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Continuing the tradition, honoring the fallen

Caisson soldiers are part of a special army platoon. They are responsible for carrying the casket of fallen military members to a grave site in Arlington National cemetery.

SAN ANGELO, TX — One of the stops on the Permian Basin Honor Flight was the caisson barn. The veterans got a tour and that's where we met a caisson soldier from Brownwood.

"We're all riders here and we're all soldiers as well. Even though we don't wear our camouflage uniforms we're all soldiers and we do everything around the barn,” Caisson Solder, Specialist Chancery Melton said.

And there is a lot to do with caring for over a dozen horses, that are usually a mix of draft and percheron breeds standing around 16 hands.

"We make sure they're taken care of just as much as us because at the end of the day, they're doing the same job we have to do,” Specialist Melton said.

That job, taking veterans, active duty military members, and some dignitaries to their final resting place at Arlington National Cemetery.

"You don't really think negatively about the funeral part, you just see it as an honor to the fallen heroes,” Specialist Melton said.

The team of horses and riders are part of several ceremonies each day.

"Typically, 8 a day or 40 a week,” Specialist Melton said.

For Specialist Melton, he hopes the public can view the riders, who are all volunteers, in a positive light.

"We're all professionals here and we're dedicated to fulfilling our mission as professionally and with as much ceremonial accuracy as we can,” Specialist Melton said.

The caisson horses can in some cases spend more than a decade performing their duties. According to the Army's website, when it comes time for them to retire, the public can adopt them.

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