FORT WORTH — It's not every day that bagpipes belt out a tune at the funeral of a 13-year old-girl, followed by a color guard offering a final salute.
But Briana Menendez was special.
She was awarded the title "Honorary Marine" just two days before she died on January 27.
"Brianna is going home," said her father, U.S. Marine Corps Master Sgt. Larry Menendez. "Now I will tell you knowing Briana... Briana is probably sitting here spiritually... so we going to celebrate."
A saxophonist at the Saturday morning ceremony at the Brown, Owens & Brumley Funeral Home Chapel in Fort Worth began to play "When the Saints Go Marching In," a fitting song for Briana and her fellow Marines who have the utmost respect for their smallest member — a young woman who was big on courage.
Briana endured nearly a dozen surgeries in her two-and-a-half year fight with cancer, yet she never complained — always telling dad she was fine.
"I've given her the name, 'The Inspiration,'" her father said.
Briana was more concerned about what the terminal cancer was doing to her mom than to herself. "She was more concerned if you were happy; more concerned if you were feeling good," said Pastor Drummond Simpson. "I believe Briana was confident and assured and secure in her life. That's why you could see her smile."
And her parents believe she is smiling now, after being buried in a Marine uniform.
It was her final wish.
"This today will be remembered," Sgt. Menendez said. "It will be definitely engraved in our hearts."
The celebration of Briana's life continued Saturday evening with a lighthearted gathering at Dave & Busters. Briana loved to have fun and share laughs with everyone else.
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