Arlington

My brother was buried at Arlington National Cemetery last week. The Mass of Christian burial was lovely, and the military ceremony was impressive. But Tuesday afternoon through Wednesday was the worst day (36 hours) of my life. It made it seem so much more real and final.

I found an album of Arlington pictures on Life's website. The rituals are so lovely and a moving tribute to those who serves our country. But I cannot imagine how hard it must be for those soldiers attached to this unit to participate in multiple funerals each day--the military band, the caisson team, the riflers. One of my brother's friends from high school is currently attached to that unit and had offered to present the flag/pall to my SIL, but decided on his way to work that morning that he couldn't do it. He attended in civilian clothes instead. (And later brought his wife and one week old baby girl by to visit with my family.)