Thanks For Your Service, Ladies and Gents
May 28, 2007 on 12:44 pm | In Main, Scenic Photos |
This was the gun salute at the Salisbury Town Cemetery this morning. I recognize three of the vets. At far left, that’s Selectman Peter Oliver, who served as a Marine Corp sniper in Vietnam. In the center is Jimmy Burns, who also served in the Marines. And in the sailor’s unform is Navy veteran Jason McGarry. The salute is followed immediately by the playing of Taps, which always reduces me to tears.
It never ceases to amaze me that this is the one event of the year that brings almost everyone in the town out of the woodwork. Maybe that’s because (whether you be left, right, center or on Mars) honoring sacrifice is one of those traditions we can all agree on.
To all those who served their country and died for it — not only soldiers, but police, emergency responders and members of the intelligence and diplomatic communites — you have my deepest gratitude.
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Just got back from filming the Sharon Parade and service at the Memorial.
Wow, that all I can say.
Every year, I am moved almost to tears to see these brave men and women, who defended our way of life, shrinking in numbers. Its terriffic to see that the turnout in Sharon, is like Salisbury..lagre, always a bigh turnout, but this year it even seemed like more people came. The crowd was intergenerational, and more importantly, truly grateful.
Its not only the parade, this crowd follows to the monument in Sharon, and stays for the entire service.
Its days like this, that reinvigerate me to want to do better, to see our country regain its direction, to not let down the men and women who have given us all a chance to enjoy the liberties and freedom that more and more people seem to take for granted.
Bless them all. The ones who gave their lives, the ones who served, adn the ones who continue to serve.
In Sharon, they unveiled a new flag this year…its about three times the size of the one it replaced. Even at half staff, on a day like today, I see that myself and the crowd around me stood a little taller afer the ceremonies.
A big thank you to our soldiers of today, and yesterday, adn tomorrow you will always have my respect, admiration, and prayers.
Comment by Marshall Miles — May 28, 2007 #
Spent the morning, from 0600 till 1130 hrs, traipsing around Canaan and North Canaan, with a smaller than usual group of vets. One had knee replacement, one is in Bragg getting medical treatment for an IED that sent his humvee airborne, and some just are a bit too old to do this. However, Angelo Bagnaschi of North Canaan celebrated his 38th honor guard since his return.
Why? My son replaced the late Mark Mittaud as the bugler. He plays trumpet, but, I digress. Steven has been doing this since he was in 6th grade. Nice way to rise early.
Comment by Paul Bartomioli — May 31, 2007 #