I choked up when I saw the above. Go here to learn more about Wreaths Across America.
Go tell the Spartans, passerby:
That here, by Spartan law, we lie.
Simonides, Epitaph for the Spartan dead at Thermopylae
Christmas at Arlington
Donald R. McClarey
Cradle Catholic. Active in the pro-life movement since 1973. Father of three, one in Heaven, and happily married for 41 years. Small town lawyer and amateur historian. Former president of the board of directors of the local crisis pregnancy center for a decade.
To anyone who has not visited Arlington National Cemetery – make the trip. The Washington area is not a friendly place, and is downright hostile to out of area drivers, and I speak from experience, but everyone should see Arlington. I sued to drive by one corner of the Cemetery on the way to work.
One year ago, the husband of a second cousin, a retired Marine Corps Lt. Colonel, and Vietnam veteran, was buried at ANC. We arrived the day before and saw the final changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier for the day. The sun was setting and there was a clear view of the Lincoln Memorial, highlighted by the headlights of cars headed home. It was a unique experience.
Burials take place at ANC every businrss day all day, so there is always the chance one will see a horse drawn caisson in a procession.
It’s on the list. Elf’s folks are simi-close and we have a camper, now, so going to be visiting the in-laws more, which means we’re going to visit all the history in DC.
We were there for 9/11 this year, but I couldn’t justify dragging the kids and the Tank into DC when we were already frazzled. Next year.
My wife and I chaperoned a beautiful group of WWII vets and their loved ones in 2010. The vet’s we’re front and center for the changing of the guards.
A week I will treasure forever.
God bless them all.
Patriots, soldiers, men and women, American citizens.
I agree 100% with this post. But let us not forget those who could not be buried at Arlington. As a submariner, particularly important to me are the crew of the USS Thresher SSN-593 and USS Scorpion SSN-589 who remain on eternal patrol. Yes, I realize the Dept of the Army controls the cemetery, but any member of the Armed Forces who dies on active duty is elgible for internment there.
PS, you guys always remember soldiers & marines. Rightly so. But sometimes the Silent Service needs to be remembered too.
LQC, you are correct. You refer to those who died at sea, who by their service and death have earned a place at ANC, but are not buried there. It is, of course, open to all service members who meet eligibility requirements. I referred to my cousin’s husband, a Vietnam vet who flew fighter jets. He was shot down at sea and rescued by the Navy. I have another cousin, a retired career Air Force veteran who can be buried at ANC if it is what he wants – I do not date ask as it isn’t my business.
I live too far away to volunteer to put wreaths on the graves. I haven’t been toy own family’s graves this year. All I can do is say thanks.
Thank you, Penguins Fan. Not exactly on topic, but the men with whom I served aboard the USS Jacksonville SSN-699 taught me everything I know about nuclear power, and gave me a career that fed my family and me for the succeeding decades. More importantly, I would (and did) trust them with my life, and they trusted me with theirs. Now that my old submarine has been decommissioned (I was a plank owner – present for actual new construction at Electric Boat / General Dynamics) and I am closer to my particular judgment by the Almighty, I think on these things more and more: what I owe those men, a debt that I can never repay. God bless the men of the USS Jacksonville, and all our service people – soldiers, sailors, airmen, marines & coast guardsmen.
USS Thresher Monument at ANC dedicated September 2019.
Thank you, Cam! I did NOT know. I just googled for this:
USS Thresher SSN-593 Monument at ANC:
https://threshermemorial.org/
And found this too, albeit not at ANC:
USS Scorpion SSN-589 Memorial at Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum
http://aimmuseum.org/uss-scorpion-ssn-589-memorial/