A Garner pastor recently had the distinct honor of performing a service at what is often referred to as America's most hallowed grounds of our fallen military... Arlington National Cemetery.

Arlington, which sits on a Virginia hillside rising above the Potomac River and overlooking Washington, D.C., has been the final resting place for America's military heroes since the Civil War.

Mary Catherine Lewis, a member of Dr. Jim Ferry's congregation at the First Presbyterian Church of Garner, passed away in mid-July. Services were held at that time, however, there was a three-month waiting list for inurnment in the Columbarium at Arlington.

On Monday, October 19, final services were held and Mrs. Lewis' ashes were laid to rest with those of her late husband, who was a Navy veteran.

Services at the nation's shrine to its military dead are meticulously scheduled and timing is critical. That's partially because there are so many veterans of the World War II generation that are passing away.

Dr. Ferry stated there are as many as four services each hour at the cemetery.

He explained he had to arrive with the family at the administration building on the grounds at 9 a.m. sharp for the 10 a.m. services.

"We could not be 15 minutes late," he stated.

Dr. Ferry said during the few minutes wait, the group watched a live cast of the Tomb of the Unknowns (also known as the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier) on a flat screen TV.

The large marble sarcophagus is dedicated to American service members who died without their remains being identified. In a very impressive ceremony, the Tomb is guarded by the U.S. military's ceremonial Old Guard 24 hours a day.

"At 9:25, a woman who informed us she was the hostess joined us and the family finalized the papers and gave her the remains," said Dr. Ferry.

"At 9:40, we followed her in her vehicle (for about three miles) to the Columbarium and passed row after row of graves and crosses."

It was very thought-provoking, Dr. Ferry said, wondering how many had died serving our country.

"It really made me think about what so many people have done for us."

When they arrived at the Columbarium, a sailor in full dress took the remains to the niche which would be the final resting place of Mrs. Lewis.

Dr. Ferry said the hostess allowed him five minutes to perform the services.

"It was all timed down to the minute," he said.

According to John C. Metzler, Jr., superintendent of the cemetery, there are normally 27 funerals each workday.