Charlotte, I always admire your eloquent words. Thank you for sharing this touching memory. We lost my dad ten years ago to lung cancer from Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. He is not buried in Arlington, but I hope to visit there on Memorial Day some day and I will think of him and remember your tribute to your friend Joe.
Arlington is a special place. Thank you for your service, Charlotte. You’ve seen more brutality and pain than someone your age should have. I appreciate you sharing your experiences. They are humbling as much as they are informative. Thank you for continuing your service to others. The world needs more people like you.
Thank you! What a wonderful piece. I didn’t know about “Flags In, Flags Out.” Both my parents were vets; my Dads service spanned 3 wars, WWII, Korea, & Vietnam. My mother served during WWII. They are not buried in a national cemetery. Since 2008 I have gone every Memorial Day to pay my respect. I had to miss last year & this year, unfortunately, which makes me quite sad. Your piece brought tears to my eyes.
Beautifully written, Charlotte. We've visited Arlington National Cemetery twice, but never on Memorial Day. Your telling gave me chills seeing that in my mind eye.
Thank you Charlotte - for your beautiful essay and for your compassion & sensitivity re: ANC. I’m a frequent visitor to section 66 to visit my Dad and a friend’s Dad. Been to more funerals there than any place and it feels oddly like home. It feels so familiar and yet so special.
Such a thoughtful and moving piece — thank you. If you haven’t seen it already, you might find interesting a guest opinion piece by Phil Klay in the NY Times today: “How Should We Honor the Dead of Our Failed Wars?”
Such a beautiful remembrance. My family, having service members in the Army, Air Force, and Marines always trooped to Kalamazoo to watch the Memorial Day parade and see our Grandma proudly marching with the Women's Auxillary of the VFW. Her first husband, my Grandfather, served in WWI and raised mules for WWII. He died of an aneurysm after a mule kicked him in the head, so he wasn't technically a combat casualty.
My step-Grandfather served in WWI, my Uncle served in the Air Force during Korea, my father was in the Marines and the Army during Korea. My father's father, an immigrant from the Netherlands, served in WWI. My father-in-law served as a forward observer in WWII, injured twice, and forever changed by it. I don't think anyone who saw combat was unaffected.
On Memorial Day, before the parade, we always made sure to put flowers on all the graves, though none were at Arlington. Thank you so much for YOUR service, dear lady, and for sharing this remembrance with us. <3
& you are correct, every American should make the pilgrimage to immerse themselves in the vastness of death for country. The rows, & rows, & rows, of perfect symmetry will steal your breath. It should bring you to your knees.
Thank you for placing those flags. Charlotte. Thank you. I’d like to think that you placed a flag on my Father’s grave.
& if not you, then someone just as respectful for his sacrifice.
Thank you Charlotte. What a beautiful reminder of the thanks we owe to all who have served.
Charlotte, I always admire your eloquent words. Thank you for sharing this touching memory. We lost my dad ten years ago to lung cancer from Agent Orange exposure in Vietnam. He is not buried in Arlington, but I hope to visit there on Memorial Day some day and I will think of him and remember your tribute to your friend Joe.
Arlington is a special place. Thank you for your service, Charlotte. You’ve seen more brutality and pain than someone your age should have. I appreciate you sharing your experiences. They are humbling as much as they are informative. Thank you for continuing your service to others. The world needs more people like you.
Thank you! What a wonderful piece. I didn’t know about “Flags In, Flags Out.” Both my parents were vets; my Dads service spanned 3 wars, WWII, Korea, & Vietnam. My mother served during WWII. They are not buried in a national cemetery. Since 2008 I have gone every Memorial Day to pay my respect. I had to miss last year & this year, unfortunately, which makes me quite sad. Your piece brought tears to my eyes.
Beautifully written, Charlotte. We've visited Arlington National Cemetery twice, but never on Memorial Day. Your telling gave me chills seeing that in my mind eye.
Thank you Charlotte - for your beautiful essay and for your compassion & sensitivity re: ANC. I’m a frequent visitor to section 66 to visit my Dad and a friend’s Dad. Been to more funerals there than any place and it feels oddly like home. It feels so familiar and yet so special.
Thank you, Charlotte, for sharing this beautiful story with us. I appreciate you & love you✌🏻💜
Such a thoughtful and moving piece — thank you. If you haven’t seen it already, you might find interesting a guest opinion piece by Phil Klay in the NY Times today: “How Should We Honor the Dead of Our Failed Wars?”
Thank you for that powerful column. I’ve always loved the equality of Arlimgton, that everyone has the same headstone.
Tears.
Lovely reminder. Thank you for educating me about this tradition. Beautifully written.
Thank you Charlotte, this is lovely.
Such a beautiful remembrance. My family, having service members in the Army, Air Force, and Marines always trooped to Kalamazoo to watch the Memorial Day parade and see our Grandma proudly marching with the Women's Auxillary of the VFW. Her first husband, my Grandfather, served in WWI and raised mules for WWII. He died of an aneurysm after a mule kicked him in the head, so he wasn't technically a combat casualty.
My step-Grandfather served in WWI, my Uncle served in the Air Force during Korea, my father was in the Marines and the Army during Korea. My father's father, an immigrant from the Netherlands, served in WWI. My father-in-law served as a forward observer in WWII, injured twice, and forever changed by it. I don't think anyone who saw combat was unaffected.
On Memorial Day, before the parade, we always made sure to put flowers on all the graves, though none were at Arlington. Thank you so much for YOUR service, dear lady, and for sharing this remembrance with us. <3
My Father is buried @ANC.
& you are correct, every American should make the pilgrimage to immerse themselves in the vastness of death for country. The rows, & rows, & rows, of perfect symmetry will steal your breath. It should bring you to your knees.
Thank you for placing those flags. Charlotte. Thank you. I’d like to think that you placed a flag on my Father’s grave.
& if not you, then someone just as respectful for his sacrifice.