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Jacksonville woman still waiting on Burial At Sea ceremony for her deceased husband

Greg Gordon served 17 years in the United States Navy. His last wish was to be buried at sea in the traditional military ceremony. Since last year his family has been waiting for the service.

JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — Burial at sea is a long-standing tradition; a tradition filled with honor, dignity and respect for our veterans. It is what Navy Veteran Greg M. Gordon wanted.

"He served his country for 17 years," said Tina Gordon.

Greg Gordon died last  March of a heart attack.

"he took five steps and then collapsed," she said. 

She didn't have a picture to share on him in uniform, just the memories. The two were married 40 years.

"There are still times I turn around to tell him something and I know darn well he is not there," she said.

She said his last wish was to be buried at sea, and here we are months later and she is still waiting.

"He just wanted to be buried at sea, and he still hasn't been buried at sea," said Gordon. 

For this long-standing tradition, the Military has five ports of embarkation. Jacksonville's Mayport Naval Station is one of them. 

Gordon said last year her husband's ashes were sent there, and she has been waiting on closure.

"Why is it taking so long? Does it always take this long?" she asked.

On Your Side reached a Mayport public information officer.

He told us the base does not control the movement of the ships and the ship's mission will impact when the ceremony actually happens.

He promised to talk with Gordon to get the closure she wants.

"I'd like to have closure on it," she said. "Does it really take this long?"

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