Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns

I was in the DC/Virginia area for a couple of weeks recently.  The more I visit there the more I wish I could live there for a few years because of all of the unique opportunities and events.

On Friday, March 15, 2013 I had the privilege of attending an Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath Ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknowns in Arlington National Cemetery.  Vice Chief of Defense Force of Australia, Air Marshall Mark Binskin (equivalent to a 3 Star General), laid the wreath.  Major General Michael S Linnington, Commander of the Joint Force Headquarters National Capitol Region, US Army Military District of Washington, escorted the Vice Chief.

Thanks to Major General Linnington, who I met just before the ceremony began, I had a fantastic place to stand and watch.  It was another cold and windy day in the DC/Virginia area but because it was spring break there was a huge crowd (mostly of high school students) present for the wreath laying.  I've been to several wreath laying ceremonies at Arlington.  They are all very moving but this one definitely had a lot of added pomp and circumstance.

Members of the Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force and Coast Guard gathered in front of the Tomb of the Unknowns.  Many people think that the front of the Tomb is the side they face when watching the Changing of the Guard or Wreath laying ceremonies when, actually the front of the Tomb faces away from the amphitheatre and towards Washington, DC.

Members of the five branches of our Armed Forces waiting for the ceremony to begin

 

The units march up the steps towards the Tomb of the Unknowns in order of the date (oldest to newest) that their branch of service was organized - Army, Marines, Navy, Air Force then Coast Guard.  The precision is impeccable.

Here they come

It is very moving to watch and listen as the Commanders of each group shout out orders to their men/women.  Finally they are all in place.

All in place

Then the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard moves into place

The Joint Armed Forces Color Guard is in place

After the Color Guard is in place the US Army Band, Pershing's Own, moves in.

US Army Band - Pershing's Own

The US Army Band plays our National Anthem followed by the National Anthem of the visiting nation - in the case Australia.

The Old Guard Presidential Salute Battery was there to fired their cannons to honor Vice Chief of Defense Force of Australia, Air Marshall Mark Binskin. The cannons begin to fire for his arrival to the cemetery, timing the rounds so that the first round was fired as he entered the cemetery and the last one went off as his vehicle stopped at the memorial amphitheater. An amazing feat of timing and precision because they fire a specified number of rounds. I cannot remember if it's 17 or 18 but I know it's somewhere around that number. They were thunderous for sure!

The Joint Armed Forces Color Guard moves back towards one side of the Tomb and is joined by the Sentinel with the wreath, a bugler and a drummer.  The bugler and drummer are members of the U. S Army Band, Pershing's Own.  It was very impressive to me to watch the Joint Armed Forces Color Guard as they moved with such precision while navigating intricate turns.

 

The members of the Official Party are brought down the steps and moved into place

Members of the Official Party are escorted into place

Once the Official Party is in place the visiting dignitary who will place the wreath along with his/her host then move down the steps followed by a Color Guard with the flag from the visiting nation.

MG Michael Linnington accompanies Vice Chief of Defense Force of Australia, Air Marshall Mark Binskin followed by the Australian Color Guard

 

Air Marshall Binskin, assisted by one of the Tomb Guards, placed the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns

Placing the wreath

And then renders honors

Vice Chief of Defense Force of Australia, Air Marshall Mark Binskin saluting

Vice Chief of Defense Force of Australia, Air Marshall Mark Binskin then moved back next to Major General Linnington and honors are rendered again.

The bugler plays TAPS while all military personnel in uniform salute and all others are encouraged to place their hands over their hearts.

TAPS

The visiting dignitary, Vice Chief of Defense Force of Australia, Air Marshall Mark Binskin, is escorted from the area by his host, Major General Linnington.

The Official Party leaves the area as the US Army Band leaves while playing and the members of the Armed Forces units march back down the steps.

I was incredibly proud to be an American that day.  Of course I am always proud to be an American.  But on that particular day, being able to see so many of our men and women in uniform, looking so sharp and and professional while representing us, was just extra special.  I honestly had no idea about the Armed Forces Full Honor Wreath Ceremony and am thankful to COL James Markert for inviting me to attend.

