Sidenote of Interest

[Syzygyone]

From NYT, May 30, 2003

"On this day in history"

On May 30, 1958, unidentified soldiers killed in World War II and the Korean conflict were buried at Arlington National Cemetery...

"Here Rests in Honored Glory an American Soldier Known But to God."

Have any of you seen the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns?  I can think of nothing so right and so honorable as the care and respect that is shown.  I am sure that other countries have similar memorials to their unknown who have fallen in combat.  

to them all.

[midnight Target]

I will be back in DC in a week. I plan on seeing that if possible.

[Syzygyone]

Originally posted by midnight Target
I will be back in DC in a week. I plan on seeing that if possible.

My advice, FWIW:

Go alone.  Sit in the back.  Take kleenex.
Reflect on the fact that those performing the exquisite ceremony, come rain or come shine, are the latest in continuous line going back more than nine decades.  And it still isn't enough of a tribute.

It took my then 17 year tough guy son about 15 minutes to regain his composure after it was over.  And, I am happy to say, there were many others who shared his disconsolation.

When we finally did leave, he said that it made him want to do something worthy of such sacrifice.  That's when his mom and I lost it!

[midnight Target]

Oh oh... I am a sentimental sucker already! Heck I tear up watching a missing man flyby to the bagpipes playing Amazing Grace... I will definitely be a blubbering fool if it is as advertised.

[mosgood]

"National Anthem" gets me every time

[Maverick]

Originally posted by midnight Target
Oh oh... I am a sentimental sucker already! Heck I tear up watching a missing man flyby to the bagpipes playing Amazing Grace... I will definitely be a blubbering fool if it is as advertised.

Ditto here. I have gone to several funerals for brothers in both Military and Police uniforms. The graveside services are really hard to get through. Saw a really nice missing man formation for a Police Officer that was set up by three helos by 3 agencies. The one flying out was from the deceased's department.

[-Concho-]

I've been to one troopers funeral, he was shot to death on a traffic stop.

They took a patrol car and parked it next to the grave with the outside speaker on.   The dispacher called his number twice.  When he didn't answer she ended with the the usual reply of "no contact 6211".   The our director came over the radio 6211 10-7, 10-42.  

10-7 means out of service
10-42 means shift is complete

One of the most moving things I've ever seem.

[Leslie]

My friend who was in the Rangers starting back in '75 trained for the changing of the guard at the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier."  It was part of his Ranger training.

I think he actually participated in it one time.











Les

[rpm]

I was part of a USCG Funeral Detail and it is hard to describe how difficult it was folding the flag. We had 2 buglers echoing Taps.