A Day to Reflect - a personal story of my own
It’s Veteran’s day, and I won’t cheapen it with a feeble effort and some patriotic platitudes. Rather I will attempt to express something from my own experience and from my own heart.
I would like to share with you a personal story of an opportunity I had while serving a 4 year active duty enlistment with the 3rd Ranger Battalion at Ft. Benning Georgia. I also got to serve a short stint with the 10th Mountain Division while at Benning. Part of my service included being assigned to the dreaded “Funeral Detail” Which I was informed would be a mostly boring assignment to honor recently deceased veterans. The funeral detail was a 30 day duty assignment where I would be in charge of the seven man team who did the 21 gun salute, during the funeral services of any active or retired serviceman who passed away within a 2-3 hour driving radius of our post. Also assigned to our detail was a service man to play Taps, and the crew assigned to carry the deceased veterans casket and attend to the folding of the flag from his casket and passing it to the spouse or next of kin.
I cannot think of any other assignment or duty I performed during my enlistment that was as personally rewarding to me as this one. The absolute depth of humility and gratitude I felt for these men, whom I did not know, was surprising to me then as a young and mostly immature soldier. But my knowing them did not seem to be important…knowing that they had sworn to “uphold and protect”, that they had worn the uniform of a soldier, that they had been willing to put their life in harms way for a cause greater than themselves, seemed to be more than enough. I remember clearly the intense feelings that came to myself and my squad each time the sound of Taps reached through our ears to our hearts, each time the shots rang out, and each time our sacred flag was folded with reverence and respect. It seemed during those moments that the soldier we honored that day was some revered national hero, someone whom had single handedly won the day. As if the soldiers we honored at those services somehow represented every soldier who had every fought in or been to battle… the presence or sense that I felt during those sacred moments was if there were literally thousands of soldiers there at that moment, coming to pay their respects, to give reverence and honor to one of their own. On the sometimes long and mostly quite bus rides back to base as I reflected on the feelings of the day…I could easily imagine the deceased whom we had honored being welcomed from this life into the next by the Warriors and Soldiers of yesterday’s battles into a Army of with perhaps a different uniform, maybe a different commanding officer and weapons…but still fighting for the same cause…. A cause of Justice a cause of Mercy, Be-Cause of Freedom.
The fanciful romantic musings of a young Christian soldier?…Maybe so. One thing is for certain though…Funeral Detail was anything but mostly boring and honoring veterans dead or alive is no singular activity. Honoring one is honoring all, honoring all is honoring the one. Today I will find at least one veteran, I will thank him for what they have done, what they were willing to do, what he/she is doing right now and what they may be asked to do tomorrow. My experience on that funeral detail taught me anything it taught me that honoring one….truly can be honoring all…and in honoring them all we miss not a one.
God Bless America and the Soldiers Who’ve Fought for Freedom Kirk Weisler, Former Sgt, 3rd Ranger Bn. , 10th Mtn Division, 19th Special Forces
Hooah and thank you!
November 11th, 2008 at 9:36 am
[…] The funeral detail was a 30 day duty assignment where I would be in charge of the seven man team who did the 21 gun salute, during the funeral services of any active or retired serviceman who passed away within a 2-3 hour driving radius … Read more […]
November 11th, 2008 at 9:58 am
Thank you, Kirk, for your service, and for honoring those who have passed.
November 11th, 2008 at 10:18 am
Thank you Kirk. After reading your post I shed a tear as my father passed away last year and you recalled the event well. My mother and I was so honored to have this performed at his funeral and it was very emotional to us when TAPS was played. Again thank you on behalf of my father and all Veterans!
November 11th, 2008 at 10:28 am
Thank you for your inspirationl message Kirk. It is with a thankful and understanding heart that I reply to your message. I am moved to tears at the thought of these men and women risking their lives for me.
My dad had a military funeral two years ago this January at the age of 80. He had been a 17 year old soldier during WWII. This experience was to influence him for the rest of his life and I must say for the better.
With snow beginning to fall as taps was played I couldn’t help but be so proud of him and think how much he would have liked his services.
GOD BLESS AMERICA AND OUR MILITARY MEN AND WOMEN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
November 11th, 2008 at 10:29 am
Kirk:
What an emotional and uplifting tribute to America’s heroes. As you so graciously wrote, “Honoring one is honoring all, honoring all is honoring the one.” God bless you and God bless America!
November 11th, 2008 at 10:37 am
Thank you Kirk for your service. As I read your note I thought of those veterans that have crossed my path who were honored with a military funeral.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:19 am
Thank you so much Kirk for this entry. I rememberd my father’s funeral when TAPS was played. My dad played the trumpet and growing up I’d heard it many times. In fact when he joined the serivce during WWII he hoped to go to Europe as his brothers had. Instead he stayed in Florida. One of his duties was to ride around the complex in the morning and play Revalie (sp) and then again at night and play Taps. I’ll never hear that song without thinking of my dad and all those that served and continue to serve our country. I’ve had brothers and nephews serve and I’m so thankful for the freedom’s we have. God Bless America!!
