On a chilly, overcast Baltimore morning, the funeral for S/Sgt Kendall D. Waters-Bey was held at 11:00 on Friday, April 4, 2003. Upon entry to the church, one immediately spotted the flag draped coffin at the foot of the chancel. Family, friends, and others began arriving at St. Matthew’s Church on Loch Raven Boulevard at 10:00. The steady stream of mourners and well wishers culminated with the arrival of NAACP leader Kwiesi Mfume, only to be one upped by Baltimore Mayor Martin O’Malley (proudly wearing his Believe button) who arrived at the church at 11:06 and offered words to Michael Waters-Bey, father of the late S/Sgt and other members of the family.

The ceremony began with a Muslim call to prayer which was offered first in arabic and then in English. At it’s conclusion, host priest, the Rev Fr. Joe Muth welcomed the congregation with a responsive call to worship. A hymn of celebration “My Faith looks up to thee” followed for those who knew the words by heart as they were not printed in the bulletin nor were they to be found in the hymnal in the pew rack. I am not quite sure about that selection since it appeared that Michael Waters-Bey is of the Muslim faith.

Fr Muth acknowledged the congregation, while meeting in a Christian church, were comprised of Jews, Muslims and Christians. In spite of this, the use of the perjorative terms “Old and New Testament” were used as the readings from Psalm 26 and John 14 were proclaimed. A prayer followed the readings.

Fr Muth also read several “acknowledgments” from the Maryland Senate, the House of Delegates, Controller of the City of Baltimore, and Mayor O’Malley. After these were read, Rep. Cummings go up and offered his own in which he said in part, “We come not because S/Sgt Waters-Bey died but because he lived.” Cummings acknowledged Waters-Bey to have been a young man who was among our very best in spite of the fact that he had studied at some of our most difficult schools. Also part of his acknowledgment included the highly debatable point that Waters-Bey “gave his life for us.” This sentiment was voiced several times during the course of the service in apparent contradiction to the words of Michael Waters-Bey at the time of his son’s death when he severely criticized President Bush’s decision to embark upon this war. Following Cummings’ acknowledgment, Samuel Brown came forward but, in the interest of time, put aside his prepared words and read a tribute by Kenneth Waters-Bey to his late father.

A slide presentation was given comprised of photographs of the life of the late S/Sgt.

The service concluded with a sermon, “Where is God When it Hurts?” by Dr William C. Bailey who used as his text Job 2:7-10. This was followed by the recessional as Water’s Bey’s casket was escorted out by the USMC honor guard. Outside the church, representatives from the city, county and state formed an honor guard through which the coffin and mourners passed.

Two musical pieces were offered, one by Evangelist Marion Jones and the other, a saxophone solo by Mr Kim Waters.

Political persons obvious by their front row seats included Senators Sarbanes and McLuskey, Congressmen Ruppersberger, Cummings, and Cardin, Gov Ehrlich and Lt Gov Steele, and Mayor O'Malley.

Other participants in the service were not readily identifiable.

It is truly unfortunate that some present saw fit to take the opportunity to politicize. A funeral of this nature should not be used to give voice to any part of the political spectrum. Sometimes, if one is unwilling to speak the truth, one ought not offer untruths in its place.

S/Sgt Kendall D. Waters-Bey was laid to rest at Garrison Forest Veterans Cemetery in Owings Mills.