Going with the Garcias

At an early age, Thomas and I both were taught patriotism. Thomas grew up looking and admiring the Air Force emblems on his grandpa’s hat and jacket and often looked at photos of his Mom helping load a C-130. Three of my siblings served in our nation’s great miliary, as well as uncles and grandpa. As you can imagine, our love of the U.S. runs deep.

On our fourth anniversary trip, Thomas and I decided to splurge and go to Washington D.C. Our trip included cramming in as many Smithsonian museums as possible and making a trip to Arlington National Cemetery (and a side trip to Pittsburgh to see our family there).

I had always wanted to go to D.C. I was overjoyed that we were going, and I could finally cross this off my bucket list. (My middle school normally planned a trip for the 7th and 8th graders to visit, but both years our trip was cancelled or rescheduled to another destination due to the tragic events of 9/11.)

We plan to write a more detailed post on the trip overall, as it was a great trip and, at that point, the furthest we had been from home. We learned a lot. But for this post, I want to focus on our visit to Arlington National Cemetery.

Take a moment to step into my shoes. My sister, whom I love dearly, had already completed her first tour in the sandbox and had made it back home to us, which I was very grateful for. I am very aware how lucky we are that she made it back. Not all families are that lucky.

As we got off the subway, we walked to Arlington. We watched the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. We saw the headstones, saw the flags, the wreaths, the folks sitting at the headstones crying and missing their loved ones.

But what I will never forget and brings me to tears even to this day, was seeing the burial of a soldier who wasn’t as lucky as my sister. The soldier’s casket, draped with our beautiful flag, was brought through the paths via a horse drawn wagon. Other soldiers were near the wagon, walking alongside. You could have cut the somberness in the air with a knife. Seeing the beginning of the ceremony hit too close to home. It hurt. (We did not take photos of this as it just felt like it could be a private moment for that soldier and his family.)

The reason this memory is being shared today is because today (as I write this post) we are celebrating Memorial Day. This holiday for most marks the beginning of summer and is often spent at the beach or in the backyard barbequing. And while breaks from work are great, that’s not the reason we have today off of work. Today we stop and remember those servicemen and women who gave their lives so we all could have our freedoms. They gave their life so we could each have our own thoughts and opinions and not have to hide them in fear because they are different from our neighbor or governing body. Today I encourage you to remember and honor our fallen heroes. Without their bravery and sacrifice, we would be in a much different world.

“Our flag does not fly because the wind moves it. It flies with the last breath of each soldier who died protecting it.” –Unknown