Monday, December 17, 2012

Arlington - our nation's cemetary

It seemed like "finally" what this trip is all about was here. We were up quite early in the morning, quick breakfast and onto the metro. Folks that we were traveling with, said that the cemetery would be very busy and it would be best to get there early  . Nice thing about the metro, is we were just three stops from Arlington, so it was a very easy ride in.
Do we look like old pros riding this thing. Even little Rylie got right into the grove and knew just how to behave....(note, doing a nice "under" my legs and the  seat)











Rick got Moxie quickly settled in and we were off. The train had a number of folks on it, but as we were entering Arlington, the traffic out along the highway was "amazing". I am so glad we could take the metro and not have to fuss with all that traffic.




We were, by no means, the first folks there. They said they were expecting about 20,000 volunteers... I couldn't even imagine what 20,000 people in one place would "look like". People were in happy spirits and the weather was just beautiful....
Some of the trucks were already in place.  There was also a "formal" procession that came into Arlington, but I think because there are so many trucks, it is easier not to have them all arriving at the same time.
 Opening ceremonies were   held in the amphitheatre near the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Because we had some time, our first stop was there. Such an impressive sight to see, and even though there had to be a few hundred people... you could hear a pin drop and the steps of the guard.
We found a seat, sat and chatted with the folks around us, and took it all in.












The people around us were very interested in the puppies. They asked all sorts of questions and enjoyed schmoozing with them. You can be certain that the dogs enjoyed all the attention.
I am pleased that we listened to advise and got there on the early side. It didn't take long for the place to fill up and there was standing room only. I found out later that really just a small percent of the volunteers went to the opening ceremonies.. many folks (who have probably done this for years) picked a section and just stayed with the truck until it was time to lay the wreaths.
And here are the folks who started it all...such wonderful, humble people. They presented the one millionth wreath (since the project has begun) to a gold star Mother to lay on her son's grave. As he handed the wreath off he said "I don't know what all the fuss is about, I am just a wreath maker from Maine... the real heros are here".... (one of many times I shed tears that day!!!)
After a few short speeches and the like, it was time to lay the wreaths. The trucks were opened, people stood in line to take a wreath or two, and off they went.











It is very well organized. Trucks park in certain sections and knowing how many grave are in each one, they have that many wreaths on board. Two things were asked of the volunteers... please place the wreath in the section that you got it from... and please do not put wreaths on the graves of Jewish soldiers - as it is not their tradition. We were also asked, not just "drop the wreath and hurry off".. but to take a few moments and "visit" there, and not to pass by the Jewish grave site, but to stop a moment and say thank you as well.

My Mom and Dad told us that one of the police officers from our old home town was also making the trip. Ed and I thought that we would try and find him, but when I saw the crowd I had my doubts. However, we did spot him and so we all laid wreaths together. As it turned out Rick also knew Tom, so we had a good time being together.
This was the grave that I chose to lay my wreath at. Anna Warren, the wife of a Lt. Col.... she passed in 1934......










Rylie and I stopped and paid our respects.....

Ed's grave site was a man not too far away from mine... Frank H. Neatherland.. a World War II veteran....












 here are the menfolk ... Ed with Rylie, Officer Tom, Rick and Moxie.....
Now there is another story that goes along with this trip. One day before we left, I was browsing the Wreaths Across America webiste, I saw a posting from a young gal who was asking if anyone going to Arlington, would they be willing to "find" her Dad (he was buried there last summer.) Since she was not able to go and see the wreaths being laid, she wanted a picture of it all. I wrote her, and we became "friends"... and she even sent some "trinkets" for us to leave at the grave site. Here's the photo of her Dad's resting spot.
And one with Moxie and Rylie paying their respects...











This year, there were enough wreaths for "everyone" (over 150,000!!!)... even a row that did not have their stones yet, had wreaths placed. Arlington is an active cemetery, so burials are happening all the time.
Even the extremely "new" sites had wreaths placed on them.












The thing that I found "difficult" (if I can use the word) is how my emotions went back and forth between excitement, proud of the puppies, happy, sad... it just really depended on each moment. One of the fun moments was when we met up with the Cheerleaders of the Washington Redskins, who were there to volunteer. These pretty gals fell in love with Rylie and Moxie and just had to have their pictures taken with them.

And then, moments later, a young gal who was about to lay her wreath at the grave site of a family member came over and asked if she could just hug one of the puppies. She sat for quite a while, quietly hugging Rylie, and then stood up, said "thank you" and went off ......
A flag on a car..... a "gold star Mother".....
And another gold star Mother... who, as it turned out, is currently sponsoring a NEADS puppy by the name of Radar. (named after her son's "call name"). We promised that we would look Radar up when we returned home.








And this gold star Mother spent the longest time with Moxie. There was no doubt in my mind that the dogs brought a real comfort and peace to many of the folks there that day. And though I have seen this happen many times, it's still kind of "magical" to me...
And all too often, you just would glance sideways, and see this........












And moments like this, you were quickly reminded of what Arlington is. For many families there, this will be the first Christmas without their loved ones.....
As we were on our way out, this gentleman stopped to talk with us. Moxie took an instant liking to him.. and he gave her a big hug and said... "do you know that one day... you will save someone's life"....one of those moments that just send chills down your spine.
no one was "forgotten"... wreaths left at the Tomb of the Unknown
And at the grave site of the Kennedy's.....













And my mood returned somber again, when we saw the flag at half staff... in remembrance of the school shooting yesterday in Newtown CT...... where, as we all know, 20 children and 6 adults were killed....
The guard keeps careful watch over it all... and as we leave ---- in it's quiet... in it's memories and in it's honor.....











Thank you to all who have served.. are serving and to those who gave the ultimate gift... they're own lives......







 

 

1 comment:

Linda said...

Sue, thank you so-o-o much for sharing this. What an amazing experience. All those years I lived there and never 'took the time' to go to such a precious place of remembrance for those who gave the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom.