Today we had a memorial ceremony of one of our brothers who died in Afghanistan.
The chaplain said a few words and then the command element spoke as we all stood in formation to remember CW2 Douglas Vose.
He was a leader of warriors, a devoted husband, and father of four.
At the close of the ceremony, SSGT Barry Sadler's "Ballad of the Green Berets" was played. The song is from a different time, a time that may not have actually existed and, if it did, it was ending even as the song was released, when certain values of selfless service and patriotism were respected rather than cynically mocked, exploited, and rarely thought to be genuine.
It was first sung by a man who burried too many of his friends during Vietnam, and every verse rings true today, none more so than this one:
Back at home a young wife waits
Her Green Beret has met his fate
He has died for those oppressed...
Afterwards the flag, from half staff was raised to the top of the pole and then lowered. Bagpipes played "Amazing Grace" as the flag was folded and placed over the empty boots that stood by the fallen soldier's picture.
On TV it is cliche.
In real life it never is.
I have not stood in many of these ceremonies. But I have stood in enough and I will probaby stand in more.
Tonight we also marked the anniversary of the death of another fallen comrade. Three years ago today AO2 Marc Lee, a SEAL, fell to enemy fire during a mission in Ramadi.
There are no words to describe the quality of these men, the sacrifices they and their families made, or any grand pithy statement to sum it up.
Just remember them.
Remember that they volunteered to serve. Volunteered for the most rigorous training. Volunteered to be Special Operators.
Remember them. Remember their families.
Be proud that we can still produce people like them.
Subscribe to:
Post Comments (Atom)
No comments:
Post a Comment