December 12, 2010
Last Thing
The last thing I heard was the report of fire, one last wild spurring of colors made sound, then silence.
The last thing I felt was an intake of breath, air drawing deep into me. I don't remember the exhale. I thought nothing could reach me. I never knew what hit me.
I'll be all right in a minute, I said, but nothing came out.
I'm looking down on my still form, thinking I must have a concussion, for the vision could not be real. I close my eyes and recite the steps to field strip my AR in the field. "bolt fully forward", "remove the bolt carrier and the charging handle", open my eyes.
But sometimes an echo is heard.
The cemetery is old now, my grave now surrounded by others, so many years, so many funerals. My eyes live on in a child I never met. My name lives on, on a piece of granite in a place forever solemn, in a picture, in a flag.
Somebody needs to remember these guys and appreciate what they've done.
Posted by: Tim at December 12, 2010 01:29 PMLet me just say that (and please note, I am speaking only for myself, not as a representative of the US Army or anyone else) as a current US Soldier, I feel VERY remembered and appreciated almost everywhere I go. When I am in my uniform, everywhere I go people come up and shake my hand, they say thank you, they often buy my meal, refusing to take no for an answer.
I see in them a real sense of thankfulness, of appreciation, of pride, of respect. It not only makes me feel proud to be an American Soldier, but it motivates me to excel, to DESERVE those accolades. I believe it does the same for my Soldiers as well.
Much of this is thanks - like so many things in today's Army- to the lessons learned and paid for in blood by Viet Nam veterans. I have never had anyone spit on me, nor speak rudely to me. On the contrary, civilian Aircrew call out my unit and the airplane erupts in applause.
I've seen the same levels of rememberence and respect at 9/11 ceremonies, Memorial Day, and Veterans Day. And believe me, when I'm gearing up to deploy, that gives me a lot of comfort.
Again - it motivates me to DESERVE it.
Respectfully,
Orion
SGT, USAR
Army Aviation - Above the Best!
Your prose is priceless Brigid. I hope I'm found worthy of that flag draped coffin when my time comes.
Posted by: Six at December 12, 2010 07:45 PM