In the Farrier Shop with the Caisson Platoon of the 3d US Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard)

The Main Caisson Stable at Fort Myer, VA

The Caisson Platoon is one of the Specialty Platoons of HHC Company of The 3d U. S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) and is housed at Fort Myer in Virginia.  I recently visited friends at Fort Myer and was able to experience several events and opportunities for which I am so grateful.

Those of you who follow me on facebook know that for the past year I have been enamored with the horses of the Caisson Platoon.  I have posted many pictures on facebook of the horses - especially my favorite one, Sarge.  During my recent visit I stopped in the Caisson Stables several times.  The stables are open to the general public from 12:00 noon until 4:00 PM Tuesday through Sunday each week.  If you are in the DC/Virginia area or plan to be, you really should make time to visit the Caisson Stables.  The Soldiers of the Caisson Platoon are always willing to give you a tour and tell you about the history and legacy of the Platoon.  Plus you get to pet a lot of awesome horses.  If you have a group you need to schedule a tour well in advance.  You can do so by contacting  the Public Affairs Office.

The link to the Caisson Platoon's website hasn't been updated with the name of the new HHC Company Commander, CPT Walter Tompkins.  I first met CPT Tompkins and his wife when he was serving with the 173rd, 2-503d in Vicenza, Italy.  I was ecstatic to learn that he had taken Command of the Caisson Platoon.  It's such a small world.  

I know, I know, where are the pictures?  You all like pictures.  Well, hang on they are coming.

I plan to write more posts about The Old Guard in the future but this one is a bit of a "fun" one in my estimation.  I asked if I could watch as the farriers of The Caisson Platoon where shoeing horses and my request was granted.  I'm fairly certain I squealed like a school girl when I found out I was approved to do this.  I hardly slept the night before my visit.  As a matter of fact I baked tons of goodies for the Soldiers as a small token of my appreciation to them.  No goodies allowed for the horses - darn it.

On a Wednesday at 10:00 am I walked into the Caisson stables and stopped at the desk.  A couple of the guys I had met on prior visits greeted me and welcomed me back.  I told them I had come to watch the farriers shoe a horse so they took me to the farrier shop.

When I walked in the shop the farriers were already working on Trooper.  I introduced myself and quickly learned that The Old Guard has 63 horses and two farriers.  I took a seat to stay out of the way and began watching and asking questions.  Because I have such a love for the horses and a huge interest in all the honorable things the Soldiers do, I'm always asking a million questions when I go to the stables. I was thankful at how open both of the farriers were to my questions and thrilled at how interested they were in teaching me about what they do.

SPC Charles Morrison and SPC Jordan Hoffman are the current farriers.  SPC Hoffman is the newest of the farriers.  Neither of these men had any experience in shoeing horses when they came to The Old Guard.  They have learned, and as they told me, continue to learn on the job.  That was pretty amazing to me especially as I watch both of them skillfully complete their work.

I learned that SPC Morrison and Hoffman work together on each horse.  One takes care of the front hooves and one takes care of the back hooves.  By the time I had arrived SPC Hoffman had already taken the old shoes off of Trooper's front hooves.  SPC Morrison was about to begin the process of taking off the shoes on Trooper's rear hooves.

SPC Charles Morrison of The Old Guard Caisson Platoon removes one of Trooper's rear shoes

 

Still working on removing the shoe by taking out the nails.

Once the shoe is removed the farrier has to "clean" the bottom of the hoof taking great care not to irritate the sensitive areas of the hoof.  The picture below shows the hoof before it is "cleaned".

The hoof before it has been "cleaned"

 

Cleaning the hoof

 

SPC Morrison showing me the hoof after he finished "cleaning" it.

After the bottom of the hoof is cleaned it is trimmed.  I didn't get any photos of them trimming the hooves.  I'm not sure why I didn't do that but I can assure you those clippers are huge!

The shoeing process is not rapid paced.  As both SPC Morrison and SPC Hoffman told me, imagine standing on one leg for long periods of time.  While horses have four legs it is still tiring to them to have one leg up for long periods of time.  The farriers allow the horses to "rest" often during the shoeing process.  This, of course, gave me time for more questions.

