The soldiers stood ramrod straight, their rifles pointed to the sky. Sgt. Kenneth Moore gave them the order to fire. They did, three times.

It was a 15-gun salute for the man who lay in the flag-draped coffin. He was a career Army man. He was a respected educator. He was a beloved husband, father, grandfather and a friend to scores of others, including many U.S. Armed Forces veterans.

After the volley of tribute, rifles were stacked neatly and six men under Moore's command marched smartly to the graveside where James R. Crinan's casket lay at the Thatcher Cemetery.

Soldiers of the U.S. Army's Ft. Huachuca Honor Guard carry Lt. Col. James Crinan's casket to the graveside at the Thatcher Cemetery on Aug. 5. The retired officer and decorated veteran was buried with full military honors. He was also a long-time educator at Clifton. Due to his modesty, few knew that he was awarded the prestigious Bronze Star and Legion Merit for service to his country. Photo by Walter Mares

Using crisp, economic movements, the soldiers neatly folded the American flag. There was a pause. Sgt. Moore stepped forward and presented the folded flag to the fallen veteran's widow, Jean. Moore presented the flag "on behalf of the President of the United States and a grateful nation." Jean stoically accepted the flag.

Jim's family members and his many friends and former colleagues stood quietly. Although it was not part of the ceremony, a military jet fighter passed overhead. It was as an unplanned but fitting tribute to Lieutenant Colonel James Crinan.

It was a tribute to a man who had a stellar military career and was a highly respected educator. During his tenure as a teacher, high school principal and special education director, Crinan was known as a hard-nosed educator who believed in discipline and personal responsibility.

He also spent countless hours preparing for and teaching classes on the high school and college level. He served for several years as an Eastern Arizona College instructor, teaching courses in Clifton and Morenci. He was also a long-time member of EAC's Community Advisory Board, on which he represented Greenlee County.

Crinan, 68, passed away Aug. 1 after an extended illness. He had been fighting non-Hodgkins Lymphoma. He had planned to return to teach at Clifton.

"He was the most honorable man I've ever known," Jean Crinan said. Among other attributes noted by his widow were honesty and faith in his beliefs. "It may have not been popular, but he always stood up for what he believed in - for what he believed to be right," she said.

Jean, who is executive director and a founder of Mt. Graham Safehouse, a shelter for abused women, is also former owner and publisher of the Copper Era.

She said she always received tremendous support and encouragement from her husband.

James Crinan's farewell services were held at the First United Methodist Church in Safford. They were non-denominational. Patrick Kotecki, Jim's step-son, was keynote speaker. Two of his 13 grandchildren also spoke.

Mourners, many of whom were from Clifton, were also invited to speak. Laura Washington, a former Clifton colleague of Crinan's, praised him his for his dedication to and staunch belief in providing students a quality education.

Washington smiled and said, "Wherever he is, he's probably at the front of the class. In fact, he's probably teaching the class."

Dr. Ron Keith, senior dean of instruction at EAC, said, "Eastern will miss him. We'll all miss him a lot, but most of all, education will miss him."

Crinan's life began on Oct. 17, 1935, in Albany, N.Y. He enlisted in the U.S. Army during the Korean War and returned to civilian life to earn his bachelor of art's degree from St. Bernadine of Sienna College. His military service spanned over 25 years.

Many at the farewell service who thought they knew Crinan well, learned there was a great deal more to the man than what they knew. Many knew he had been in the Army's police and intelligence divisions. However, most were unaware that he had received the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit, two of the highest military honors accorded a member of the armed forces.

The fact so many people were unaware of his military accomplishments says much about his modesty.

The Bronze Star and Legion of Merit were among several medals displayed on a table at the service. Also displayed was a plaque with two military emblems and a map of Vietnam. An inscription at the bottom of the plaque read, "Major James Crinan: By the officers and men of the Military Police Command Advisory Element in sincere appreciation for a job well done during JUN 72-MAR 73."

Another little known fact is that Crinan was a member of the American delegation that visited the infamous Hanoi Hilton in 1978.

American POWs were held at the site by the North Vietnamese during and after the Vietnam War. Crinan and colleagues were there to investigate and press the North Vietnamese for information on POWs.