ozzzyyy Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 HONORING OUR FALLEN HEROES Author: Army Captain John Rasmussen It was raining "cats and dogs" and I was late for physical training. Traffic was backed up at Fort Campbell, Kentucky, and was moving way too slow. I was probably going to be late and I was growing more and more impatient. The pace slowed almost to a standstill as I passed Memorial Grove, the site built to honor the soldiers who died in the Gander airplane crash, the worst redeployment accident in the history of the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault). Because it was close to Memorial Day, a small American flag had been placed in the ground next to each soldier's memorial plaque. My concern at the time, however, was getting past the bottleneck, getting out of the rain and getting to physical training on time. All of a sudden, infuriatingly, just as the traffic was getting started again, the car in front of me stopped. A soldier, a private of course, jumped out in the pouring rain and ran over toward the grove. I couldn't believe it! This knucklehead was holding up everyone for who knows what kind of prank. Horns were honking. He was getting soaked to the skin. His Battle Dress Uniform was plastered to his frame. I watched-as he ran up to one of the memorial plaques, picked up the small American flag that had fallen to the ground in the wind and the rain, and set it upright again. Then, slowly, he came to attention, saluted, ran back to his car, and drove off. I'll never forget that incident. That soldier, whose name I will never know, taught me more about duty, honor, and respect than a hundred books or a thousand lectures. That simple salute --- that single act of honoring his fallen brother and his flag --- encapsulated all the Army values in one gesture for me. It said, "I will never forget. I will keep the faith. I will finish the mission. I am an American soldier." I thank God for examples like that. And on this Memorial Day, I will remember all those who paid the ultimate price for my freedom, and one private, soaked to the skin, who honored them. Link to comment
Linda Posted May 30, 2005 Share Posted May 30, 2005 that gave me goose bumps from the top of my head to my feet. and am now trying to keep the tears back jsut to post this. thank you Link to comment
Homesteader Posted May 31, 2005 Share Posted May 31, 2005 What a great story. I bet the honkers were embarassed. Link to comment
logcabinmama Posted June 7, 2005 Share Posted June 7, 2005 Thank you so much for sharing this with us. I wonder how many people this story has changed. Link to comment
Judy Moist Posted June 12, 2005 Share Posted June 12, 2005 Yes Thank you Ginger, for this post.. Link to comment
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