There are two massive charts in the farrier shop.  One shows the last date each horse was shod.  The other shows who needs to be shod.  The farriers told me that some horses have "good" hooves and some have hooves that "aren't so good."  The horses with the "not so good" hooves have to be shod more often.  Generally speaking the horses are shod once every 4 to 6 weeks.  They told me that Trooper has really good hooves and very mannered when being shod.

SPC Hoffman and SPC Morrison shoe two or three horses a day.  It takes between one and a half hours and four hours to shoe a horse.  It takes much longer to shoe the larger horses such as Sarge and King.  It also takes longer to shoe horses who, unlike Trooper, don't have "good" hooves.

After Trooper had a few minutes to rest, SPC Hoffman, who had removed his front shoes prior to my arrival, began the process of replacing the front shoes by filing the hooves.

SPC Jordan Hoffman filing Troopers hoof

Continuing to file Trooper's front hoof

Finishing up the filing on one hoof

I was astonished at the amount of filings on the floor when SPC Hoffman finished filing one of Trooper's hooves.  There was a huge pile.

While SPC Hoffman was working on putting the shoes back on Trooper's front hooves, SPC Morrison was working to "repair" or "rebuild" the worn down parts of the rear shoes he had removed.  Each set of shoes is used two or three times before it is discarded.  I found that very interesting.  As much as I absolutely loved watching them shoe Trooper I wished I had been there on a day when they were starting out with a new set of shoes so that I could see the difference in the process.

SPC Morrison building up the worn parts of the shoe before putting it back on Trooper

After SPC Hoffman finished filing Trooper's hoof he began to "fit" the shoe so that he could nail it back on.

SPC Hoffman "fitting" the shoe

Once SPC Hoffman had made adjustments he began to secure the shoe back on Trooper.

SPC Hoffman nailing the shoe back on

Still working on that shoe

Trooper standing patiently as SPC Hoffman finished up the shoe

Right front - all done!

The men told me that, generally speaking, a shoe will last 18-24 weeks and can be used for about three times. 

Fourteen of the Caisson horses are in Arlington Cemetery Monday through Friday each week.  The horses work in the cemetery for two weeks then they are taken to the stables at Fort Belvoir for a week.  While at Fort Belvoir they have acres and acres of pastureland where they can run, play and roam.  After their week at Fort Belvoir they return to Fort Myer and are in training for a week before they go back into the cemetery for two weeks.  The cycle continues to repeat itself.

I am extremely grateful to all who were involved in allowing me to watch this process.  I am equally as grateful to SPC Morrison and SPC Hoffman for their genuine interest in teaching me about what they do.  They could not have been more welcoming and professional.

A couple of days later I stopped back by the Caisson stable.  One of the Soldiers took me out to one of the areas where the horses get exercise at Fort Myer.  Trooper, sporting his new shoes, was out enjoying the day.

Trooper (in the middle)

Military Wife and Mom Asks That We Each Participate In "A Random Act of Kindness" For Her Birthday

I've been more than blessed with the folks I've met along the way as I've worked to help support the members and families of various military units the past few years.

One of my treasured friends is Angela Nestell.  Angela is the wife of 1SG Michael Nestell, who is currently deployed (for the fourth time), and the mother of three fantastic children.  She is one of the most loving, supportive, intelligent and caring people I have ever met.  Her sense of humor is priceless.

Today is Angela's birthday.  It is also the anniversary of  the passing of her beloved Grandma Branham.  No one ever wants to share their birthday with such a sad anniversary.  But in true "Angela style" the following is what she posted on her Facebook page today:

"Fourteen years ago today I said my final goodbyes to my Grandma Branham. For the first few years I hated my birthday, had pity parties for myself instead of celebrating. Then one year with the help of my family & friends, I decided that I should not only celebrate my life, but also my grandmas. This year my birthday wish is to do random acts of kindness in hopes that many will follow. So I challenge you to leave a quarter in a gumball machine, pay for someone's cup of coffee, help someone carry their groceries, open doors for others, take your local fire/police/ems a few goodies, donate old clothes to a shelter, etc. The list is endless & the smiles are priceless. ♥"

 

I continue to be amazed at how our military families give and give.  I hope you will all join me in helping Angela celebrate her Grandma Branham's life and memory as well as help Angela celebrate her birthday by participating in a random act of kindness today.

