Pride and Reverence

Flags unfurled during the Aisle of Honor service, Vaughn Cemetery, May 29.

As we make our way to town to shop, or to school, or hang out at the park, we frequently see military aircraft flying overhead. Navy, Air Force and Army have bases and posts near here. Ours has been a military family, though I didn't grow up a military brat. Uncles, aunts, and cousins have served and still serve.
I was humbled this weekend.
One of the communities close to ours holds a service every Memorial Day for our veterans of all wars. It is one of the most spectacular sights. There are 290 casket flags set in the ground. For me, the size of those flags and the number was overwhelming.

Chuck was one of six who called the roll of fallen veterans
Each speaker had a notebook with pages filled with the names,
branch of service and if they served in a war, the war in which they served.

Chuck was asked to be a speaker at the service this year to read a portion of the 360 names of the veterans those flags represent.
Some families choose to have one flag for several family members who served. The names are read, along with their branch and the war in which they served. Some dated to the Civil War, and the Spanish-American War.
The photos of this place don't do it justice. It is beyond description to see the huge flags lining the cemetery, fully unfurled.
Gray skies and wind provided a crisp day, but the flags were beautiful. The cotton flags are the most vibrant. Some of them are nylon, and I much prefer the cotton flags.

One of the bagpipers who played
during the service.

Leading up to the Memorial Day weekend I had been trying to decide how to cover an event in a neighboring city. The Gig Harbor Fire Department was bringing back a piece of the World Trade Center May 30. I got word that our fire department was going to be in the escort, so I sent a photographer to cover it for us.
I was hoping I could be there, but had to attend an emergency meeting just when the ceremony was scheduled to begin at the station headquarters.
I was, as usual, a little late getting out the door. I had hoped to leave the house by 2:30 to make it to my meeting at 3 p.m. I got out the door and realized I had forgotten something in the house, so came back in to get it. This put me about five minutes behind schedule.
As I approached the Tacoma Narrows Bridge I saw the procession coming toward me. I was so glad I had been delayed. If I had left the house on time I would have missed it.
I didn't get photos, but our photographer did. You can view them here.