Good day all,
Here is why I wasn't at the last day of the fair.
Spent this AM and into the afternoon doing duty at the National Cemetery. For those who have never done so I recommend going to these, after the first one you will never forget that Memorial Day is more than BBQ and sales.
Ceremony opens with Colors done by the local Marines. They do an ok job for Marines (:p)
(http://img684.imageshack.us/img684/5189/colorguard.jpg)
The Marines, between the local and the Young Marines, were everywhere taking care of many of the ceremonial functions such as the howitzers for the 21 gun salute -
(http://img99.imageshack.us/img99/4240/marineartillery.jpg)
The wreath and folded flag -
(http://img205.imageshack.us/img205/3626/youngmarines.jpg)
They read a list of names of service members who were killed in theater and buried in the Cemetery. As each name was read a Young Marine placed a roses in a chair corresponding to their branch.
Army's loss -
(http://img80.imageshack.us/img80/935/armyloss.jpg)
Marine's loss -
(http://img22.imageshack.us/img22/2130/marineloss.jpg)
Navy's loss -
(http://img718.imageshack.us/img718/7877/navyloss.jpg)
Coast Guard's loss -
(http://img526.imageshack.us/img526/6031/coastguardloss.jpg)
Air Force's loss -
(http://img267.imageshack.us/img267/4831/airforceloss.jpg)
After the ceremony Gold Star guests were allowed to come pick up the roses from their deceased family member. All others were given a "water burial." I was honored to be allowed to preform this for the Sailors who died -
(http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/3862/rosesx.jpg)
Here are the roses as they drift along -
(http://img17.imageshack.us/img17/9265/rosesfloating.jpg)
Here are some pictures from around the cemetery.
At the main building -
(http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/5602/thebivouacofthedead.jpg)
The true meaning of Memorial Day and the full price of freedom. I have been to several National Cemeteries and they are always juxtaposition of joy and sorrow, pride and loss -
(http://img3.imageshack.us/img3/2598/thepricen.jpg)
(http://img202.imageshack.us/img202/3181/allar.jpg)
It wasn't all solemn. Here are a couple general pics.
I was VERY honored to meet a Medal of Honor recipient. Over the years of doing Color and Honor Guard I have had several opportunities to meet such living heroes but each one never fails humble and impress. Meeting men like him always makes me feel like a slacker -
(http://img706.imageshack.us/img706/8260/medalofhonore.jpg)
Damn!!!!! -
(http://img101.imageshack.us/img101/3987/medalofhonor3.jpg)
And of course I did not leave out the kilt content. Here is a shot of the piper -
(http://img243.imageshack.us/img243/5989/piperd.jpg)
Drac
From an historian on another forum -
The poem shown above, The Bivouac of the Dead, while commonly associated with the Civil War due to its frequent use at National Cemeteries, is actually a tribute to soldiers of the Mexican War by its author, Theodore O'Hara, who served with the 2nd Kentucky Volunteers at the Battle of Buena Vista in February, 1847:
The muffled drum's sad roll has beat
The soldier's last tattoo;
No more on Life's parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few.
On Fame's eternal camping-ground
Their silent tents are spread;
And Glory guards, with solemn round,
The bivouac of the dead.
No rumor of the foe's advance
Now swells upon the wind;
No troubled thought at midnight haunts
Of loved ones left behind.
No vision of the morrow's strife
the warrior's dream alarms;
No braying horn nor screaming fife
At dawn shall call to arms.
Their shivered swords are red with rust,
Their plumed heads are bowed;
Their haughty banner, trailed with dust,
Is now their martial shroud.
And plenteous funeral tears have washed
The red stains from each brow;
And the proud forms, by battle gashed,
Are free from anguish now.
'Twas in that hour his stern command
Called to many a martyr's grave;
The flower of his beloved land,
The nation's flag to save.
As a person with many a family member serving or having served in the military, I think it's beautiful that you took the day to help honor our fallen.
I never make it to formal functions for the day, but I took a few moments of silence this morning to stop and think about my grandfathers and my aunt and my uncle (who JUST came home last month).. and my sister-in-law and my cousin who are still active- a moment to be thankful that they are all alive and well, and a moment to remember those who served with them, some of whom were not so lucky. It is good to know that their service does not go forgotten.