Sunday, November 10, 2019

Lest We Forget


One Thousand Men Are Walking


One thousand men are walking
Walking side by side
The spirit as their guide
they walk toward the light milord
they walk towards the sun
they smoke and laugh and smile together
no foes to outrun
these men live on forever
in the hearts of those they saved
a nation truly grateful
for the path of peace they paved
they march as friends and comrades
but they do not march for war
step closer to salvation
a tranquil steady corps
the meadows lit with golden beams
a beacon for the brave
the emerald grass untrampled
a reward for what they gave
they dream of those they left behind
and know they dream of them
forever in those poppy fields
there walks one thousand men
Joshua Dyer 2019 (aged 14)

In Sep, my sisters and I had the opportunity to visit the National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.  If you are ever in the Washington, DC area, it is a place you definitely must see. The cemetery is free to visit but there is a cost to ride the trolleys where there are guides to explain some of what you see.  Uniformed members of the Armed Forces get to ride the trolleys for free, active service members get 75% off and veterans get 50% off. You also get to bring one guest at that price with you.  The cemetery is huge so using the trolleys is almost a must if you want to see all the highlights of the cemetery and have limited time; with two of us being veterans we all were able to ride the trolley at half price. The site I wanted to see most was the Tomb of the Unknowns so it was the first place we got off the trolley while many people had gotten off at the first stop which was the Kennedy grave site.

Tomb of the Unknowns

Honor Guard

Wreath Laying

Cross of Sacrifice (Canada)

Arlington Pentagon Memorial
There were wreath layings going on when we arrived, one was just finishing. We stayed to watch two more, one by school boys and another by Armored officers for their fallen comrades. One of the guides told us that one of the tombs, there are four (WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam), was empty as DNA evidence had identified the solider who had lain in the tomb. Everyone in the crowd was quiet and respectful. Below is a video of the Tomb of the Unknowns and our visit to Arlington.


I don't know how anyone can go to a military cemetery and then say the Remembrance Day glorifies war; it doesn't, it remembers sacrifice and lives lost, hopefully for what was a just cause.   At Arlington, you can see so many lives that have been lost, although not all the graves are of soldiers, many are those of family members as well.  





Not all the grave stones at Arlington are what you'd expect of a military cemetery. At one time they could have whatever gravestone their family could afford. Now the gravestones are all the same, row upon row and to allow for more burials at Arlington there now is a niche wall.  I hope to go back to Arlington someday and just wander through the graves to remember and thank a service man or woman for their sacrifice.
Civil War Unknowns















Every soldier, sailor or airman has sworn to go into harms way when so directed by our government; so even if you do not agree with that action, remember the courage of the men and women who gave their all doing their sworn duty.

Sgt Craig Gilliam

Maj Ray RuckPaul

Maj Scott Foote






1 comment:

  1. Mom has been to Arlington but it's been YEARS!. We remember all of our soldiers who gave the ultimate to keep us safe♥

    ReplyDelete

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