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For those of us who have visited Normandy, Appomattox, Gettysburg, Arlington, the National Cemeteries of the Pacific, Florida National and a host of other sites, this account is for you. If you have not, please make time to do so. Honor those who have served and their memory.

If you ever have the unfortunate opportunity to attend a military funeral - please, by all means possible, do so. Not only do you honor the veteran, their family and brothers and sisters at arms, but our country and the very ideals we have gone to war to defend and protect.

A military service goes well beyond the liturgical services we are all familiar with. The setting (in this instance Florida National Cemetery), the cortege, active duty honor and color guards, the flag ceremony, the presenting of colors, the bugle call of taps and internment are each moving, emotional and
powerful. The precision and execution of each part of the ceremony is based in tradition, military discipline and recognition of the sacrifice of the fallen warrior. No one, and I mean no one, is unmoved. Marines will shed tears. Enough said.

As we begin this Memorial Day weekend, make sure you thank a veteran for their sacrifice and service and take the time to reflect on those who have gone before.

For our veterans, I thank you for your sacrifice. We all owe you a debt that cannot be paid; but it shall never be forgotten.

I really appreciate this post. While I was in Iraq during the surge, I attended 50-60 memorial services. We lost well over 100 soldiers in our AO (area of operation) in the twelve months I was there. I had the honor of working with most of these units, teams after these deaths, helping them tell their stories about the trauma and loss and memories of the friend they lost. Combat deaths are aweful. Memorial Day has a totally different meaning, really sucked for the first 10 years, now it’s tolerable. I do remember the humor. I’ll never forget one somber service about a young specialist that died in a IED blast. The ceremony was well performed and quite honorable. However, I could help but remember his battle buddies sharing that his goals in life were to get out of the army and become a porn star. He was the squads jokester, pulled a lot pranks too.

Peace,

_________________
Vaughn DeCoster
Cirrus SR20, N77ZX
flydoc@live.com
Cell 479.445.9814

thanks for these Posts. I just watched PBS' "Going to War". For a non military civilian it was important for me to see. A small step at insight, but a little picture for me of what you, Vaughn, and others did and endured for us!

Peace Indeed,
Jay