Where I live, the sun is way down low in the horizon, telling me that yet another Memorial Day is almost “over.”
Once again, thousands of touching words have been said and written about this solemn occasion.
Yet, here are some concluding images I’d like to share.
Something to “keep us” until next year.
Soldiers of the 3rd U.S Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) place flags at over 240,000-interned service members in Arlington National Cemetery during the annual Flags-In mission in Arlington National Cemetery, Va., May 26, 2016.(Photo Credit: Spc. Sarah Pond)
Air Force Senior Airman Tiffany Fogel reaches to secure an American flag as it is lowered during a retreat ceremony to commemorate Memorial Day at Joint Base Andrews, Md., May 26, 2016. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Kevin Wallace
Soldiers salute the flag during the Memorial Day service the U.S. Army Central and Area Support Group-Kuwait hosted at Camp Arifian, Kuwait, May 30, 2016. The ceremony brings the Camp Arifian community together to honor fallen service members.
Air Force Gen. Frank Gorenc, commander of U.S. Air Forces in Europe and Air Forces Africa, lays a wreath during a ceremony for Memorial Day at the Lafayette Escadrille Memorial in Marnes-la-Coquette, France, May 28, 2016. The ceremony commemorated the shared sacrifices of French and American forces, recognizing the relationship the two countries have maintained for more than 240 years. Air Force photo by Senior Master Sgt. Brian Bahret
President Barack Obama, right, Defense Secretary Ash Carter and Marine Corps Gen. Joe Dunford, chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, render honors during a wreath-laying ceremony to mark Memorial Day at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., May 30, 2016. DoD photo by Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz
President Barack Obama places a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier during a Memorial Day ceremony at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., May 30, 2016. DoD photo by Air Force Senior Master Sgt. Adrian Cadiz
And, finally and once again the one immensely touching image that says it all:
Brittany, left, and her son, Christian, 4, spend time at the grave of her husband and his father, Marine Corps Sgt. Christopher Jacobs, in Section 60* of Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Va., May 25, 2015. Christian wore his father’s cover during the Memorial Day visit. Army photo by Rachel Larue
Now, please watch this…
* Section 60 is the newest section at Arlington National Cemetery. It is the final resting place for many of our troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan.
Lead photo: A Marine participates in a sunrise ruck march honoring fallen service members as he marks Memorial Day on the flight deck of the USS Boxer in the Gulf of Aden, May 28, 2016. Navy photo by Seaman Eric Burgett
The author is a retired U.S. Air Force officer and a writer.