 

♫ Happy Birthday ♫ dear friend.  I will definitely take this challenge.  More so I wish you a lifetime of continued happiness, good health, love and success.

 

 

"Living With Honor, A Memoir" by SSG Salvatore Giunta - Interview and Book Tour Dates

“Of course, I had no idea of the cost that came with war.  You have to be there, and you have to see it for yourself, to fully understand it.” SSG Salvatore Giunta

 

When my advance copy of Living with Honor, A Memoir arrived it took me a few hours before I finally sat down to read it.  Since I know Sal and many of the men he served with I was anxious as to what stories he had shared in the book.  I wasn’t sure I wanted to revisit most, if not all, of those stories.  By the time I had finished the book it was clear that, while he certainly addresses the experiences of joining the Army and of being deployed in war, this is not a typical blood and guts war story.

 

To be honest my initial thought when I asked for the advance copy was that I would write a book review to publish along with an interview with Sal.  I’m not sure what I was thinking.  I’m too close to Sal and many of the men he wrote about to be completely subjective about this book.  However, I will say that, without question, Sal should be extremely proud of this book.  It is respectful, insightful, thought provoking, thorough, emotional and candid.

 

Living With Honor, A Memoir by Medal of Honor Recipient SSG Salvatore A. Giunta is divided into four parts; Before Afghanistan, First Deployment, Korengal and Rock Avalanche. 

 

SSG Giunta writes about the fire fights and ambushes, the loss of friends, the relationships with and separation from loved ones, the dynamics of being a U S Soldier, the mentoring of his leadership, training, the brotherhood, losing friends and fellow Soldiers in battle and, of course, the event that lead up to his being nominated for and receiving the Medal of Honor. 

 

As he has so often done in interviews, he writes about how he’s not any different from anyone who has served our nation throughout time and emphasizes that the Medal of Honor is not his but that it belongs to all of those who served.  I’ll never forget a quote from Sal during an interview after it was announced that he would be awarded the Medal of Honor.  He said, “They are just as much of me as I am.”  Sal was talking about all of the men who were on the patrol with him that day and how, even though the Army was awarding the actual Medal to him, it belonged to (and always will) anyone with whom he has served.

 

 

INTERVIEW

Sal is an affable, self effacing and humble young man.  I had asked him for an interview after I read the book and was grateful that he agreed to do so.  On the day that I called Sal he was home but out running errands so he asked me to hold on while he walked out to his car for privacy.  As we began this interview I was immediately struck by how nervous he was.  When I asked him why he told me that it’s not easy to talk about the book to someone he knows. 

 

Me:        How did you decide on the title “Living With Honor, A Memoir”?  Is there any significance to the title?

Sal:        Originally I wanted the title to be “In the Valley” to represent what American Soldiers do and did there.  At only 27 years of age I didn’t think I had a lot of years behind me to be writing a memoir but the people I was working with thought the title we settled on was a better fit.

Me:        How long did it take to write the book?

Sal:        It took about seven months from the time I started working with Joe (Joe Layden).  Part of that was the writing but there was also the fact checking and editing part, too.

 

Me:        How did you get connected with Mr. Layden?

Sal:        When I started thinking about writing a book I spoke with one of the older Medal of Honor Recipients.  He put me in touch with a literary agency.  They selected Joe.

Me:        Aside from the obvious (the events of October 25, 2007) what else can we expect to learn from the book?

Sal:        I hope the take away from reading this book is how plain and average I am just as are most Soldiers who fight for our nation.  I also hope the readers learn that service isn’t just for those in uniform; that anyone can get involved at the community level and make a difference.  While those I served with and I may be professional Soldiers we really aren’t any different from any American citizen.  We just all “gave back” in our way. 

Me:        Aside from the events of October 25, 2007 what was, emotionally, the most difficult part of the book to write?

