FORT SILL, Okla.--Monday, as many people at Fort Sill honored American servicemembers past and present with a Memorial Day ceremony at the post flag pole, Bill Davis, commander of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 5263 in Lawton asked are we forgetting our heroes who gave their lives so that we may enjoy freedom and liberty in this country.
At first I said no. Who could forget the horrible deeds of 9/11, the loss of thousands of civilians not only from this country but many countries worldwide. Likewise, who could forget the nearly 5,500 servicemembers killed in operations Iraqi Freedom and Enduring Freedom.
But, later in the day I had a moment to pause and consider otherwise.
Leaving the post exchange with a quick meal, I had no sooner stepped outside the refreshing, air-conditioned interior when I heard the first notes of retreat echo off surrounding buildings. In that moment it hit me again are we forgetting or remembering those who gave their lives for their country and those who continue to face the powers of oppression and terrorism around the world. As surely as that music was playing for daily retreat, it too played for those servicemembers past and present I just mentioned.
My Air Force training brought me to the position of parade rest as retreat sounded. In the pause between music, I came to attention and placed my right hand over my heart as "To the Color" played. For a brief instant I looked around the parking lot and beheld people young and old standing quietly paying their respects. In some ways Memorial Day is like any other day on a military installation as reveille and retreat sound as reminders of our profession of arms.
Unfortunately, this day was just like other days for even as I found myself standing in the sun-baked concrete square before a cooling oasis, I heard and saw what could have been a Soldier exclaim "oh no!" and duck back inside to wait for the inconvenience of the ceremony to pass. Of all days to think of self before service, I think Memorial Day has to be about the furthest from that ideal.
The day could have ended there but returning to my work center to file an article for this week's newspaper I came upon hope for the future and what I call the best actions of Soldiers. Twenty basic combat training Soldiers from C Battery, 1st Battalion, 40th Field Artillery stood at attention grasping the enormous 20-by-38-foot American flag between them as they prepared to properly fold it. From private to specialist; male and female; black, white and all colors in between; Soldiers with names like Bird, Cazares, Beasley, Almeida and Carpenter painstakingly primped and smoothed this colossal symbol of all that is good in this country. Step by step the flag was folded. Soldiers no longer holding the flag returned to attention as the lengthy red-and-white striped fabric diminished in size.
As Drill Sergeant (Sgt. 1st Class) Elocious Frazier guided and supervised the folding, the Soldiers reduced the ponderous rectangle to a neat and orderly triangle ready for display the next time a ceremony or special occasion called for its ascend up the flag pole.
In less than an hour, I saw all that is good about the Army and some that doesn't quite measure up. Who knows what was going through the mind of that young man. Perhaps the ravages of war, the loss of a comrade, maybe just the stress of ordinary life caused a temporary hiccup from how he might normally act. I certainly can't cast the first stone for when I was young I too made bad choices and ducked retreat. Fortunately, with age comes wisdom and an appreciation for the sacrifices servicemembers continue to make on my behalf.
Let's remember the sacrifices of others not just on the special days, but every day.
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