Death and Honor

I visited the Arlington National Cemetery last week and it was a moving experience. The first piece of information that was startling was the size of the cemetery which covers 624 acres of land. Second came the fact that the United States WWII veterans were currently dying at a rate of 1400 a day. Of course there were some funerals underway during our time there although not where we were located but I did see a rider less horse procession with the casket draped in black. The eternal flame at John Fitzgerald Kennedy’s grave site flickered and burned as we viewed the stone marker showing that both Jackie and the former President along with two of their children were interred at this place. Robert Kennedy’s site was marked by a single white cross about 100 yards away. Another incomparable moment came as we observed the soldiers changing guard at the tomb of the “Unknown Soldier”. With military precision the 3 men executed the change without error as they have and will continue to do every half hour for twenty four hours a day, 365 days a year. These young soldiers volunteer for this duty which binds them in a contract to guard this tomb for a period of two years. As we moved around the grounds we saw the gravesite of Audie Murphy the most decorated soldier in WWII. This man had 6 medals of valour by the time he was 22 years old. The “Vietnam War” memorial although simple was awe inspiring as you walked by the seemingly never ending list of fallen soldier’s names on the shiny black surface of the wall. As impressive was the statue of the lads hoisting the US flag at Iwo Jima. This site becomes even more amazing when you consider the price in lives that was paid to win the battle in the Pacific theater. Also in the area were the “Lincoln” and the “Korean” war memorials which were also stirring exhibits. Even in a place such as this there was some room for humour as our guide told the story about why the Confederate gravestones were different from the Yankee ones. The north buried their dead under a small white stone marker about 2’ high, 3” thick and 1’ wide with a rounded top. The Rebs” buried their boys under a stone the same size with a pointed top so the “Yankees” couldn’t sit on their graves. Finally, when standing on high ground you cannot help but be moved by the view of thousands of small white gravestones all across the green fields aligned in rows mirroring military regimental formation. These young men and women died in the pursuit of the peace and freedoms our citizens have enjoyed in the past and up to the present day. I would recommend that anyone who wants to see first-hand the cost of life, liberty and the pursuit of happiness that we all desire should visit this place of reverence. It is also a good teachable moment for children to help them realize that what we have today should not be taken for granted. The next time you see a veteran of the military take the time to stop and say thanks so they can hear it first-hand and know that their sacrifice did not go unnoticed.