Sal:        I honestly think it was just trying to pull up things that had happened in the past.  I had to force a lot of things from the past back to now.  I didn’t want to do that and it wasn’t easy.  It took a real toll to think of a lot of things that have happened over the past seven years; to think about the guys who aren’t here anymore because of their service.  Talking about Gabel was really tough because I remembered the deep sense of loss I felt when I heard about his death.  I hated he wasn’t here.  When Gabel spoke at Rougle’s Memorial in Afghanistan I hadn’t seen him in a while.  His words seemed so black and white then.  A month later he was gone.  I didn’t feel the emotions about all of that then like I do now that I’ve had to revisit that for the book. 

Me:        Did writing this book help you with any healing?

Sal:        No.  It actually opened up a lot of old wounds.  I hope they heal better this time than they did before.  To be honest I don’t know if there has been any healing yet.  It really all depends on the acceptance of the book; first by my battle buddies then by the general public.  It’s really important to me that people know just how awesome the 173^rd is because it IS the most awesome Brigade in the Army bar none. 

Me:        Have any of the guys you served with read the book?

Sal:        No.  I read a few parts to some of them for fact checking but none of them have read it yet.

Me:        Will we be surprised about any part of the book?

Sal:        (laughing) Well, maybe that I was promoted eight times before I made SSG.

Me:        Why did you choose to write so much about your life’s journey than about the specifics of your war experience?

Sal:        Part of the story I wanted to convey is that we can always do better in life.  I’m a product of my environment and I want to give credit to my family.  There is more to war than being in country and firing a gun.  If you only focus on combat you lose who you are.

Me:        You were recently awarded the LT Michael Murphy Valor Award.  Tell me about that.

Sal:        When I was first contacted I said no because I don’t think one should receive an award for having an award.  Then I talked to SFC Leroy Petry who received the award last year and I changed my mind.  By receiving that award, just as with the Medal of Honor, it allows me to have a voice for all of those who have served.  That’s important to me.  I didn’t get to meet LT Murphy’s parents.  They weren’t able to be there.  I hope to get to meet them one day soon.  I was very honored that I was selected to receive the award.

Me:        Will there be a book tour? (This question was asked before the dates were set.  See below for a partial list of dates)

Sal:        Yes but no dates have been set or cities selected yet.  I will be in New York City in early December promoting the book via which ever outlets will have me.

Me:        Will people be able to order autographed copies or will they have to come to a book signing to get an autographed copy?

Sal:        There are no plans to sell or provide autographed copies so I guess people will have to come to a book signing for that.  There will be an audio book, too.  I recorded the prologue and the epilogue.  Keith Nobbs will record the actual book itself.

----------------------------------------------------------

BOOK TOUR INFORMATION:  (This is a partial list.  Final list will be published once received.  Dates and Times subject to change)

6 Dec 12          Peterson AFB, Colorado          10:30 AM 

6 Dec 12          Fort Carson, Colorado                1:30 PM

7 Dec 12          Buckley AFB, Colorado          (Mid Morning)

20 Dec 12        NAS Joint RES Base, FT Worth TX   11:00 AM

                          
21 Dec 12        Fort Hood, Texas                          11:00 AM

 

 

Veteran's Day 2012 at Arlington National Cemetery

Just as they have on most Memorial Day and Veteran's Day weekends for many years, a group of 173rd, 2-503d Vietnam Bravo Bulls Veterans gathered at Arlington National Cemetery on Saturday November 10, 2012 to honor and remember the fallen from the 2-503d.  They were joined by family and friends as well as other Vietnam Veterans and 2-503d Veterans of OEF VI and OEF VIII (Afghanistan) their families and friends and an OEF VIII Gold Star widow.

Four members of the 173rd, 2-503d Vietnam Bravo Bulls render honors after laying a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns as the Old Guard bugler plays TAPS at Arlington National Cemetery. 

Back row left to right - Joe Logan and Jim Robinson 

Front row left to right - Dave Glick and LTC Roy Lombardo, Jr.)

The weather in the Washington, DC area could not have been more perfect as the Bravo Bulls, their wives, Veterans of the current day 2-503d, SGT Jeffery Mersman's Gold Star widow, Lynn, parents of a currently deployed 2-503 Battle Co Soldier, family and friends gathered at MG Ellis Williamson's grave at 11:00 to begin the day's remembrance events.