November 11th, 2008 at 11:31 am
Thank you for your caring and respect.
My father passed away a few years ago. He was a veteran. I cannot tell you what it meant to see the honor and respect in the eyes of the servicemen who were there to commemorate his passing. When the folded the flag and placed it in my hands while telling me something… I don’t remember the words, but I remember the tone and the fact that the young man looked me right in the eyes and meant every word… that moment allowed me to finaly cry and embrace the memories and emotions that were abundant at that moment - a moment that I thought would be horrible turned out to be inspiring and freeing.
Thank you and all like you who perform this duty.
November 11th, 2008 at 11:57 am
Kirk your account of your memories on the funeral detail brings me back to a little less than a year ago when one of our distant cousins came home to rest. He was an only child–and his mother and family had filled his life with an appreciation for the freedoms that America provides all. Coming from a large family, the services were held in the gymnasium at our local high school. Later, several adults commented how moving it was for them to see my 22 yr. old son weep for his fallen cousin and friend. During the visitation and funeral, I went up to the young Marines who were assigned the duty and honor to stand at guard to thank them for their presence at our cousin’s funeral. Rest in peace, Lance Corporal Allen Roberts–your death honors those who came before you and who will come after you. And thanks for sharing this poignant memory, Kirk!
November 11th, 2008 at 12:42 pm
This past March my grandfather passed away and I witnessed for the first time a veterans funeral. It was cold out and windy. There were cousins, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, sons and daughters….and my grandmother, so small and frail and wheelchair bound. We listened to the sound of those rifles firing in three volleys and the bugler playing taps, the notes piercing over the cold wind. And finally as that tall slim soldier towering over my grandmother knelt down and handed her the carefully folded flag.
They had just celebrated 67 years of being married 3 months earlier. You see, in December 1941 my grandfather volunteered and enlisted into the Army. For three years he was trained and he in turn trained others to fight for our cause and for our country. In June 1944 the culmination of all this training would be tested. He was a Sgt. 1st Class in the 101st Airborne Gliders. And on that day he and his men would land in that wooden glider in a field in France just west of Bastogne. They would secure that area for the safety of paratroopers and move southwest torward Bastogne and it was there that he was wounded while taking a forward position to investigate the source of enemy fire.
He came back home a few months later to meet his son who was about 3 months old. And he would continue build his family. He served his country firstly by making that personal physical sacrifice. And secondly by being a patient and kind husband, father and grandfather and instilling in us a love and respect for our country and also a strong work ethic. Perhaps his experiences made him deeply realize at a young age the importance of treasuring our time and not sweating over the small things.
So on this day especially, Sgt. James Thomas Mills II is my hero.
November 11th, 2008 at 5:00 pm
Wow! I have tears in my eyes as I write this, but I just had to write to say thank you, Kirk, for the eloquent reminder of what our soldiers (past and present) have sacrificed for each and everyone of us.
November 12th, 2008 at 7:51 am
Hey Kirk! This was a LOVELY and FITTING message for today. THANK YOU! Let me thank YOU also as a Veteran . . .you have my love, respect and admiration. I enjoy your website. . .I don’t read it EVERY day. . .but MOST days. . .and it is very worthwhile. . . .Thanks again!
Smiles,
Ann Richardson
November 12th, 2008 at 7:52 am
Kirk
Thank you for this beautiful reflection - I too am a Veteran (United States Air Force Staff Sergeant). I too, was given an opportunity to serve on a detail, that most thought was terrible. It was during the time that the traveling Vietnam Vets Wall made it’s way throughout our country. I was privileged to help loved ones find their family members names on the “traveling wall”. I will never forget the way it made me feel if we were having trouble finding the name (sort of a desperate feeling). And then, I’ll never forget the feeling of gratification and “closure” as I escorted a loved one to the site on the wall where the military members name was inscribed. It was gut wrenching to see the loss and pain as wives, mothers, fathers, sons or daugthter’s gently reached up and caressed the name of their dearly departed - BUT WHAT AN HONOR TO SERVE IN THIS WAY!
This morning, I had a similar experience. I serve breakfast once a month to a group of men from a local Vet’s Home. These are men (young and old) who are not able to live independently - they were so gracious this morning and thanked us profusely for honoring them on this day. Somehow, I think the Biscuits & Gravy we served must have tasted better because we recognized their service. If only we had more hallowed moments like these!
