We spent the morning at Arlington National Cemetery with Scott on his birthday. It was crisp, sunny and very quiet when we arrived. It is a special day at ANC and there were extra guards to help guide visitors through. While sitting in a long line at the entrance to the Visitor Center, a guard noticed our special pass and waved us out of line and through the main gate, no waiting today.
Arriving just after 10 o’clock , we were among the first to Section 60, a new
section set aside for soldiers from the Iraq and Afghanistan wars. We walked out among all the new bright white stones trying to orient ourselves. We had not been here since the service in August. Steadily, around us, friends and family of the soldiers buried here began to arrive carrying flowers, blankets, special things that the soldier loved in life. As they began to gather around several of the many stones, a mother’s sobs carried across the air. As someone held her and spoke to her some words of remembrance, the sobs turned to a smile and then laughter.
Picnic-like, we were all standing around in groups crying, laughing, passing a bottle of something special drinking from it and remembering. Christy, Kevin, Marti and I shared a couple of rounds of Macallan from a flask, Scott’s favorite. We shared some with Scott as well. A group of nine soldiers from one of the Airborne units dressed in their Class A’s gathered. They all greeted each other with strong hugs and then knelt around their buddy’s stone for a group photo. One of the young men walked with a cane and carried a long scar under his beret, perhaps reminders of how his friend came to be laying there.
All in all, this was a somber but beautiful morning and it occurred to me that it was also the first Veterans’ Day for many of these families with loved ones buried here. Our sons and daughters, husbands and wives, fathers and mothers are now neighbors. Perhaps over the coming years we might too grow to know one another on this day and share something of this terrible twist in life to which we have come.
Then, from the Wreath Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns we heard a 21 gun salute with field cannons just as it was at my great-uncle’s service here at Arlington seventeen years ago this December.
21 deep booming waves of honor sweeping over all who lay there and those that visit them. 21 notes, Taps.
Scott had been with me that day too. It was time to go.
November 11, 2007
The First Time There….
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Nice… I shared my Macallan flask with him today also.
Comment by Suzy Q — November 11, 2007 @ 7:16 pm |
Veterans Day 2007
A couple of weeks ago my mother had a get together with my father’s side of the family. We haven’t seen them so much over recent years primarily because all but one of the brothers are gone. They all died within a few short years and the g…
Trackback by Blue Star Chronicles — November 11, 2007 @ 10:43 pm |
A beautiful description of your morning. I can’t say how sorry I am that you have had this terrible twist in life. My thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.
Comment by beth — November 11, 2007 @ 10:44 pm |
I’m sorry we missed you yesterday, but I’m glad it was such a beautiful day overall. Suzy shared some Macallan with Scott, too, so I’m sure he enjoyed that.
Comment by Linda — November 12, 2007 @ 6:04 am |
I thought of Scott yesterday as I silently thanked all those who have fought in the interest of freedom. Veteran’s Day gains a special significance when you have a connection to a recently fallen hero. I think of you all often and hope that you are doing well.
Comment by Andy G — November 12, 2007 @ 9:18 am |
What a wonderful description of what must have been an incredibly somber, but very beautiful day for you all. I lifted Scott and your family up at all our church services yesterday. I’d like to think he found that pretty amusing
Great idea for a blog, I’d love to read along!
Comment by Sharon — November 12, 2007 @ 2:44 pm |
May he rest in peace with his brothers in arms. He was a hero.
Comment by Myles — November 12, 2007 @ 5:24 pm |
His birthday, Veteran’s Day, a day to remember and honor. Our prayers were and are with you.
Comment by Cheryl — November 13, 2007 @ 9:16 am |
[...] A Gold Star Father’s describes his day at Arlington. Its his first time there. [...]
Pingback by Veterans Day 2007 » Blue Star Chronicles — September 7, 2009 @ 9:46 pm |