Belated Memorial Day Greetings

The most memorable Memorial Day was when I was a junior in HS and sang in the school choir. Some of us, who were around for the weekend, were asked to sing at a Memorial Day services held at our town's park bandshell. The high school also performed. I was surprised at the turnout; it seemed like the whole town came to honor our fallen heros and all the branches of the military were well represented; including veterans from each war. It was the time of Vietnam and a young soldier, just home from Vietnam, (I didn't know his name) marched forward, then turned around and started pushing the wheelchair of a veteran from World War One. He brought the older veteran to a place of honor up at the front and stood near his wheelchair, all the while standing stoically at attention. The band played several pieces and we in the choral group sang our number; then the 21 gun salute and taps. When we started singing the National Anthem, I heard a gasp from someone in the crowd, so I looked up and saw the older veteran struggling to stand up, trying to get out of the wheel chair to salute the flag. He was frail and in failing health, but was so determined to stand up and honor the flag for which he fought, it brought tears to everyone's eyes. When the young soldier, leaned over to assist him, he nodded to him as if to say, "Thanks, young man, but I want to do this alone." the soldier nodded and stepped back, giving the well-worn hero the respect to not interfere. When the WWI vet finally not only stood, but saluted that flag, he was no longer a frail, old man, but a tall, soldier who had proudly served his country with honor. We all wanted to clap. When the band changed songs and went into America the Beautiful, I could hardly sing, I was so choked up. I looked over at the man and he was gently being re-seated with the help of the Vietnam vet, and one look told you the whole thing taxed the old gent, but you knew there was no way he was going to miss this moment. When he looked back up at the flag, he nodded and smiled; then I looked up and saw the young soldier eyeing the older vet, with a look of respect on his face, still being stoic and strong, yet a single tear was falling down his cheek. You just felt the connection between them that went beyond the ages...soldier to soldier, they honored their country and fallen comrads. Now we have had Desert Storm and Operation Iraqi Freedom casualties added to this and I never hear the Star Spangled Banner without remembering the scene of the effort on the part of the older veteran to salute the flag, and then the interaction between the old and young soldiers. They both knew, freedom is never free!