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The views expressed on this page are soley
those of the author and do not
necessarily represent the views of County
News Online
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Remembering
those who sacrificed
By Bob Robinson
On Monday I closed up my computer, got dressed and headed into town. It
was a little after 12… this year I wasn’t going to walk the parade
route. At 73, I wasn’t sure that was the best plan on a hot (and I do
mean hot) day at the end of May.
Later I admit to being shamed at the number of veterans, my age or
older, who DID walk the parade route.
I parked on the side street at Greenville Union Cemetery and walked to
the bridge on North Broadway, thinking “what was I thinking… still a
long walk on a hot day…” but I made it.
And I saw many of my friends, old and new. Some waved; some yelled out
“Hey Bob, staying out of trouble?” “Are you kidding? Not a chance!” And
we laughed.
“Why are you here, sweety?” I asked one of my tutoring students as I
ambled my way toward the bridge? “The parade,” she answered. “Why are
we having a parade?” She shrugged her shoulders. A young lady of few
words. “Memorial Day,” Mom answered for her. “Remember? We talked about
it.”
I got to the bridge and across the street a “young” woman (by my
standards) and a little girl in sunglasses were waving at me… couldn’t
quite make them out. I crossed the street… another one of my tutoring
students and her grandmother.
Some kids, like the first student I talked to, are shy and retiring.
Not this one! We talked for a while and the child let me know in no
uncertain terms that she is a supporter of all Empowering programs…
After School, Mid-May and now Summer Tutoring.
“I get my homework done,” she said, simply. No homework during the
summer, so I’m guessing we’ll have to push her “growth” in other ways;
if I remember right, reading.
Soon we heard the band coming north on the other side of the circle. It
was time to settle in for the reason we were there. As happens each
year, the parade stops at the bridge. The bouquets are tossed. Honor
Guard salutes, taps are played… and we move on to the cemetery.
“Hey, Bob, you keep them in line, now!” I assume he was talking about
the Greenville Marching Band of Pride… I was almost keeping up with
them. “Do my best,” I promised, adding, “but more likely they need to
be keeping me in line!”
He laughed.
We got to the cemetery. Worn out after the walk, I sat on a tree stump
(put there specifically for me, I told myself) for a few moments.
It seemed there were more people this year than in years past. I hope
so. We should honor those who served all year long; this day at the
very least. Just one day out of 365.
I’m not taking notes anymore, although I still manage to take a few
pictures. Other than that, I’m listening; I’m there to honor and thank
those who served. In a way, it’s a different feeling than all the years
when I was “covering an event.” I liked it better.
A little girl – she couldn’t have been more than 9 or 10 (I hope I’m
not insulting her), belted out one of the best national anthems I’ve
heard in a long time, certainly the best I’ve ever heard from someone
her age.
As happens every year, we heard from those with a Memorial Day message
for us, there was a laying of the wreathes, the Honor Guard salute,
taps… and suddenly it was over.
I spoke a few moments with one of my buddies. He drives the American
Legion bus and in years past, always gave me a ride back downtown. A
woman came up to us… wanted a picture of Fred. She told me she got one
of me while I was sitting on the tree trunk.
That had to be exciting.
A few minutes later I was back in my car. Thinking. Some of the
statements made by the participants were worthy of note, but I didn’t
note them. No apologies… I’ve left that to the “kids” who are still
“covering events.”
Instead, I went to Newsweek’s top Memorial Day quotes…
“I am thankful that there are those among us who have sacrificed dearly
on behalf of us. And I ardently pray to God that I might be less like
myself and more like them.” Craig D. Lounsbrough
“Patriotism is supporting your country all the time, and your
government when it deserves it.” Mark Twain
"Freedom is never more than one generation away from extinction. We
didn't pass it to our children in the bloodstream. It must be fought
for, protected, and handed on for them to do the same.” Ronald Reagan
There are many more – just do a Google search – but those are my
favorites. Especially Mark Twain’s. Who’s surprised?
Remember those who made the ultimate sacrifice, my friends… and those
who were fortunate enough to come back after having served. If not for
them, this latest “3-day Weekend” would not exist.
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