Thomas Marshall’s Final Salute

This July, Naples resident Elysee Marshall will be marking two occasions in a special way.

On July 14, her deceased husband’s cremains will be interred at Arlington National Cemetery with a military burial including a horse-drawn caisson, bugler, band, and presentation of the flag.

A couple weeks prior, she’ll celebrate the 250th anniversary of our nation’s birth quietly at home with an American flag bestowed on her husband by former U.S. Congressman Burt Talcott, which flew over the U.S. Capitol in Washington on July 4, 1976.

Colonel Thomas J. Marshall passed away in October 2024 at age 90 after a distinguished and highly decorated career in the U.S. Army and an equally distinguished career with defense contractor SAIC, from which he retired as vice president after a 15-year stint with the firm.

According to Elysee, her husband Tom was living in California in 1976 and, on a whim, asked his congressman for the flag, not expecting a response. It showed up in the mail months later with an official certification signed by the congressman.

“When I put the two of them together, my husband Tom and that flag, I just think about all that they represent, together, not just him,” she said. “So many brave soldiers, 13 stripes, 13 colonies, stars representing every state. It’s something you never get tired of looking at.”

Tom Marshall was drafted into the Army in 1957, was selected for Officer Training School, and was commissioned a Second Lt. of Infantry in April 1958. According to his memorial program from this past January, he stayed in the Army for 26 years, rising to the rank of full Colonel in 1983. He was a parachutist and aviator and completed two tours of duty in Vietnam and served in Korea. For his service, he was awarded the Defense Meritorious Medal, three Meritorious Service Medals, the Distinguished Flying Cross, Twenty Air Medals, three Bronze Stars, and the Purple Heart. He flight-logged more than 1,000 combat hours.

Elysee Marshall, who wears Tom’s dog tag around her neck, is looking forward to the service honoring her late husband this July.

“I’m calling it Tom’s Final Salute,” she said.

Tom’s July 14 service, she said, is open to the public. Visitors wishing to attend are asked to queue up at 10:15 AM at Arlington’s main gate at 1 Memorial Avenue for the 11:00 AM service.