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Drac · Senior Member

Memorial Day at Dallas National Cemetery

Drac · Senior Member

After the ceremony Gold Star guests were allowed to come pick up the roses from their deceased family member. All others were given a "water burial." I was honored to be allowed to preform this for the Sailors who died -

Here are the roses as they drift along -

Here are some pictures from around the cemetery.

At the main building -

The true meaning of Memorial Day and the full price of freedom. I have been to several National Cemeteries and they are always juxtaposition of joy and sorrow, pride and loss -

It wasn't all solemn. Here are a couple general pics.

I was VERY honored to meet a Medal of Honor recipient. Over the years of doing Color and Honor Guard I have had several opportunities to meet such living heroes but each one never fails humble and impress. Meeting men like him always makes me feel like a slacker -

Damn!!!!! -

And of course I did not leave out the kilt content. Here is a shot of the piper -

Jim

Drac · Senior Member

From an historian on another forum -

The poem shown above, The Bivouac of the Dead, while commonly associated with the Civil War due to its frequent use at National Cemeteries, is actually a tribute to soldiers of the Mexican War by its author, Theodore O'Hara, who served with the 2nd Kentucky Volunteers at the Battle of Buena Vista in February, 1847:

The muffled drum's sad roll has beat
The soldier's last tattoo;
No more on Life's parade shall meet
That brave and fallen few.

On Fame's eternal camping-ground
Their silent tents are spread;
And Glory guards, with solemn round,
The bivouac of the dead.

No rumor of the foe's advance
Now swells upon the wind;
No troubled thought at midnight haunts
Of loved ones left behind.

No vision of the morrow's strife
the warrior's dream alarms;
No braying horn nor screaming fife
At dawn shall call to arms.

Their shivered swords are red with rust,
Their plumed heads are bowed;
Their haughty banner, trailed with dust,
Is now their martial shroud.

And plenteous funeral tears have washed
The red stains from each brow;
And the proud forms, by battle gashed,
Are free from anguish now.

'Twas in that hour his stern command
Called to many a martyr's grave;
The flower of his beloved land,
The nation's flag to save.

Knockdow · Guru

Drac
very impressive ceremony. Thanks for posting

Luckey · Michigan State Commissioner - CLSNA

Thank you Drac. A ceremony like that really brings it home. Thanks and respect for all especially the Medal of Honor recipient.

Wood Badger · Senior Member

Jim,
Thank you for the poem, and Thank you for your service to this Nation. I too did some time honoring the veterans here in Wisconsin, as a member of the American Legion, I helped out with our Memorial Day Parade that concluded with a ceremoney at our VFW's memorial to those from Sun Prairie who "Gave all".

Thank you again from a Vietnam Veteran to you and those who are serving now.

Dulcimer Dude · Veteran Member

I was honored to help our veterans here in Ringgold place 862 flags for all the veterans of Catoosa County Georgia that have died either in battle or of peaceful means.It's impressive when you drive under the tressle at the depot and come to main street and see a sea of red,white and blue waving in the breeze. God Bless our veterans. I never served but my oldest son did in Iraq and Afghanistan. He is still in a Reserve Unit in Chattanooga,Tennessee.I agree totally,it's more than BBQ and Sales. Long live the USA...Freedom isn't FREE!!