There are days when you see or hear something that puts life
in perspective and today was one of those days. The picture is a little grainy because I took this with my
phone as my plane was taxiing at the Atlanta airport this morning, but
hopefully you can see what is happening in it.
What drew my attention to the scene was the ground crew
practicing how to hold and raise the flags. There was an
American flag, a U.S. Marine Corp flag, a POW flag, and another one I did not
recognize that I probably should know.
Then I saw the two pilots walk over and stand next to the ramp, and then
a cart shaped as a casket with an American flag arrived. The flagholders marched over as if they
were or are in the military, raised the flags as the pilots went into a salute. As I watched this
scene, it was hard not to get emotional.
Another person gave their life serving this country and most likely
while trying to help another.
Gratitude comes to mind, for those who now serve and have served,
whether they be alive or have passed on.
They don’t have to do what they do, it is a choice…and even if we may
not agree with their reasons for joining the military, I’m grateful there are
people willing to do so. Gratitude
for people like my dad, who did not serve in the military, but worked with the
military to create and design systems to protect our troops and this
country.
Another emotion that struck me…sadness and empathy. Someone today is mourning the loss of a
loved one, most likely an unexpected loss. Six years ago today, I, too, mourned the loss of a
loved one, my dad, who passed away unexpectedly. The memory and feelings of that day are so vivid, like it was yesterday…a
feeling that seems to go away with time, but around July 1 is always the
strongest. This afternoon, I will
be the last one in my family to arrive in California so we can spend today and
the rest of this week together as a family. I am listening to my dad’s funeral on the plane, and
something mentioned by those who spoke who are not members of our family, is
how much my dad loved his family.
The best way we can honor and remember him is by being together. So I am grateful that I have the
opportunity to be with them today.