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They Came Home

It was windy and cool day as the sun was well hidden behind a gray sky. Rain lightly fell as we stood there waiting patiently, watching the airplane as it taxied along the tarmac. Slowly it turned towards us and stopped along side the long line of deep black cars that had earlier been driven up and parked. We were all dressed in our formal dress uniforms. Each proudly representing our seperate branches of service. We were there to make sure that those inside were afforded the highest respect and thanks from our great nation for the job they had done and the sacrifices they had made. The cool breeze tugged at us gently and yet we stood there unwavering in the face of what lay ahead. The side door opened and we watched as soldier after soldier walked down the tall flight of stairs and onto a bus. Not a word was spoken by anyone as this day would be etched in our minds forever. Finally the tail of the airplane was opening and the cargo inside would be soon unloaded. In a sharp sound as one we turned and marched around and faced the taill of the aircraft. I watched as the ramp moved silently lower and lower, seemingly not wanting to disturb those inside. It was then that I got my first glimpse of the cargo that we had come to honor. There in the airplane was row after row of flag draped coffins. Flags laying over heroes who had paid the greatest sacrifice for their country. I suddenly felt a lump form in my throat as I could feel the loved ones pain for these soldiers. Finally the ramp was down and it was time for us to remove these coffins one by one. Forward we marched as the first one was slid to the edge so we could lift it and carry it to the first vehicle in line. In silence each member of the honor guard slid their hands around the cold steel railing oalong the side of coffin and we lifted, turned and began our march. Silence was all around us, the only sound heard was that of our feet as they met the ground beneath us. An eerie silence had settled over the area as if nothing wanted to disturb those we were honoring. The corner of the flag was caught by a sudden breeze and I reached quickly to secure it, not wanting the flag to be lifted from where it lay. I thought back in my mind to the many times I had been called upon to do this very detail and the pride I felt paying respect to fallen heroes. It mattered not to me of their race, religion or branch of service, all that mattered to me was that they had died protecting what too many take for granted. One by one the coffins were loaded into the waiting vehicles and finally it was time to leave. Not a word was spoken by any of my fellow honor guard members as we were each dealing with the accomplished task in our own ways. We all knew that no words could ever express what we had just done. We now knew that a greater task was ahead as soon we would walk thru the gates of one of the biggest cemeteries in our country. A place of vast green grass, rowed by white stones marking where each fallen hero of our country had been finally laid to rest. The day of honoring these heroes soon came, quicker then any of us wanted, knowing it would be long and draining on all of us. It was early morning but preparations were already underway for the days events. Each of us had made sure our uniforms were perfect and we sat quietly waiting, each reflecting in our own way. My mind wandered back to the day when we had received these heroes that we would be laying to rest today. Many of the coffins had been received by family and loved ones and taken back to their homes for their own funeral. I knew that they too would be honored by soldiers like myself as they too paid their last respects. Many of us knew that numerous flag draped coffins, carrying heroes to their rest, would be carried by others like us in the days, weeks and months ahead. It was time as I stood and checked my uniform, in front of the full length mirror, one last time. I walked in silence with the others along the hallway, the only sound was the click of our shoes as they touched the highly polished tiles on the floor. Soon we stood there in the order assigned and began marching to the gate where we would wait for the arrival of the procession that would bring another fallen heroe to us. The weather had blessed us as the sun was peeking from behind the clouds off and on and the temperature was almost perfect. In the distance we could hear the vehicles as they made their final turn into the entrance way. A lump was filling my throat again as I foght to fight back tears. I had been assigned this task for a time now but with each and every honor guard there was the urge to cry. Composing myself I watched the first car roll past us along with each car until the black ominus vehicle carrying the flag draped coffin stopped in its spot as it had done so many times before. On command we turned and marched to the rear of the vehicle and waited for the coffin to be readied for its removal. Finally it was time. One by one we bent and slid our hands along the railing and together we removed the coffin from the vehicle and slowly lifted it. The long walk would now begin. We turned and with each step we took we moved closer to the bed that had been prepared in this hallowed ground for this fallen heroe of our nation. There he would rest, surrounded by the many others that had given their lives so others could remain free. We were at the grave site and as we lowered the coffin onto its stand I looked down into the grave, thinking how cold and deep it was. Cold to me yes but comforting to the soldier that would call it home from then on, knowing that his country praised him for his sacrifice. The gathering was seated and we stood in silence as a preist stepped up and said a solemn prayer over the soldier that laid before us. The air was then filled with the sound of a lone bugler, standing on a distant knoll of green, the sound of Taps rang out loud and clear, telling those around that another hero had fallen and was being remembered. I listened as the discharge of weapons was done with precision and honor, paying their respects. Suddenly the sun came out and shown bright, cascading down upon all of us as if God was reaching out to accept this soul and welcoming it into the heavens where he would rest forever. The final note was heard and we lifted the flag from the coffin an in silence slowly folding it. Soon in my hands was a three cornered flag that had itself honored a fallen comrade, soldier, hero and loved one. I turned and walked a lonely path to the family area, stopping in front of a woman dressed in black. I looked down at her and saw the path that many tears, she had tried to control, had left down her cheeks. Reaching out I met her awaiting trembling hands and placed the flag silently in hers. I could feel the trembling of her arms as our hands momentarily touched. I stepped back and saluted as I watched her clutch the flag to her chest and bow her head, uncontrollably crying tears that fell onto the red, white and blue cloth. I turned and walked silently away, knowing nothing I could say could give her comfort on this day. Our mission was complete and as one we turned and marched silently off into the distance and waited until the ceremony was complete before we disassembled. Another hero had been laid to rest by us that watched over these hallowed grounds each day. It was our mission, our way of paying tribute and giving thanks to heroes that came to us from all walks of life. I looked over my shoulder one last time as we left the rolling green blanket with its numerous white stones. I now sit in front of my locker once again and there I place my head in my hands and tears fill my palms. Was I crying because I was weak? No! I cried because with each hero I honored a part of me rested with them and will forever. I wore the uniform of my country but they gave their life for the uniform they wore and for their country, something I respected and cherished deeply. Finally composing myself I stood and closed my locker, turned to the others that still lingered there and said, "They came home to us, not as we wanted or would have liked but they are home now." With that we all nodded and I walked out of the room, ending a day crammed full of feelings. (C) Tall Mountain Dreamer April 1, 2007
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