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SPC Rafael A. Nieves, Jr. was laid to rest at Rosehill
Cemetery in Linden, New Jersey with full military honors
on Thursday, July 21, 2011.
Wednesday evening, July 20th, Currahee
Battle Flags were presented to the Nieves family at the
wake held at
Migliaccio Funeral Home in Bayonne, New Jersey. The representations
of these flags from the 506th Associa-
tion were made by Gene Overton (C Co, 1st BN,
1967-1968) with assistance from CPT Ryan C. Smith (Rear Detach-
ment Commander - 1st BN, 506th) and SSG David Meyers (Rear Detachment NCOIC - B Co, 1st BN, 506th).
wake photos by Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal
(used with permission)
A
photo of SPC Rafael A. Nieves, Jr. is on display during his wake.
Photo of Rafael A. Nieves, Jr. with his wife, Sarah A. McKinney,
and their two
children, Emma Grace and Rafael A. Nieves, III
A photo of SPC Rafael A. Nieves, Jr., taken in Afghanistan,
posing with his
favorite snack, Cheez-it, which his family sent him and which
he was known
to generously share with his fellow soldiers
Thursday morning, July 21st, SPC Nieves' casket was moved to
St. Aloysius Church in Jersey City, where a
funeral mass was held. Lining the walkway at the entrance to
the church were approximately two dozen Patriot
Guard Riders, led by Jack "Pappy" Shinn (New
Jersey Ride Captain). The corridor formed by them is where
Nieves'
casket passed through, followed by mourners attending the funeral.
They also formed a shield, along with a
number of police officers from the Bayonne and Jersey City Police,
to prevent protestors from disrupting the
family and attendees. Fortunately, no such attempt with made,
and a very solemn mass with held.
It seems fitting that Rafael's funeral services were held
in these two New Jersey areas where he grew up as a child.
Immediately following the funeral mass, a procession over
a mile long of cars made their way to Linden, where the
grave site service was held.
The following
3 photos are by Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal
(used with permission)
Patriot Guard Riders salute as the flag-draped casket
of SPC Rafael Nieves, Jr.
is carried out of the church after the funeral mass.
Family members of SPC Rafael Nieves, Jr., including his wife
Sarah McKinney,
holding their daughter Emma Grace, age 2; his mother Tina Roman
with stepfather
Thomas Priolo; his father Rafael Nieves, Sr., who is carrying
his 4-month-old son,
Rafael Nieves, III; and his brother, Matthew Nieves; watch as
pallbearers carry
his casket out of Saint Aloysius Church.
Patriot Guard Riders escort the hearse to Rosehill Cemetery
in Linden, NJ.
The following details the sequence of events of the Army
Honors Funeral at Rosehill
Cemetery in Linden, New Jersey:
- The hearse arrives, passing soliders from the New Jersey
Army National Guard.
- At the grave site, everyone presents arms.
- Casket team secures the casket, NCOIC, OIC and Pall bearers.
- Two priests from Saint Aloysius Church lead the way to grave
site, followed by
the casket team.
- Casket team sets down the casket and secures the flag.
- The NCOIC ensures the flag is stretched
out, level, and centered over the casket.
- NCOIC backs away and then a presentation of SPC Nieves'
military awards is made to his family.
- MG Anthony R. Ierardi (Director of Force
Management - Office of the
Deputy Chief of Staff) presents the Bronze Star and Purple
Heart
while CPT Ryan C. Smith (1st BN, 506th Rear-D)
reads the citations.
- The priests perform the interment service and benediction.
photo by Reena Rose Sibayan/The Jersey Journal
(used with permission)
- The priests conclude their service and back away, and the
NCOIC then steps up
to the casket and presents arms to initiate
the rifle volley.
- Rifle volley complete, bugler plays "Taps."
- Casket-team leader starts to fold the flag.
- When the flag is folded it is passed to the NCOIC, who passes
it to the OIC.
- Casket team leaves grave site.
- The OIC presents the flag from the casket to MG Ierardi,
who presents it to
SPC Nieves' widow, Sarah.
 
- In addition MG Ierardi presents one flag each to SPC Nieves'
mother, father, and two
children (Emma Grace and 4-month-old Rafael, III.)
- The grave site service concludes with mourners paying their
last respects to
Rafael, as they pass by his casket.
(L-R): SSG David Meyers (Rear
Detachment NCOIC - B Co, 1st BN, 506th);
CPT Ryan C. Smith (Rear Detachment Commander
- 1st BN, 506th);
SFC Rodrick Stockard (C Co, 4th BSTB),
the Casaulty Assistance
NCO for Sarah McKinney (widow); and MG Anthony R. Ierardi.
This report and all non-Sibayan photos
are from Gene
Overton (C Co, 1st BN, 1967-1968).
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