Memorial Day

Since this is the Memorial Day Weekend I thought I might present a blog post that takes everyone sort of inside a part of what this weekend is suppose to be like.

Normally I don't share pieces I've written until I am completely satisfied with the finished product, however just for you guys here is a portion of this idea I got last Thursday put to paper. Or in this case computer.  I look forward to your feedback because my instincts tell me there is a lot more to this than I have managed to get out of my head to this point.

 

 

 

The Sentinel



The lights of the capitol glitter like jewels in the distance.

Five – Six – Seven – Eight

The chill air is crystal clear so much so that I can just make out the top of the Monument in the midst of all those twinkling lights.

Nine – Ten – Eleven – Twelve

Closer by, the river winds around, a dark yet silvery ribbon.

Thirteen – Fourteen – Fifteen – Sixteen

Below me along the well-kept slopes the Garden of Stone lies shimmering in the moonlight.

Seventeen – Eighteen – Nineteen – Twenty

The stark white markers standing in seemingly never ending rows.

Twenty-One, Right Face and face the Tomb and Pause

The Tomb. Seven total pieces, seventy-nine tons of the whitest marble to be found.

One – Two –Three – Four

In the light from the full moon the marble seems to glow as if lit from within.

Five – Six – Seven – Eight

Victory gazes back at me from the carved center pane on the front of the Tomb.

Nine – Ten – Eleven – Twelve

To her right stands Valor, his countenance stern and unflinching.

Thirteen – Fourteen – Fifteen – Sixteen

To the left is Peace, her palm branch held out to reward the devotion and sacrifice that went with courage to make the cause of righteousness triumphant.

Seventeen – Eighteen – Nineteen – Twenty

 

On the back of the tomb is the oft’ quoted line, “HERE RESTS IN HONORED GLORY AN AMERICAN SOLDIER KNOWN BUT TO GOD”.

Twenty-One, shoulder arms rifle away from tomb, Right Face and pause again



Before me the black rubber lies stark against the grey granite marking my path clearly.

One – Two – Three – Four

Behind me I can hear the faint sounds of the city. Before me even the night seems to hold her reverence for this place.

Five – Six – Seven – Eight

I am a member of the Old Guard, My job is to protect these hallowed few. I shall never desert my sacred post.

Nine _ Ten _ Eleven - Twelve

The silence here this time of night is deep and steadfast companion. I find the silence comforting though others might not.

Thirteen – Fourteen – Fifteen - Sixteen

No one to intrude upon the majestic solitude of this place.

Seventeen – Eighteen – Nineteen - Twenty

The utter sense of solemnity that this place deserves.

Twenty-One, step off again

My footfalls are barely audible on the mat as I walk my post besides the great marble Tomb.

One – Two – Three – Four

Below me lie the graves of Admirals, Generals, even Presidents but up here are only those sacred bones of common soldiers.

Five – Six _ Seven _ Eight

My every movement is measured and careful following a tradition begun more than Seventy-five years ago.

Nine - Ten – Eleven – Twelve

My proudest achievement is that wreath I am honored to wear that identifies me as one of the 525 men who have walked their post on these hallowed grounds.

Thirteen – Fourteen – Fifteen – Sixteen

Twenty-Four Hours a day, 365 days a year we walk this post.

Seventeen – Eighteen – Nineteen – Twenty

Unwavering through all circumstances. Unflinching in any situation. A continuous, uninterrupted vigil.

Twenty-One, Left Face and face the Tomb