My recent visit to Arlington and your words have brought my consciousness to a higher level which I will strive never to allow to lessen again.

Thank you,
Cynthia

The fog was very thick that day. Visibility was just a few hundred yards. The cemetery was across the street from the public school, but we coudn’t see it. The kids were let out for recess just as the gravesite rites started. So we could hear children laughing and playing in the background as we watched from a short distance from the gravesite for her “echo” to be more effective. Here’s what she wrote:
Ode to Life and the Hereafter by Teresa Reinhart, age 17, February 4, 2008

Quiet,
Mysterious,
Wonderful,
Joyous,
Sad,
Tears
Those sad tears of the living
For the dead do not cry.
Only those that must go on!
But in these moments there is also joy.

At the graveside
The fog rolls thick
Barely visible
But still there
That reminder
Of what will someday come to pass

While the graveyard stays silent
Voices are heard in the distance.
Children frolic, voices ringing loud and clear into the silence
Not knowing
Not caring,
And yet, it seems to those in mourning
As though the one they grieve
has just opened the gates to Heaven
And the living are listening to his passage -
His children ready to greet him.

A military man –

One shot
Then another…

One bugle …
A quiet answer

… as though their loved one
has taken up their mourning call
And wants the living to realize
he’s okay,
And is in that happy place.

He is telling them
That there is joy,
Music,
Laughter,
Singing,
Peace.
And no matter what happens,
He loves them,
And he will greet them when they come.
No more tears of sorrow will fall.
Only those
Of eternal
Happiness.

My Dad was a bombardier on a B-24 in the Pacific theatre in WWII, part of Tom Brokaw’s “Greatest Generation” that saved the world from darkness.

He was shot down twice, survived both of them, the story that sticks best with me was one of burying one of the crew who didn’t make it on some small Pacific island, maybe Truk or Kwajelin, the honor and sadness he felt over the death of a fellow freedom fighter.

Two years ago The Collings Foundation ( http://www.collingsfoundation.org/menu.htm )flew their restored B-24 into Bozeman and my oldest son & I had the privilege of taking a trip back in time to experience firsthand what it was like, an experience neither of us will ever forget.

My Dad passed away five years ago, it was both a privilege and an honor to have the 21 gun salute nearly sixty years later to honor his sacrifice and that of every other patriot that puts their life on the line in order that we here at home can enjoy the freedom our forefathers set out for us.

Thanks for your part in carrying on the tradition and for sharing,

Rob

My grandson served two tours of duty in Iraq, coming home about 3 months early in his second TOD. He suffers from PTSD, TBI, neck and back injuries, some loss of hearing, and radiation exposure. His job was to dig up the IED’s we all hear so much about. He took about 200 smaller hits, 8 big ones and the last big hit is the one that did the most damage. Cumulative hits did the damage. He is slowly trying to rebuild his life…..he is made of “good stuff” so I pray he will be alright. We love him so much.

Again, thanks for your service,……Patricia

Thank you for this beautiful reflection - I too am a Veteran (United States Air Force Staff Sergeant). I too, was given an opportunity to serve on a detail, that most thought was terrible. It was during the time that the traveling Vietnam Vets Wall made it’s way throughout our country. I was privileged to help loved ones find their family members names on the “traveling wall”. I will never forget the way it made me feel if we were having trouble finding the name (sort of a desperate feeling). And then, I’ll never forget the feeling of gratification and “closure” as I escorted a loved one to the site on the wall where the military members name was inscribed. It was gut wrenching to see the loss and pain as wives, mothers, fathers, sons or daugthter’s gently reached up and caressed the name of their dearly departed - BUT WHAT AN HONOR TO SERVE IN THIS WAY!

This morning, I had a similar experience. I serve breakfast once a month to a group of men from a local Vet’s Home. These are men (young and old) who are not able to live independently - they were so gracious this morning and thanked us profusely for honoring them on this day. Somehow, I think the Biscuits & Gravy we served must have tasted better because we recognized their service. If only we had more hallowed moments like these!

Former SSgt Malinda S. Patch-Gray
AETC Surgeon General’s Office - Randolph Air Force Base, Texas

Smiles,
Ann Richardson

They had just celebrated 67 years of being married 3 months earlier. You see, in December 1941 my grandfather volunteered and enlisted into the Army. For three years he was trained and he in turn trained others to fight for our cause and for our country. In June 1944 the culmination of all this training would be tested. He was a Sgt. 1st Class in the 101st Airborne Gliders. And on that day he and his men would land in that wooden glider in a field in France just west of Bastogne. They would secure that area for the safety of paratroopers and move southwest torward Bastogne and it was there that he was wounded while taking a forward position to investigate the source of enemy fire.

He came back home a few months later to meet his son who was about 3 months old. And he would continue build his family. He served his country firstly by making that personal physical sacrifice. And secondly by being a patient and kind husband, father and grandfather and instilling in us a love and respect for our country and also a strong work ethic. Perhaps his experiences made him deeply realize at a young age the importance of treasuring our time and not sweating over the small things.

So on this day especially, Sgt. James Thomas Mills II is my hero.