I suppose the handling of our fallen military varies from time to time and place to place but when a fallen hero comes home it should touch and move us all.

I was working at one of the big aircraft hangers on the Fort where I work late one night (this would have been about a year after we went into Iraq). A little after midnight a medium sized plane landed and taxied to another hanger next door and powered down. I stepped out of the hanger I was in to smoke a cigarette and see what was going on.

A few minuets later a hearse pulled up and a military honor guard marched out of the hanger. They loaded the casket from the plane into the hearse that then pulled away. The soldiers marched away. Other than a couple of commands by the soldier in charge of the honor guard it was completely silent thru out and the events took place under a street light. No one other than the pilots, honor guard and driver were there (I don’t suppose anyone noticed me). I have know idea if it was a soldier from Iraq or Afghanistan or even a retired service member who had elected to be buried in the post cemetery. It doesn’t matter I was the most haunting and moving thing I have ever seen.

The Motor Pool I work at is just down the street from where the Post Honor Guard practices to include the 21 gun salute practice. I hear that reminder a couple of times a week.

When you see a service member THANK THEM NOW.