FORT MOORE, Ga. (WRBL) — Georgia U.S. Army post Fort Moore is preparing for it’s role in the state funeral for former President Jimmy Carter. Plans for Carter’s funeral have been under discussion for more than a decade.
Following Carter’s death at the age of 100 on Dec. 29, plans for what is known on-post at Fort Moore as “Operation Distinguished Gentleman” were put into motion.
“It’s been just all about the attention to detail, making sure everything’s absolutely perfect as it needs to be,” said 1st Lt. Bruce Hudson of the 10th Marine Regiment.
Hudson is part of a roughly 15-person team called in from Camp Lejeune, N.C., to take part in the on-post funeral proceedings Jan. 9. The Marines will be using Howitzers for a 21-gun salute honoring Carter, a former naval officer.
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Members of the team arrived at Fort Moore on Jan. 5, although they have spent the last week in and out of rehearsals — and the past 24 hours doing more rehearsals alongside maintenance on the Howitzers ahead of the ceremony.
For one Marine on the team, being a part of the proceedings hits particularly close to home.
“It’s really important to me because I’m [from] here, so it’s kind of like doing something special,” Lance Cpl. Devonta Stanley of Dublin, Ga., said.
Stanley, who is in his third year with the Marines, added, “It’s really important for the [Carter] family … and we’re prepared to do it correctly.”
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Marines prepare Howitzers for Thursday’s funeral proceedings at Fort Moore. (Olivia Yepez)
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A team of about 15 Marines from Camp Lejeune, N.C., was brought in to do a 21-gun salute in honor of Carter, a former naval officer. (Olivia Yepez)
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Members of the 316 Cavalry Brigade are on Task Force Georgia, working to support funeral proceedings. (Olivia Yepez)
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Task Force Georgia is focused on helping teams from Washington make proceedings go as smoothly as possible. (Olivia Yepez)
Behind the scenes, the 316 Cavalry Brigade is hard at work providing support for the funeral through Fort Moore’s Task Force Georgia. Their goal is to make sure everything goes as smoothly as possible for the teams conducting the state funeral from Washington.
“We’re synchronizing all of Fort Moore’s efforts to make sure that if there’s any problems or any support required from Georgia, we’re there to provide it,” explained Col. Justin Harper with the 316 Cavalry Brigade.
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On Thursday, the years of planning and careful preparation will come to an end. After leaving Fort Moore, Carter’s motorcade will head to his hometown of Plains, Ga., where he will be laid to rest alongside his wife, Rosalynn.
The honor of being part of the arrangements is not lost on those supporting the effort at Fort Moore.
“It’s a once in a lifetime opportunity to honor a former president,” Harper said. He added, “That’s important, for us to all really to be part of American history in a way that few others will get a chance to do it.”
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