I am very thankful every day for the men and women of our Armed Forces who voluntarily stand on the wall to protect our country and Constitution against any who would do them harm even knowing that the price for freedom for us all may be their very life.
This year, that message is even more poignant than usual. Normally, later in the day, the kids and I would be ringing a certain phone in Port Orange and really making my father’s day (if not year!). This day more than any other was one that really meant a lot to him that people remembered the sacrifices he’d made over a long and honourable career in the US Army and you could just tell in his voice that no matter how tired or in pain he was, all that drifted away for at least a short time as we thanked him for his service.
Obviously, we won’t be making that call this year but I have no doubts that wherever he is, he knows that all of us who truly knew him loved him and appreciated all he did for us and our country.
But I’d like to also send a special bit of appreciation for the men and women stationed at Ft Myer who made his journey to his final resting place in Section 76 of Arlington National Cemetery an experience that I will never forget for as long as I live. From the time we arrived until the time we had to leave to catch the ferry in Delaware, every aspect of the service was absolutely first class all the way.
There were many pictures and memories made that day but I knew full well which one I’d share here on Facebook today…this one is as we’re following the caisson and making a left turn near the Tomb of the Unknown. Every eye, every camera, everyone was focused on that caisson and the silence was deafening.
Thank you to all of the people who allowed us to pass by in peace who became a part of our history and allowed us to become a small part of theirs. Thank you from the bottom of my heart for reaffirming my faith in the boundless goodness of heart that is a hallmark of the citizens of the USA.
I miss my father dearly but I am truly happy that he is free of all of the pain and suffering he endured these last few years and has taken his place of honour in one of the most sacred places in these United States.