A few years ago, sweetie and I were waiting for a flight to Ireland. Since our gate was crowded, we were sitting alone on the other side of the terminal when we saw a flag-draped casket being taken off a plane and loaded into a hearse. The military escort passed us as he entered the terminal and his expression was so heartbreakingly sober I wanted to cry. At the time I thought his duty must be both the best (in terms of honor) and most difficult jobs in the military. After seeing the amazing Kevin Bacon movie Taking Chance, I believe it even more. The following spring we were in Washington D.C. for Memorial Day weekend and because I wanted our grandkidlets to understand that Memorial Day was about more than backyard barbecues and swim parties, we took them to Arlington National Cemetery, where we toured the museum, which just happened to be having an art exhibit of faces of troops killed in the Iraq and Afghanistan wars -- which proved more than a little unsettling when the first face I saw was a Navy SEAL who'd been killed in a battle in Afghanistan on which I based my High Risk books. My bond with this man I'd never have the opportunity to thank became even stronger, and I did my best, during the writing of the books, to honor his and his teammates' memory.
We watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns, and wandered the grounds, reading the stones. There was a new grave with a wreath welcoming a hero finally back from Vietnam, which made me ache for the friends I lost in that war. I suspect our grandson was more impressed with all the Harleys from the Rolling Thunder riders staying at our hotel across from the Pentagon, but our granddaughter was old enough to understand that she was in a place of honor. A place of heroes.
This Memorial Day weekend, sweetie and I will be getting up early to place flags on the graves at our local veterans' cemetery. I feel so honored to have been invited to take part and I'll be thinking of all the military men and women who've given their lives for our country. And their families. And I'll be thinking of all our troops currently serving in dangerous places around the world so the rest of us don't have to. And their families, who also serve, and wait for their safe return home.
And, as I do every day, I'll especially be keeping our nephew, Kyle, who's currently serving as a helicopter medevac in Afghanistan, in my thoughts and prayers.
Although Friday is usually for fun videos, because we treasure the letters we've received from both our solider nephews, as well as from the troops we've adopted through Soldiers' Angels, I'm taking a more serious tone this Memorial Day weekend with this video I found on YouTube about last letters home. I hope you'll find it as moving as I did. And if you feel like passing it on, all the better.
Posts
14 comments:
JoAnn~~
This moved me a lot—-to tears.
Last week we learned our 20 year old son had received a deployment date of March of next year….
Thank you for remembering our soldiers.
~C
Caroline -- What's your son's name? We'll add him and you to our list of soldiers we keep in our hearts.
And just remember, way more come home than don't. But I can imagine how tough it was for you to watch. Which was why I instructed Jay not to send the link to his sister.
xo
I have been to Arlington Cemetary and it was very moving to see the changing of guard at the Tomb of the unkown soldier...
Happy Memorial Day to all my US Friends.
Kathleen, isn't Arlington moving. It was so hot and humid the day we were there, I couldn't imagine how the Marines could stand it without passing out in those wool uniforms! Yeah, I know they're Marines and used to a lot worse, but still. . .
As I said, grandson was mostly excited about all the Harleys, but wow, did he quiet down and get serious during the guard changing. I think the mood from all the people around him proved contagious.
Sweetie's partner in their insurance agency back in AZ has a son who was part of the funeral honor guard at Arlington. We learned from him that they were chosen by height, and, of course, fitness, so they'd represent the military well at such an important and somber occasion for the families. Eric, the son, looked like a recruiting poster. :)
It was very hot and humid when we were there too.. it was around this time of the year... But very much that walk up to the top.. And the visit to the Kennedy grave site was also very touching and moving..
That movie about Taking Chance made me cry and it goes to show that people everywhere repect that those who are defending our countries whether dead or alive, are deserving of our upmost respect.
Thank you for your encouraging words, JoAnn. I can’t really even think about it yet, if you know what I mean.
His name is Adam Taylor Fyffe.
