Memorial Day

Memorial Day. 

It's the day we try to honor the memory of those military men and women who have put their lives on the line for us, their fellow citizens. 

I've been to Washington DC a few times over the years. I have been able to get to Arlington National Cemetery twice.   Once with a tour group, and once "self-directed". 

You wander through the "garden of stone," and draw wonder through the air that lies above that expanse. 

The day I was there on my own happened to be a day in mid/late May.   What many people do not know is that there is that, on a day, a few before Memorial Day on occasion known as "Flag In," where every available member of the US Army's 3rd Infantry Division place flags before each and every grave marker at Arlington.   That was occurring on the day I was there. I had no idea. 

I thought about speaking to the soldiers afterwards, but decided what they thought or felt was their own, and I should honor their private thoughts. 

My father was qualified to be interred at Arlington, but instead he is buried locally. 

Life and the traditions at Arlington give us some continuity in our society. 

The traditions may be modified as needed, but they continue.  

The Flag-In continues in our time of pandemic, as does the support afforded to those being buried at Arlington, or to those service members who have died overseas and are received at Dover Air Force Base. 

That support is also supplied by members of The Old Guard, as the 3D Regiment is known as.   The military men and women of the Old Guard now wear face masks performing those duties, but their duties have not stopped. 

Another duty thst has not stopped is the sentry stand at the Tomb Of The Unknown Soldier.   The sentries don't wear masks, but their inspection at the Guard change now takes place at a six-foot remove, but they are inspected nonetheless. 

And the sentry performs their continuous rounds of  21 steps, turn & face for 21 seconds, take 21 steps, turn and face for 21 seconds, and repeat. 

That continues.   

And reminds us that, 'though we may wish it otherwise, I looks that we will continue to require the services of those military members who will continue to offer their lives for ours 

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The image at the top of the post is that of a soldier of The Old Guard at Flag-In at Arlington National Cemetery, 2020