbor, Wilkerson served in three wars. He was most noted for his role as commanding officer of the 1st Marine Regiment during the Vietnam War and later commanding general of the 3rd Marine Division.
“Simper Fidelis, Always Faithful.” I will honor his memory forever in my heart.
Award-winning writer Jerry Wilkerson lives in SaddleBrooke. He is a former press secretary for two U.S. Congressmen and a prior WBBM CBS NewsRadio Chicago and Chicago Daily News correspondent. He is a retired police commissioner and Navy veteran. Email: franchise@att.net.
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