|
06-03-2012, 04:47 PM
|
#1
|
Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,750
M.O.C. #7560
|
Cemetery Watchman
Cemetery Watchman ..
My friend Kevin and I are volunteers at a National cemetery in Oklahoma and put in a few days each month in uniform.
Today had been a long, long day and I just wanted to get the day over with and go down to Smokey's and have a cold one. Sneaking a look at my watch, I saw the time, 16:55. Five minutes to go before the cemetery gates are closed for the day. Full dress was hot in the August sun Oklahoma summertime was as bad as ever--the heat and humidity at the same level--both too high.
I saw the car pull into the drive, '69 or '70 model Cadillac Deville, looked factory-new. It pulled into the parking lot at a snail's pace.. An old woman got out so slow I thought she was paralyzed; she had a cane and a sheaf of flowers--about four or five bunches as best I could tell.
I couldn't help myself. The thought came unwanted, and left a slightly bitter taste: 'She's going to spend an hour, and for this old soldier, my hip hurts like hell and I'm ready to get out of here right now!' But for this day, my duty was to assist anyone coming in.
Kevin would lock the 'In' gate and if I could hurry the old biddy along, we might make it to Smokey's in time.
I broke post attention. My hip made gritty noises when I too k the first step and the pain went up a notch. I must have made a real military sight: middle-aged man with a small pot gut and half a limp, in marine full-dress uniform, which had lost its razor crease about thirty minutes after I began the watch at the cemetery.
I stopped in front of her, halfway up the walk. She looked up at me with an old woman's squint.
'Ma'am, may I assist you in any way?'
She took long enough to answer.
'Yes, son. Can you carry these flowers? I seem to be moving a tad slow these days.'
'My pleasure, ma'am.' (Well, it wasn't too much of a lie.)
She looked again. 'Marine, where were you stationed?'
' Vietnam, ma'am.. Ground-pounder. '69 to '71.'
She looked at me closer. 'Wounded in action, I see. Well done, Marine. I'll be as quick as I can.'
I lied a little bigger: 'No hurry, ma'am.'
She smiled and winked at me. 'Son, I'm 85-years-old and I can tell a lie from a long way off.. Let's get this done. Might be the last time I can do this. My name's Joanne Wieserman, and I've a few Marines I'd like to see one more time..'
'Yes, ma 'am. At your service.'
She headed for the World War I section, stopping at a stone. She picked one of the flower bunches out of my arm and laid it on top of the stone. She murmured something I couldn't quite make out.. The name on the marble was Donald S. Davidson, USMC: France 1918.
She turned away and made a straight line for the World War II section, stopping at one stone. I saw a tear slowly tracking its way down her cheek. She put a bunch on a stone; the name was Stephen X.Davidson, USMC, 1943.
She went up the row a ways and laid another bunch on a stone, Stanley J. Wieserman, USMC, 1944..
She paused for a second and more tears flowed. 'Two more, son, and we'll be done'
I almost didn't say anything, but, 'Yes, ma'am. Take your time.'
She looked confused.. 'Where's the Vietnam section, son? I seem to have lost my way.'
I pointed with my chin. 'That way, ma'am.'
'Oh!' she chuckled quietly. 'Son, me and old age ain't too friendly..'
She headed down the walk I'd pointed at. She stopped at a couple of stones before she found the ones she wanted. She placed a bunch on Larry Wieserman, USMC, 1968, and the last on Darrel Wieserman, USMC, 1970. She stood there and murmured a few words I still couldn't make out and more tears flowed.
'OK, son, I'm finished. Get me back to my car and you can go home.'
Yes, ma'am. If I may ask, were those your kinfolk?'
She paused. 'Yes, Donald Davidson was my father, Stephen was my uncle, Stanley was my husband,Larry and Darrel were our sons. All killed in action, all Marines.'
She stopped! Whether she had finished, or couldn't finish, I don't know. She made her way to her car, slowly and painfully.
I waited for a polite distance to come between us and then double-timed it over to Kevin, waiting by the car.
'Get to the 'Out' gate quick.. I have something I've got to do.'
Kevin started to say something, but saw the look I gave him. He broke the rules to get us there down the service road fast. We beat her. She hadn't made it around the rotunda yet.
'Kevin, stand at attention next to the gatepost. Follow my lead.' I humped it across the drive to the other post
When the Cadillac came puttering around from the hedges and began the short straight traverse to the gate, I called in my best gunny's voice: 'TehenHut! Present Haaaarms!'
I have to hand it to Kevin; he never blinked an eye--full dress attention and a salute that would make his DI proud.