Part of the crowd assembled at MG Williamson's (and his wife's) grave at Arlington National Cemetery.  Sec 60, Site 383

LTC (r) Roy Lombardo, Jr. spoke about MG Williamson including how he brought the 173rd up on Okinawa.  LTC Lombardo related historical information and shared memories of MG Williamson both during the time the Vietnam Bravo Bulls served under him as well as fond memories after MG Williamson retired from the Army. 

MD Williamson was the first commander of the 173d. In 1963 he was given the job to assemble and train a strike force based in Okinawa, that was able to assault anywhere in south east Asia in 24 hours. In May of 1965, it was thought that Saigon was about to be overrun. At first the Brigade was all scheduled to jump into Vietnam. However, the plan was changed to land in Bien Hoa.  There were some elements of the Brigade who did make the only combat jump into Vietnam.  They were the first army unit to enter Vietnam and the last to leave. General Williamson in later years preferred to be called Butch.  MG Williamson started his army carrier as a trombone player in the North Carolina National Guard! After coming ashore at Normandy, he survived the carpet bombing at the "St. Lowe breakout". He started leading troops east, turned north and ended up in Berlin. Along the way he accumulated 4 DSC's, 6 Silver Stars, 4 Purple Hearts as well as many other medals and awards. He was a hell of a trombone player.

I've heard LTC Lombardo relate these stores before and never grow tired of listening.  I was especially grateful that so many of the modern day ROCK Paratroopers were present to learn about this part of their legacy. 

A wreath was unveiled and Honors were rendered.  LTC Lombardo, Jr. then recited the words to TAPS.  It was a very respectful and emotional moment.

Rendering Honors to MG Ellis Williamson

After the ceremony at MG Williamson's grave we all moved to the 173rd Memorial Stone in Sec 33 of the Cemetery where we waited for the 82nd Airborne Color Guard and Bugler to arrive.  Each year on both Memorial Day and Veteran's Day the 82nd Airborne sends the Color Guard and Bugler to Arlington National Cemetery.  They spend the majority of the day moving from Memorial to Memorial presenting the Colors and playing TAPS for any group who requests them to do so.

Members of the 173rd, 2-503d Vietnam Bravo Bulls with the 82nd Airborne Color Guard at the 173rd Memorial in Arlington

After the colors were presented, Bravo Bull Jim Robinson read the very moving poem Bury Me With Soldiers.  If you have never heard or read the poem I encourage you to click the link and read it.

Jim Robinson reading "Bury me with Soldiers"

 

LTC (r) Roy Lombardo, Jr. reminded us all of the ultimate sacrifice that so many have made for our nation throughout wars of all generations.  He then began to read names of the Fallen.

 

LTC (r) Roy Lombardo, Jr. reminding the crowd about the ultimate sacrifice of the Fallen Sky Soldiers from Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan

As LTC Lombardo, Jr. read names of the fallen, members of the crowd placed an American flag around the base of the 173rd Memorial stone.

 

Ed Kearney placed the first flag in memory of Medal of Honor Recipient Milton Olive

 

LTC Lombardo, Jr. continued to read names of the Fallen from Bravo/Battle Company who were killed in action in Vietnam, Iraq and Afghanistan as members of the crowd placed the flags.

 

 

 

2-503d "C" Company (Chosen Company) Soldiers who served in Operation Enduring Freedom (Afghanistan) during OEF VIII (2007-2008) were there to remember and honor the fallen.

 

The 173rd Memorial Stone at Arlington after the ceremony

 

Gold Star wife, Lynn, her children and friends of SGT Jeffrey Mersman who was Killed in Action on 9 November 2007 during OEF VIII.  SGT Mersman was a member of 2-503d Chosen Company

 

From there we moved to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier where members of the 173rd, 2-503d Bravo Bulls laid a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns.

