I had just finished shopping in the local supermarket. A few high clouds and a brisk breeze. Perfect day for March but this was the middle of April.
I rounded a large turn and there is a small rural cemetery to my right. Usually empty but a black hearse stood out amongst the gray ground and barren trees. Looking closer I saw an Army soldier in his dress uniform. I was driving so that was all I caught with my eyes. I went another 200 yards and I realized I had to go back. I did and parked at the side of the road where a fence runs along to separate it from the cemetery. Got out and zipped up my jacket. Actually colder than summer in San Francisco. I saw the flag draped coffin. The flag was absolutely brilliant against a drab background. Then 25 feet beyond the casket I took a close look at the soldier. Bugle under his arm in a well fitted dress uniform. The shine from his shoes stood out even at this distance. He was standing to attention and though the wind was blowing smartly he was rock solid. I looked at the flag covered casket again. In this rather dismal weather beaten setting, the flag and the soldier were stark contrasts. Brilliant reds, strong blues, almost reflective on the white stripes. The soldier in his dress uniform was unwavering. My eyes kept going back and forth between the two and the barren gray cemetery faded into an obscure blur.
I walked up to the fence and zipped my jacket up all the way.. Not because of the chill but to somehow sharpen my appearance. When I reached the fence a woman appeared on the opposite side.
" If you are here for the service you have to walk around to get through", she said.
"No, no but thanks. I stopped because I see it's a veteran being buried and I only spotted the lone bugler."
"The service starts at noon and there is some family coming."
"OK, and thanks again", I said.
"You are a vet also right?", she asked.
"Yes, there was a time....but why would you suspect that?"
"I had a feeling, and you thought he was alone didn't you?"
" I did, I certainly did."
"He is not and thank you for your service."
I stepped back a few paces, came to attention, and snapped the best salute I could, and walked back to the car.
I had actually only gone out for hamburger rolls.
America can be, at times, an enlightening place at the strangest moments.
I rounded a large turn and there is a small rural cemetery to my right. Usually empty but a black hearse stood out amongst the gray ground and barren trees. Looking closer I saw an Army soldier in his dress uniform. I was driving so that was all I caught with my eyes. I went another 200 yards and I realized I had to go back. I did and parked at the side of the road where a fence runs along to separate it from the cemetery. Got out and zipped up my jacket. Actually colder than summer in San Francisco. I saw the flag draped coffin. The flag was absolutely brilliant against a drab background. Then 25 feet beyond the casket I took a close look at the soldier. Bugle under his arm in a well fitted dress uniform. The shine from his shoes stood out even at this distance. He was standing to attention and though the wind was blowing smartly he was rock solid. I looked at the flag covered casket again. In this rather dismal weather beaten setting, the flag and the soldier were stark contrasts. Brilliant reds, strong blues, almost reflective on the white stripes. The soldier in his dress uniform was unwavering. My eyes kept going back and forth between the two and the barren gray cemetery faded into an obscure blur.
I walked up to the fence and zipped my jacket up all the way.. Not because of the chill but to somehow sharpen my appearance. When I reached the fence a woman appeared on the opposite side.
" If you are here for the service you have to walk around to get through", she said.
"No, no but thanks. I stopped because I see it's a veteran being buried and I only spotted the lone bugler."
"The service starts at noon and there is some family coming."
"OK, and thanks again", I said.
"You are a vet also right?", she asked.
"Yes, there was a time....but why would you suspect that?"
"I had a feeling, and you thought he was alone didn't you?"
" I did, I certainly did."
"He is not and thank you for your service."
I stepped back a few paces, came to attention, and snapped the best salute I could, and walked back to the car.
I had actually only gone out for hamburger rolls.
America can be, at times, an enlightening place at the strangest moments.
