It has been two decades since the horrific deadly terrorist attack on the New York World Trade Center’s Twin Towers, the Pentagon and Pennsylvania flight attempts, that killed so many people in a matter of hours. This was another day we will never forget. It still carries distressing long-term memories, not just of the lives that were lost, but for the many brave first responders and good Samaritans that still remain with serious physical and emotional health conditions.
Twenty-years had been a number that has encroached my mind for a few years and up to the last few weeks. First, in reminiscent, it was 58 years ago, I was 20 years old and husband Sam, Sr. was on furlough from the Army, on November 3, 1963. After a long-term engagement, that went from High School, though Junior College to that home visit, we decided to elope and get married. The problem, I was not old enough to marry in Florida – so we went to Valdosta, Ga. And, as it’s sad, the rest is history.
Twenty-years ago the U.S. sent military troops into a hostile country. In that time period, many men and women and allies lost their lives. In that period, I had a brother and God-son serve in the Iraq/Afghanistan conflict. Like many families, I came from a long line of military service members. My grandfather and his brother enlisted in the WWII conflict. My father, father-in-law and husband. Two other brothers and another God-child and a couple of cousins also served, my count as I know, 12 total.
All that served, I can thank God that we were blessed to only have had, “Smiles on our lips not tears in our eyes,” for their service years. On Sunday, August 29, 2021, at Dover AFB, DE – I was gravely impressed as I watched the transfer of the 13 fallen service men and women who died in Afghanistan by a suicide bomber.
The conveyance from the aircraft carrier to the waiting transport vehicles was a bit sombre and pensive, but extremely dignified. The narrator of the event was clear that the transfer was “not” a customary, ceremonial rite. The performing comrades handling each flag draped coffin sent the message in each step that they made, displaying extreme honor, pride and pleasure that this was A Farewell with Dignity.
Mary Madison