Showing Respect and Reverence for
Sacrifices Made
Today I watched the video about a funeral in Arlington during
the recent snowstorm.
Close to 30 years ago now I was very fortunate to be to McLean,
VA on temporary duty for my employer at the time. McLean is a suburb of
Washington DC. I would be there 8 weeks.
During that time, several of the other members of the team and I
visited DC as often as possible to see as much as possible during our time
there. We were working very hard all day, and playing even harder when we
got home.
One evening our trip was to Arlington National Cemetery. We
got there in the afternoon and stayed until ordered to leave when the park was
closing. We got to see a changing of the guard at the Tomb of the
Unknown, and all of the other mainstays - the Challenger Memorial, JFK's grave
and flame, and a few others I can't recall exactly.
What I do remember is this - the overwhelming feel of respect,
reverence and pride. Respect for what all of those buried there had done
and for the humans they were, reverence for the sacrifices they had made and
for what our country stood and stands for, and pride in being an American.
I could truly feel that we have a magnificent rich heritage and each of
us has reason to be proud of that.
Everyday, I see place and things that need to be fixed, people
too. And I don't have all the answers. I don't think any one of us
actually does. But I do know this, I am proud to have been BORN in
America, (a little prouder that I was born in the South), and I am glad I CAN
work and pay taxes and I will NEVER fail to exercise my right to vote.
And, if I ever forget any of those things, I hope something
comes along and reminds me how I felt in Arlington!
AND - by all means, visit Washington DC sometime in your
lifetime! It is well worth the effort!
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