She drove through that gate with two old worn-out soldiers giving her a send-off she deserved, for service rendered to her country, and for knowing duty, honor and sacrifice far beyond the realm of most.
I am not sure, but I think I saw a salute returned from that Cadillac.
Instead of 'The End,' just think of 'Taps.'
As a final thought on my part, let me share a favorite prayer: 'Lord, keep our servicemen and women safe, whether they serve at home or overseas. Hold them in your loving hands and protect them as they protect us.'
Let's all keep those currently serving and those who have gone before in our thoughts. They are the reason for the many freedoms we enjoy.
'In God We Trust.'
Sorry about your monitor; it made mine blurry too!
If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under!
|
|
|
06-03-2012, 05:22 PM
|
#2
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Dec 2008
Location: Houston
Posts: 157
M.O.C. #9011
|
Good read Rondo, good read.
|
|
|
06-03-2012, 05:32 PM
|
#3
|
Montana Master
Join Date: May 2011
Location: Fayetteville
Posts: 4,200
M.O.C. #11401
|
If you could see me, I would salute you Rondo. Welcome home brother. 67-68
|
|
|
06-03-2012, 06:13 PM
|
#4
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2002
Location: Rapid City
Posts: 739
M.O.C. #77
|
Now that is the kind of part time job I can handle. Thanks for the post.
|
|
|
06-03-2012, 08:34 PM
|
#5
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Aug 2011
Location: Vancouver
Posts: 1,284
M.O.C. #11675
|
Thanks for sharing that Ron.
And thank you for serving and continuing to volunteer as you do.
|
|
|
06-04-2012, 02:07 AM
|
#6
|
Montana Fan
Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: Garland
Posts: 450
M.O.C. #10688
|
Some Gave All - Billy Ray Cyrus
I knew a man called him Sandy Kane
Few folks even knew his name
But a hero was he
Left a boy, came back a man
Still many just don't understand
About the reasons we are free
I can't forget the look in his eyes
Or the tears he cries
As he said these words to me
All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all
Now Sandy Kane is no longer here
But his words are oh so clear
As they echo through out our land
For all his friends who gave us all
Who stood the ground and took the fall
To help their fellow man
Love your country and live with pride
And don't forget those who died America can't you see
All gave some and some gave all
And some stood through for the red, white and blue
And some had to fall
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall
Some gave all
And if you ever think of me
Think of all your liberties and recall, yes recall
Some gave all
Some gave all
|
|
|
06-04-2012, 02:52 AM
|
#7
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Oct 2006
Location: _
Posts: 5,238
M.O.C. #6337
|
Good one Ron, THANK YOU for sharing it.
|
|
|
06-04-2012, 09:25 AM
|
#8
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 908
M.O.C. #7915
|
Good story, but not true. Been making the internet rounds for several years.
|
|
|
06-04-2012, 11:47 AM
|
#9
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Sep 2004
Location: sioux falls
Posts: 1,835
M.O.C. #2121
|
True or not, made me cry.
|
|
|
06-04-2012, 03:50 PM
|
#10
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Dec 2011
Location: Roswell
Posts: 627
M.O.C. #12028
|
I have a son serving (10yrs, Navy) and this really hit a spot, thanks.
|
|
|
06-04-2012, 05:16 PM
|
#11
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2006
Location: South
Posts: 2,499
M.O.C. #5140
|
Made me cry, too!
|
|
|
06-04-2012, 05:23 PM
|
#12
|
Site Team
Join Date: Aug 2007
Location: Omaha
Posts: 6,750
M.O.C. #7560
|
Never said anything about it being true but just received it and thought it was worth posting on MOC since we have so many Veterans as members. Thanks to those that have served and are serving at the present time!
|
|
|
06-05-2012, 02:23 AM
|
#13
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Jan 2009
Location: Vermontville
Posts: 1,129
M.O.C. #9045
|
Gulp!!!!! Makes one think of our service men and women and all their sacrifices they give every day while we get in our RV's and go out and play.
Thank you to all our service personel for your service and my freedom!!
Thanks Rondo for your service and welcome home!
Dave
|
|
|
06-05-2012, 03:02 PM
|
#14
|
Montana Master
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: Atlanta
Posts: 908
M.O.C. #7915
|
Quote:
quote:Originally posted by Rondo
...Never said anything about it being true but just received it and thought it was worth posting...
|
My first thought when I read the comment above was why somebody would purposely put something in here that was not true. If you deliberately make a post that is not true, but is a good story, IMHO, a note at the start saying so would be appropriate and appreciated.
|
|
|
|
Posting Rules
|
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts
HTML code is Off
|
|
|
|
» Recent Threads |
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|