I went to Arlington National Cemetery this morning. It is open only to family pass holders during the Memorial Day weekend. While some states begin to reopen, an executive order delayed parts of Northern Virginia’s reopening until May 29. Arlington National Cemetery was included in the order, but, made an exception for those that are family pass holders. You only get a pass when you have lost someone and they are buried there. You must have a face mask and a valid family pass to enter.
Old Guard 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment soldier attached to the Caisson Platoon
The Caisson
What is the significance of a caisson burial?
The greatest honor of being able to ride funerals at Arlington National Cemetery is being able to provide closure to family members and to be able the offer that last measure of respect that the United States Army and our sister services can give.
A funeral caisson [pronounced kay-sen or kay-sahn] is a two-wheel, horse-drawn cart or wagon originally that was used to transport ammunition during military battles and, when necessary, to transport the wounded or dead from the battlefield. (The limber is attached to the horses, and the caisson is attached to the limber.) source
I salute you, my soldier. May you rest in peace. Rest in peace.
Happy Memorial Day! Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle. While those who died are remembered, Veterans Day is the day set aside to thank and honor all those who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime
The Caisson with flag draped casket
"Being able to provide closure to family members as their loved one is laid to rest here at Arlington -- to be able to be a part of that, and to be able to offer the last measure of respect that the U.S. Army and our sister services can give to her departed heroes."
The ultimate sign of respect for those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
Paying homage to those who died while serving - or from injuries sustained while serving. May they rest in peace. Rest in peace. — at Arlington National Cemetery.
Honoring our Soldiers
I cannot even begin to tell you how many times, how many, many times I walk this path in my life. Stopping and listening to the sound of silence. My heart is shattered from the lives lost and over time, has grown big again, knowing that most, if not all, would do it all over again. For me. For you.
The very last Rolling Thunder for Washington, DC - May 2019
Rolling Thunder. This was last year, as all came together to pay tribute to the servicemen and women. Thousands of bikers rolled through the city on their motorcycles to show respect and say thank you to all of those who have served the country. Sadly, last year was the end of a 31-year old tradition as The Rolling Thunder Ride for Freedom rode through Washington, DC for the last time. It was started as a peaceful demonstration to advocate for prisoners of war and those who are missing in action. Last year, there were over 500,000 bikes. I cheered them on! How could you not? It cost over $200,000 to stage in 2018. Rising costs and harassment from the Pentagon and Washington, DC have led to the decision of making it their last ride. At the time, the Pentagon said it was prepared to support the 2019 ride, but referred inquiries about the status of the 2020 ride to Rolling Thunder. — at Arlington Memorial Bridge.
Honoring prisoners of war and servicemembers missing in action.
Rolling Thunder events always began on Friday at 5 p.m. with a “Blessing of the Bikes” at the Washington National Cathedral. At 9 p.m. there was a candlelight vigil at the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Wall. Pictures were never taken by me... it would have been almost sacrilegious at that point. It was a raw show of emotions, all these years later. I can relate. Time softens, but, doesn't take it away.
As of May 22, 2020, according to the U.S. Department of Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency, US Military, and Civilian personnel still unaccounted for number 1,587. This was the whole point of Rolling Thunder
Vietnam Memorial Wall
Each year on Memorial Day, there are literally thousands of veterans and their families that join their hearts as they come to The Wall to remember and to honor those who died while serving in the U.S. armed forces. Today, that wasn't the case.
"Even though traditional Memorial Day ceremonies and events on the National Mall will not take place this year due to the ongoing safeguards against the coronavirus pandemic, the National Park Service and its partners at the various veterans’ and service memorials will still honor those who gave their lives in defense of the country through virtual and online programming."
“Memorial Day is a time we normally gather at the memorials to lay a wreath in honor of the fallen, remember their heroic deeds, and draw inspiration from their sacrifice,” said Jeff Reinbold, superintendent of National Mall and Memorial Parks. “While we may not be able to gather together in the manner in which we are accustomed, we will still ensure those who made the supreme sacrifice in the service of our country are appropriately honored and remembered on Memorial Day.”
Note left at the Vietnam Memorial Wall
A few years ago, I picked this up from a mass of letters and cards written and left. I have no words for these personal expressions of gratitude. God Bless You, Harry. May you Rest in Peace. It is a sobering sight, yet somewhat inspiring to know that so many fought to protect their country and its freedoms. — at Vietnam Veterans Memorial.
It was many years back that I came upon this memorial for the first time, this wall of strangers. I return to the wall, time and time again, and quietly look over the 58,209 names inscribed. There is so much gratitude on my part, for their many sacrifices, for their enormous losses, for the chance to see, firsthand, in fact, the cost of war…. To count these names, not by the thousands that were up there, but to recognize them one by one by one. Who were these men? No longer strangers to me, for now, they are connected with a name… a person who went to high school, had a crush, had a wedding, maybe even a child. They lived, they loved, and they dreamed of a dream. My heart goes out to the ones left behind and there is a much better understanding on my part of why so many tears had been shed against these black marble slabs.
The Wall has the names inscribed by the day of casualty. Beginning at the center/apex, the names start on the East Wall (right-hand side) working their way out to the end of that wing, picking up again at the far end of the West Wall (left-hand side) and working their way back into the center/apex, joining the beginning and end of the conflict at the center. This according to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.
There have been people added to the wall, having sustained wounds in Vietnam from which they eventually perished. A decision is made regarding the circumstances of their death and their name is added. Service members who were repatriated the year prior have their status symbols changed.
A genuine moment from the heart: “A salute to my hero.” True love has no real end.
And just like that, this day is over. Wherever you are, whatever you are doing, have a Happy Memorial Day, and please, drink and drive responsibly. God Bless America. Unless you are on lockdown. Then just celebrate in place.
Happy Memorial Day!
¸.•´¸.•♥*¨)
(¸.•´♥ (¸.•´ ♥
Many people confuse Memorial Day and Veterans Day. Memorial Day is a day for remembering and honoring military personnel who died in the service of their country, particularly those who died in battle or as a result of wounds sustained in battle.
May there always be that sense of wonder
Initiating the simple ballet
Being true to yourself
And dance.
Thank you for visiting my post 💖 Because of you, I come back to post, again and again. And never forget, kindness counts. Wherever you go, whatever you do.
they set my aunts house on fire
i cried the way women on tv do
folding at the middle
like a five pound note.
i called the boy who use to love me
tried to ‘okay’ my voice
i said hello
he said warsan, what’s wrong, what’s happened?
i’ve been praying,
and these are what my prayers look like;
dear god
i come from two countries
one is thirsty
the other is on fire
both need water.
later that night
i held an atlas in my lap
ran my fingers across the whole world
and whispered,
"where does it hurt?"
it answered,
"everywhere"
"everywhere"
"everywhere"
warsan shire
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