They Gave Their Lives to Protect our Freedom

Many years ago Lyn and I along with our boys made our first visit to Arlington National Cemetery in Washington.

Over the three hours we spent walking in quiet respect and awe among the graves of over 290,000 who have served our country, I felt both a sense of peace in the beautiful setting on the hills overlooking the city and an overwhelming gratitude for those who served and most importantly, for those who gave their lives to protect our freedom.

At every turn you walk right into history as you read the markers.

There have been many new memorials added since our trip 35 years ago; but when you view them all together it still makes you proud to be an American and to also realize that the battle for freedom has not ended with one generation.

1.    A memorial to the servicemen killed in the Iran hostage rescue mission
2.    Memorials to the astronauts killed in the Challenger and Colombia shuttle missions
3.    The grave of the pilot of United Flight 93
4.    A monument to those killed in the attack on the Pentagon on that horrendous day, 9-11.
5.    The graves of thousands killed in the Civil War
6.    The grave of President Kennedy, his wife, their two children who died as infants and his brother Robert, and on and on.
7.    Standing on the front steps of Lee House you look down the hill and see the grave of Pierre L’Enfant the designer/architect of Washington.
8.    Farther down, is the eternal flame that flickers on President Kennedy’s grave and then your eyes cross the Potomac to the Lincoln Memorial.

The Sea of White Granite Monuments

While a spectacular view, the other views are the ones which bought tears to my eyes – the sea of white granite monuments stretching in perfect alignment across the hillsides giving the appearance of gentle swells upon the sea, reflecting not only the bright sun light but the true cost of our freedom.

As we walked along the roads next to the endless lines of markers, the stillness, which was as enveloping as a dense fog, was interrupted twice by the sounds of gunfire – not fired in anger as so many now resting there had heard, but in honor – 21 gun salutes as two more heroes were joining their brothers and sisters in Arlington.

This is now repeated as much as 20 times each day as young heroes from battles in Iraq and Afghanistan are buried along with older heroes from the other wars from our past, none of which will ever be forgotten.

Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

The most meaningful moment for me came at exactly 12 noon, as we stood in silent respect watching the sentinel from the Army’s Third Infantry, The Old Guard”, in his impeccable uniform march the 21 steps along the black carpet in front of the tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

The inscription reads – “Here Rests in Honored Glory an American Soldier Known but to God”. The guard stops at each end of their post and stands at attention for 21 seconds facing the tomb, turns to face back along the carpet waiting another 21 seconds and then marches to the other end, at precisely 90 steps per minute.

The 21 steps and the 21 second pause each time represent the 21 gun salute, the highest military honor.  For decades this guard post has been manned 24 hours a day, each and every day, in winter storms, summer rains and the almost 100 degree heat of this day.

At exactly noon the Relief Commander appeared with the next sentinel to inspect his uniform and weapon, to insure he was prepared to assume this sacred duty.

We left to go on our way, but those guards will always be there.

Today while you and I go about the routines of life we never give any thought to those guards.

But they are there, just the same at 2:00 in the morning darkness with no one else around as they are at 2:00 in the afternoon when the crowd swells with visitors.

This is a task so desired that the soldiers compete for the honor of wearing the Tomb Guard patch, because they know they are not only guarding this hallowed ground, but also proclaiming the great respect and gratitude of this nation for those who have given their lives in its service – paying the ultimate price for our freedom and liberty.

The Tomb guards change their posts every 30 minutes, always remaining vigilant and faithful. In like manner our armed forces remain on continuous alert around the globe, many this night in the midst of battle and most of the time we take their service for granted as well.