6 Comments

1. 

   Old NFO

    /  May 27, 2013

   Well done, and thank you for remembering!

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     daddybear71

      /  May 27, 2013

     Thanks, and thanks for your visit to Arlington. I’ve been there on Veteran’s Day, but never Memorial Day.

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2. 

   driversuz

    /  May 27, 2013

   I just knew you were going to find something to make me cry.

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     daddybear71

      /  May 27, 2013

     Not my goal, but I’m glad you enjoyed it.

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3. 

   auntiejl

    /  May 28, 2013

   I still vividly remember, six years ago, traveling to Arlington National Cemetery for XSIL’s brother’s funeral (he was KIA in Iraq in March 2007). It was hard to fathom how many funerals a day that take place in that cemetery (19 at least). We saw four in various stages as we drove to the gravesite. It was haunting to hear “Taps” more than once. This was before the Fries came to live with us; the twins weren’t even six months old. Hubby and I kinda took charge of them as we stood off to the side. It was the first military funeral I’d ever experienced, and, quite honestly, I hope it’s the last in my family. The service was short but fitting. The 3-volley salute was a sharp reminder of his too-brief time on earth as well as in the Army; thankfully, the twins slept through it (it was also not the first such salute we heard that day in the cemetery). I jerked with every shot. I’ve always found “Taps” to be hauntingly beautiful, and it was even more so as we stood there. A plane flew overhead, and the bugler drew out the notes as long as he could so that the jet engines wouldn’t drown out the whole song. And as the honor guard folded the flag to present to E’s father, I was so impressed with their precision. I didn’t know a flag could SNAP like that.

   On that day, as grateful as I was for E’s service to my country, as grateful as I was for all those who daily choose to wear the uniform and serve, I was even more grateful to the brave men and women who get up every day to perform the final service for their fallen comrades. That has GOT to be a tough job. Their respect was palpable, even for a mere PFC like E. I wanted to hug them all.

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     daddybear71

      /  May 29, 2013

     I’ve never served at Arlington, but I was on burial detail at Fort Huachuca a couple of times. It’s emotional to do it once or twice. I cannot imagine doing it day after day.

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