I watched the National Memorial Day Tribute a little bit ago. It was a good program …. and a good cry.
The camera shot that got me was one taken when the different branches of the service were being honored. As representatives for each branch marched out to the music the camera panned over the crowd.
In the crowd only a few were standing. Those standing were predominently older men, probably World War II vets. Some Vietnam vets here and there.
As the camera panned the crowd, in one frame there were 3 older men standing and saluting. They stood with seeming difficulty, one leaning on a walker, but still saluting.
In that frame was one young man, probably in his late teens, in uniform, saluting. He stood behind the older men and seemed caught in the frame as an aside - the focus being on the older men.
He stood tall, proud and framed behind and between the men from an earlier era.
The single frame of the photo took me aback and brought a sob to my throat. For some reason it was profound to me.
Those older men had been that young man in an earlier time. They had worn the same uniform and stood as tall and proud as he did today. Some day in the future, he will be as they are now.
All the people sitting and talking between the scattered few who stood to honor our servicemen have those men to thank for their freedom.
It seemed to me a prime example of a succession of honor.
May 29th, 2006 at 5:14 am
First Cup 05.29.06…
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May 29th, 2006 at 9:32 am
Thank you for sharing that, beth. What a beautiful description and analogy, too!
May 29th, 2006 at 9:34 am
A bit discouraging picture–until one recalls that we are looking at largely a crowd of Washingtonians. It’s the political class in this country that has particularly lost its moral convictions, love of country, and respect for heroism over the last generation. Thank God for the Red States!
All the best,
D. Ox
May 29th, 2006 at 10:07 am
Have a grateful Memorial Day Beth. I can’t use the word Happy.
May 29th, 2006 at 12:27 pm
Remembering Memorial Day…
Remembering and honoring those gone before us and those that still fight for our freedoms in Afghanistan and Iraq. Today Freedom Watch honors those that keep a vigilant watch always putting freedom above all so that we may live in a free democracy sa…..
May 29th, 2006 at 12:41 pm
Good read , Beth…
Thanks for sharing…
AubreyJ………
May 29th, 2006 at 6:03 pm
Blaming the U.S….
For months now all that the media has been inundating the populous with is how horrible countries around the world think the U.S. is for going into Iraq and toppling Saddam Hussein. Saddam Hussein defied UN sanctions for up to thirteen years snubbing…..
June 2nd, 2006 at 10:09 am
[...] – A Rose by Any Other Name: What Memorial Day Means – Big Dog: Honoring Our Nation’s Fallen Heroes – Big White Hat: The Fallen – Blackfive: The Last Letter; Video Tributes – Laughing Wolf: Memorial Day, Part 1; Part 2; Part 3 – Blue Star Chronicles: Memorial Day Cartoon; Carnival of the Blue Stars; Liberty is Never Free of Costs; A Succession of Honor – Bos’un Locker Memorial Day Monday, May 29th, 2006 – Castle Argghhh! – Grey Eagle: On This Memorial Day Weekend – Hooah Wife: Memorial Day – Pettifog: Some Gave All – Sgt Stryker’s Daily Brief: To Absent Friends – Soldiers’ Angels New York: Memorial Day; We Remember – Pirates Cove: Let ‘Er Fly – The Middle Ground: Why Memorial Day Matters – Small Town Veteran: All Gave Some, Some Gave All – Iraq War Today has several posts: Here, here, here, here, here, here,and here. The Photo Link to Slate is very nice. – Darleen’s Place: Google’s Choice on Memorial Day – Whatsaykyer: Memorial Day 2006 – Wizbang: Remember – Blond Sagacity: Memorial Day Observance – California Conservative: Memorial Day Commentary from an Army Wife – The Gun Line: Memorial Day [...]