SARASOTA COUNTY - Tuesday the first ever full military caisson burial ceremony was held at the new Sarasota National Cemetery.  This is one of the few services of this type ever to be held outside Arlington National Cemetery.

It was an impressive and a somber sight.

First came the bag pipes, then horses hooves ring out across the new Sarasota National Cemetery as a jet-black horse leads the way for two more horses drawing the flag draped coffin of Korean War veteran Air Force 2nd Lt. Van Eitel.

For his widow, it was a fitting tribute.  "I remember in Arlington seeing all these beautiful burials, and I thought this would be an honor to my husband," says Irene Eitel

And she says it's very comforting to have him buried in this beautiful new national cemetery so close to her home.  "I just thought this would be a place he would enjoy being, because he was from Missouri and he raised cattle, and they had horses, and he was practically born on a horse.  So I know this is a place he would be very happy."

The Sarasota National Cemetery opened in January, and since then 1,368 veterans and their spouses have been buried there.  Cemetery Director Sandra Beckley says families can choose any type service they like.  "Our caisson services here will be available to anyone who's eligible for burial here."

One reason the caisson is so rare is that it must be performed in keeping with strict military tradition, and there are few teams trained to do this.

But it is possible here, because a farm 4 miles down the road is specializing in performing the ceremony.  "We also work very closely with the Honor Guard...everything done following proper military protocol," says Karin McMurtrie, owner of Hawk's Flight Services.

A comforting service for the family.  And some of the younger members of the Honor Guard say all this is inspirational to them to see that even 50 years after a veteran leaves the military, he's still remembered and honored for his service to his country.

There are many ways you can pay tribute to those who've served in our armed forces Wednesday.  There's a Veterans Day parade down Main Street in Sarasota at 10am, a Veterans Memorial Service at Rossi Park in Bradenton starting at 9:30am, and a Veterans Tribute in Venice at Patriots Park at U.S. 41 and the 41 Bypass at 10am.