Memorial Day

I had the privilege of singing today at a local Memorial Day event. Though the morning started off rainy a few people managed to show up to pay respects to our passed military veterans.

The event started with a few songs by the community band. With them, I sang the National Anthem and God Bless America. There were some prayers and some quick words of gratitude, in length, the whole event lasted maybe 45min-1hour. The most moving part though was when the Band played a medley of military hymns. The instructions to the Vets were to stand when you hear your song being played. And so it went. First out of the gate was the Air Force tune, followed by the Marine Corpse, then the Naval Hymn "Eternal Father, Strong to Save", finally, the Amry's song. More touching than the music itself, was the inherrant strength and pride in each tune that moved these often frail older veterans to do their best to stand up and represent their loyalties. When the Army's song was being played, I watch two men. The first was in a wheelchair. With the aid of his wife, he was able to stand the best he could. The second was sitting in a chair, and tried to stand. The emcee even went over to him and attempted to help him to his feet. When that didn't work, he simply remained seated. (I think I must be a softy) My eyes welled up and I felt as though I needed to go and help him stand. Sadly, I didn't. I could tell he wanted nothing more than to represent his Army by standing, he just wasn't able.

In that moment I looked around again, probably the oldest veterans in attendance served in the Korean War. I doubt anyone there was from WWII, every year we see fewer and fewer of these folks. And to me, that is a great loss because they are, in my mind, the greatest generation of Americans. The trials and injustices they overcame seemed insurmountable, yet, with grace, vigor, and humility they triumphed in the face of evil. Their evergrowing absence from this earth is a great loss to our future generations.

As we were leaving the cemetary, we decided to look around a bit. We noticed that this cemetary did not allow above ground headstones. I think that gave the place a more somber, less creepy, feel. We didn't walk far before we came across the Masonic Quarter of the cemetary. All the in-ground headstones bore the Masonic Emblem and in the center of the quarter was an above ground masonic monument that represented the three degrees of freemasonry as a foundation upon which the rest of the monument stood. At each of the three tiered levels were written "Eternal Apprentice", "Fellow Craft" and "Master Mason" appropriately. The main body had the emblems of different masonic branches all the way around, emblems such as the Eastern Star, the Shriners, etc. At the top of the monument sat a stone Bible open to Ecclesiastes 12:1, 7. The experienced sparked a quick conversation between Amanda and I regarding Freemasonry, I offered that those people who have a problem with Freemasonry are probably the same sort the take issue with Harry Potter.

Anyway, it is an interesting day and I am thankful for the services of our men and women in uniform, especially those who paid for freedom with their lives.