 

Tomb Sentinels bringing in the 173rd Wreath for the Bravo Bulls to place at the Tomb of the Unknowns at Arlington National Cemetery

Photo by Ed Kearney

  

Bravo Bulls being briefed by the Sergeant of the Guard just before placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Photo by Ed Kearney

 

Bravo Bulls with the Sergeant of the Guard just before placing a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

Photo by Karin Evink Markert

 

 

 

 

Placing the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns

Photo by Karin Evink Markert

 

LTC Lombardo, Jr. left the following comment on one of my pictures on facebook:  "It was a great honor to be able to place a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknowns. There are no unknowns from the Vietnam War but I used the occasion to remember personally PFC Van Campen (The first KIA in B/2-503) and SFC John Lopez, awarded the DSC. Neither body was ever recovered. For me they reside in the same Limbo as the other Unknowns."

 

Rendering Honors after placing the wreath

Photo by Ed Kearney

 

 

Rendering Honors as the Bugler plays TAPS.  It was one of the most emotional moments of the day.  Photo by Karin Evink Markert

 

 

Photo by Karin Evink Markert

 

 

Photo by Ed Kearney

 

After the wreath had been placed at the Tomb of the Unknowns we went below to the barracks of the Sentinel Guards for a briefing about the Tomb of the Unknowns and the Tomb Guard Platoon.  The Soldier who briefed us was incredibly professional and informative.  I learned several things - one being that the Sentinel Guards do not wear rank while they are guarding the Tomb.  The reason for this is so that they do not out rank the Soldiers interred in the Tomb.  I also learned that the sitting President at the time the remains of any Unknown were interred is the one who is listed as "next of kin."

 

During the briefing the Sentinel who was briefing us excused himself for a minute.  When he came back he brought with him the Sentinel who was preparing to take over the guard duties at the Tomb.  He explained the Sentinel's uniform to us then answered questions regarding the uniform and weapon. 

 

 

Although the Sentinel was about to step out to take over guard duty he and the Commander of the Relief took a quick moment for photos.  We were very grateful to all of them for these very special opportunities.

 

Jim Robinson, Ed Kearney, Joe Logan, Commander of the Relief, Sentinel about to go on duty guarding the Tomb, Dave Glick and Roy Lombardo, Jr.

 

 

I honestly realized then and still do, how fortunate I am

 

Immediately after the above photo was taken the Soldier standing between Joe Logan and me, known as the Commander of the Relief, approached the exit door of the room and began his march out to the Tomb.  Within a short amount of time the Soldier on the far right of this photo approached the exit door to begin his march out to the Tomb where he took his place as the Sentinel guarding the Tomb for the next hour.  The Commander of the Relief is the Soldier who inspects the new guard coming on duty at the Tomb.

 

I was struck by how each Soldier's first step from the room was sharp and with such meaning. 

 

Our next stop was at the Caisson Stables for a tour and a briefing about the Caisson Platoon.  The Soldiers of the Caisson Platoon are those who escort the remains of our Fallen and of retired Veterans to their final resting place in Arlington National Cemetery.  Not only do they participate in numerous burials each day, they also care for the caissons, horses and the stables.  They, just like the Tomb Sentinels were incredibly professional and welcoming to us.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

L to R:  Ed Kearney, Carol Lombardo, Dave Click, Judy, Roy Lombardo, Izzy, Caisson Soldier, Joe Logan and Jim Robinson outside the entrance to the Caisson Stables on Fort Myer

 

COL Jim and Mrs. (Karin) Markert had invited the Bravo Bulls back to their home for an early dinner after the day's events.

 

From lower right: Judy, Joe Logan, Izzy & Dave Glick, COL Jim and Karin Markert, Roy & Carol Lombardo and Ed Kearney at dinner at the Markert's home at Fort Myer

 

 

Kevin, a friend of the Markerts, and Jim Robinson at the dinner at the Markert's home

 

I am thankful to the Bravo Bulls for, once again, allowing me to be a part of such a special and memorable occasion.  I am thankful to Andi Fehl for helping to get the word out and to so many of the "younger" ROCK Paratroopers who attended the events.  I am also thankful to my friends COL Jim and Karin Markert (current Commander of The Old Guard), Arlington National Cemetery (for allowing the Bravo Bulls to lay the wreath), the Old Guard PAO, the Tomb Sentinels and the Caisson Platoon for going out of their way to make this such a special day.