Kathleen -- As people say, no one ever moved to Washington D.C. for the weather. Having grown up out west, the first time I ever experienced humidity was when I attended an RWA conference there in 1983. I'd never been any where where you had to drink the air, rather than breathe it. And here I am now living in it, go figure.
Taking Chance was a stunning movie. And Kevin Bacon was amazing in it.
And yes, the Kennedy Memorial is especially moving in its simplicity.
Thank you JoAnn.
My father is buried at Arlington (retired Air Force) and as strange as it sounds, I think that hallowed ground is one of my favorite places on earth.
My daughter recently followed in the 'family business' and joined the Air Foce. She is waiting for her departure date for boot camp and I couldn't be more proud of her if I tried.
Caroline -- This is definitely a case for procrastination. Totally understand.
Christyne, I agree that it's an amazingly special place. My daughter-in-law, who's Washington Bureau Chief for USA Today news, told me that when a colleague at the paper asked what she was doing on that Memorial Day, she told him. Then said it struck her as strange she'd never been there. I suspect there are many people in the city who drive by it every day, or pass the Metro stop and never visit. They should.
Please thank your daughter for her service. That's a very special family business she's entering. You should be way proud of her!
Prayers for Kyle, JoAnn. That video made me cry.
I have a 19-year-old foster son who's a Marine. Currently he's serving in Colorado, and jonesing to ship out. He may just his "wish," too.
Thank you for the reminder of why the holiday is called Memorial Day. I've posted the video to my FB page.
Semper fi...
Susan -- Thanks for sharing the video. And, quite honestly, though I totally understand how he feels, having lost close friends in Vietnam, I'm hoping your foster son doesn't get his wish.
The same way I'm hoping everyone comes home. Soonest. Semper Fi back at you!
We are fortunate enough to be stationed in DC this year (our tour is almost up) and have taken multiple trips to the National Cemetery. My brother, also stationed here but in the Army, serves as part of the Old Guard and has done the changing of the guard ceremony at The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. However, when he first arrived here he was on funeral detail and said it is one of the most honorable and difficult things he has ever done. The Old Guard itself is no easy feat and the training cycle is very hard to finish. Occasionally we've been there when a full honors funeral is taking place, or been walking when the procession passes and it is too emotional to describe. As a military wife I am forced to face my fears each time I go and yet Arlington Cemetery isn't a place of fear for me.
It might sound strange but I like to walk in the cemetery and so I've been numerous times. When I walk in the back gate I always stop a moment to honor all that have lost their lives and those that are buried there. It's a calming place smack in the middle of a busy and hectic city.
My 10 year old son is extremely interested in history so he pays extra attention to all the older dated headstones and we teach him about the various wars and time periods.
We will be there this Memorial Day, paying tribute in our own small way.
Thanks for posting this very moving video, JoAnn. My best wishes and prayers to you and Caroline that your boys come home safe and sound! I'm so grateful that we have such brave men and women who are willing to serve their country. It's very, very humbling.
Anna D -- First of all, thank you and your family for your service. I don't think the rest of us in this country can say that enough.
I don't think I shared this here (I think it was on Facebook), but my sweetie's partner in his former insurance agency has a son who was chosen to be part of funeral duty in the Old Guard. We thought at the time it must be so very difficult. He was chosen partly because, quite honestly, he looked like a recruiting poster, but it definitely changed his life. For the better. (Did you, btw, ever see Gardens of Stone with James Caan about the Old Guard? That's a movie that definitely carved itself into my memory.)
I can understand -- as much as a civilian can, though authors have to put themselves in other people's skin, which sort of helps -- about the conflict between overcoming your fear and the peace you feel there. It truly is a very special place and affects those who visit in a very visceral way. The same way being at a battlefield feels. The spirits are there. You can feel them all around you.
Vanessa, thanks so very much for visiting, and a special thanks for taking the time to comment and your prayers. They are hugely appreciated.
Post a Comment