MEMORIAL DAY 2019

A few weeks before Memorial Day, Don and I visited Jefferson Barracks, one of the country's largest veterans' cemeteries. We were there to honor a man who served as Chief Petty Officer in the United State Navy more than 20 years ago. Before going to the cemetery we went to a sectarian funeral parlor where eulogies were provided by children, grandchildren, friends and colleagues. People told stories about the man's humility, kindness and his love of art and woodworking. The parlor was filled with people sitting and standing. Almost all got into the long funeral cortege to go to the cemetery.

When we came there the day was warm with a breeze that rustled the trees and shrubbery. The family gathered under a sheltered, open air pavilion at the top of a hill. Below us a small group of sailors came forward. Some peeled off from the others to fire a nine-gun salute. Two others, a man and woman, came forward and stood directly in front of the family. They began to fold the flag, turned and joined the other sailors. Taps was played by a veteran who had a Service Dog on the grass beside him. As we heard the wail of Taps, two sailors walked up and placed the American Flag and the empty shells used to fire the nine-gun salute into the hands of family members.

As we left many people continued to emerge from their parked cars to greet the family, and I saw the stark whiteness of the more than 350,000 grave stones of men and women of all ages and beliefs who often give and gave their lives to this country. They and we believed it was for a "Just Cause."

That was and is what Memorial Day 2019 means to me.