Former SSgt Malinda S. Patch-Gray
AETC Surgeon General’s Office - Randolph Air Force Base, Texas
November 12th, 2008 at 7:52 am
What a wonderful tribute Kirk…..AND HAPPY VETERANS DAY TO YOU FOR YOUR SERVICE TO DEFEND THE RIGHTS OF THIS GREAT COUNTRY OF OURS.
My grandson served two tours of duty in Iraq, coming home about 3 months early in his second TOD. He suffers from PTSD, TBI, neck and back injuries, some loss of hearing, and radiation exposure. His job was to dig up the IED’s we all hear so much about. He took about 200 smaller hits, 8 big ones and the last big hit is the one that did the most damage. Cumulative hits did the damage. He is slowly trying to rebuild his life…..he is made of “good stuff” so I pray he will be alright. We love him so much.
Again, thanks for your service,……Patricia
November 12th, 2008 at 7:57 am
Can’t begin to tell you how much this one meant to me today as I sit here with tears rolling down my face writing this email.
My Dad was a bombardier on a B-24 in the Pacific theatre in WWII, part of Tom Brokaw’s “Greatest Generation†that saved the world from darkness.
He was shot down twice, survived both of them, the story that sticks best with me was one of burying one of the crew who didn’t make it on some small Pacific island, maybe Truk or Kwajelin, the honor and sadness he felt over the death of a fellow freedom fighter.
Two years ago The Collings Foundation ( http://www.collingsfoundation.org/menu.htm )flew their restored B-24 into Bozeman and my oldest son & I had the privilege of taking a trip back in time to experience firsthand what it was like, an experience neither of us will ever forget.
My Dad passed away five years ago, it was both a privilege and an honor to have the 21 gun salute nearly sixty years later to honor his sacrifice and that of every other patriot that puts their life on the line in order that we here at home can enjoy the freedom our forefathers set out for us.
Thanks for your part in carrying on the tradition and for sharing,
Rob
November 12th, 2008 at 3:31 pm
[…] Thank you for all the many wonderful comments and responses to yesterday’s “T4D” Thought 4 the Day…. your stories were amazing. […]
November 12th, 2008 at 5:32 pm
Kirk
Thanks for sharing your story. My Mom and Dad are both gone, and unfortunately did not live to see the WWII memorial completed. they were quiet hero’s both in the war and in the rest of their lives, but certainly helped make this country great and did their part to keep it FREE. Mom was in the Navy for three years and Dad in the Army/Air Corps for five years during the heaviest fighting of WWII. I am sorry that so many businesses and government organizations do not celebrate Veteran’s Day any more because so many other holidays have been added to the calendar. Maybe your message will help all of us remember that this is in deed one of the most important holidays we celebrate.
Thank You.
Jim Rutledge (US Army, 1969-71)
November 12th, 2008 at 6:14 pm
Thank you, Kirk, for your service and for the very moving message you posted on Veteran’s Day. It reminded me of my 17 year old daughter’s poem that she wrote about her experience playing Echo to Taps at the military funeral of my sister-in-law’s father earlier this year. He was a WWII vet who had also played Taps at many military funerals in his lifetime.
The fog was very thick that day. Visibility was just a few hundred yards. The cemetery was across the street from the public school, but we coudn’t see it. The kids were let out for recess just as the gravesite rites started. So we could hear children laughing and playing in the background as we watched from a short distance from the gravesite for her “echo” to be more effective. Here’s what she wrote:
Ode to Life and the Hereafter by Teresa Reinhart, age 17, February 4, 2008
Quiet,
Mysterious,
Wonderful,
Joyous,
Sad,
Tears
Those sad tears of the living
For the dead do not cry.
Only those that must go on!
But in these moments there is also joy.
At the graveside
The fog rolls thick
Barely visible
But still there
That reminder
Of what will someday come to pass
While the graveyard stays silent
Voices are heard in the distance.
Children frolic, voices ringing loud and clear into the silence
Not knowing
Not caring,
And yet, it seems to those in mourning
As though the one they grieve
has just opened the gates to Heaven
And the living are listening to his passage -
His children ready to greet him.
A military man –
One shot
Then another…
One bugle …
A quiet answer
… as though their loved one
has taken up their mourning call
And wants the living to realize
he’s okay,
And is in that happy place.
He is telling them
That there is joy,
Music,
Laughter,
Singing,
Peace.
And no matter what happens,
He loves them,
And he will greet them when they come.
No more tears of sorrow will fall.
Only those
Of eternal
Happiness.
November 12th, 2008 at 6:47 pm
Kirk,
Thank you for sharing your thoughts and words. I just returned from a ASTD Conference in Arlington, VA and had the privilege of visiting Arlington Cementary. In our day to day lives, we tend to take the service and the deaths of those who are putting their lives on the line to protect us for granted.
My recent visit to Arlington and your words have brought my consciousness to a higher level which I will strive never to allow to lessen again.
Thank you,
Cynthia