This Memorial Day, Rhett and I went to the ceremony at the Houston National Cemetery. It was supposed to start at 9:30am so we dropped Caleb off at Jenn and Jarod's around 8:45am and headed to the cemetery. We had no idea how big this ceremony was. There were literally thousands of people there and we couldn't believe it. Because we got there right around 9:30am and not extremely early, we didn't get an up-close spot. It was a little difficult to hear and see everything, but it was a nice ceremony overall. It did go a bit long, in our opinion (we could have done without politicians Sheila Jackson Lee and Al Green. just sayin'). Texas Governor, Rick Perry, gave the Memorial Day address. There was also a parade of colors and wreaths, U.S. Coast Guard flyover, a cannon salute, performance of Taps, Amazing Grace performed by a local bag pipe band, a white dove release, and a 21 gun salute.
One really cool thing happened as we were entering the cemetery, and I really think that this is the reason we were supposed to be there that day. As we were walking in (we wearing our Josh memorial t-shirts), a member of the Patriot Guard stopped us and said she had a question for us. I thought maybe she was going to ask us a question for a news report or article or something so we stopped. She looked at me and said "I have Josh's mom's Gold Star Mothers flag." I didn't even know what to say, I was so shocked. She recognized Josh's name on our shirts. I couldn't believe it. Turns out, she's been meaning to get in touch with my parents but her father-in-law passed away right around the same time Josh did, so she's been dealing with a loss herself. She is a Blue Star Mom and the Blue to Gold liason for a Houston area chapter, as well as a member of the Patriot Guard of S.E. Texas. She did not get to ride for Josh since her FIL had passed away. When I told her I was Josh's sister, she just hugged me and was so nice. I just really am amazed that out of the thousands of people who walked by her, she saw us, looked at our shirts, AND recognized Josh's name. It was truly a blessing from God.
Josh, I am so proud to be your sister. Not only were you a great brother, son, and friend to so many people...you were an outstanding soldier who proudly served our country. Whatever you set your mind to in the military, you accomplished it and you went above and beyond while doing so. You are missed by so many people. You'd probably roll your eyes and say that you aren't worth all the fuss, but you'd be wrong. I thank God every day for the almost 24 years we had with you here on earth. I really do miss you more and more every day, but I know that one day I will see you again.
My dad's sister, my Aunt Martha, works at a place that makes grave markers in Arkansas. She asked if she could have Josh's military marker made by her company. She put a picture of Josh with the marker so that as the it went along the "assembly line" as it was being made, each person who had a part in making it could see who it was for. Then, all the workers signed a card for our family. Such a special thing my aunt and her co-workers did.
"Therefore we do not lose heart. Though outwardly we are wasting away, yet inwardly we are being renewed day by day. For our light and momentary troubles are achieving for us an eternal glory that far outweighs them all. So we fix our eyes not on what is seen, but on what is unseen. For what is seen is temporary, but what is unseen is eternal." 2 Corinthians 4:16-18
1 comment:
What a beautiful post Morgan. I loved seeing all Josh's photos again. And what an amazing story about Josh's photo traveling along the line as his marker was made!
hugs, Shauna in CA
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