Nathan White, LDS Pilot Shot Down Over Iraq,
Buried at Arlington
An Exclusive Photographic Essay
Photography by Scot Facer Proctor
Essay by Maurine Jensen Proctor
Photos from family files used by permission
All Arlington Photographs Copyright 2003 Scot Facer Proctor
(Use of any photographs herein only by written permission of Meridian Magazine)

click on photos to enlarge

Part 7

At the gravesite, the military circling the casket begin their intricate ceremony of removing the flag. They lift it taut and horizontal, fold it precisely, snap it with white-gloved hands, fold it again.

Akiko and her children are on the front row of seats. It seems so utterly final.

The flag is presented to her by a Naval officer with a kind face and a chest full of medals. Then three more folded flags are touched one by one to the coffin as if to make them sacred. These in turn are presented to Nate’s parents and parents in-law.

After the flag is folded so carefully, Courtney takes her handkerchief and begins to carefully fold it as well.

At the memorial on the flight deck of the Kitty Hawk, Capt. Patrick Driscoll, Commander, Carrier Air Wing 5 said, “I pray that one day when Nate’s children are older and studying geography in school, they will learn about a free Iraqi nation, whose people are protected by the rule of law and able to worship and live as they please.”

Little Zachary was exhausted and fell asleep along the long walk to his father’s grave.

Driscoll went on to say. “Then they will know that the Iraqi people took this gift that their father so selflessly contributed to and built a nation where individuals can live in peace and freedom.”

Just then, at the gravesite, however, the sacrifice seems almost unbearable, and the markers of all those taken early, tell of an equal sacrifice. Have we ever really understood this before?

Nate’s mother.

Will we ever go on and take freedom as an entitlement instead of a profound gift? Jayson Seegmiller wrote: This Nation is free because of individuals like Nathan who have performed singular acts of courage. In the Gettysburg Address, Lincoln was essentially trying to answer a question. The question was: How do you honor your heroes? Lincoln's answer was: You can't.

“No speech you give, no monument you erect, will be worthy of them, of their sacrifice. The best you can do is remembering the cause they died for, finish the job they started, to stand at all times in all places and be willing to live your life in such a way that honors his death and strengthens your family, friends and nation.”

Dennis White took a baby boy in his arms 30 years ago and gave him a name and a blessing. When the boy was 8, he baptized him; when he was 12, he ordained him a deacon. When he was 19, he conferred the Melchizedek priesthood upon him, but Thursday morning in Arlington, he dedicated the gravesite of a 30-year old. In his prayer, he said, “Because of our Savior, Jesus Christ, today we have a perfect hope.”

Lt. White’s family has expressed their appreciation for the outpouring of love and concern expressed for their son, brother, husband and father. Many have asked what they can do and many have sent flowers. Friends and acquaintances of Nathan have also sent the family letters, photos and stories about their experiences with him, that are being included in Books of Remembrance for his children.

The family appreciates this outpouring of love and has determined a beneficial way to help Nathan’s wife, Akiko, and their three children, is by setting up a trust fund to help support their future needs.

Since the Whites were a military family, they had friendships of many people in a variety of locations. Nathan grew up in Texas, served a two-year Church mission to Japan and later graduated from Brigham Young University in Provo, Utah. Nathan chose to go to Navy flight school instead of attending law school. He graduated first in his flight school class. At different times. Nathan had resided in Japan, Utah, Arizona, New York, Texas and Florida.

Those wishing to donate to the trust fund are encouraged to contact one of the following banks:

Location: Utah
Bank: Zions Bank
Account Name: Lt. Nathan White Children’s Donation
Account Number: 032673451

Bank: Military Personnel Community Bank
Account Name: White’s Children’s College Fund
Account Number: 243104278
Address: Community Bank
PSC 477 Box 30
FPO AP 96306

Bank: Nationwide Bank of America
Account Name: Lt Nathan White Children’s
Account Number: 00479870762
Address:
(please specify Texas account)
Bank of America
500 Chestnut Street
Abilene, TX 79602

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Nathan White’s Burial at Arlington

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