Lew's Addendum

Lew’s addendum to Bonnie's post:

Bonnie mentioned that we watched the changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  That was impressive, but the laying of wreaths at the tomb was more intricate and definitely impressive.

However, as we prepared to leave the cemetery, we asked directions of a uniformed attendant.  He asked, in a slightly accented voice, if I was a veteran.  When I said, “Yes” he thanked me for my service and said that he was grateful for the US military who had made it possible for the United States to become the great country that it is.  He said that the US is the only country, with the possible exception of his native Belize, where he would consider living.  The attendant came to this country as part of the Belize foreign service and quickly grew to love this country.  He mentioned that he had retired for the foreign service and didn’t need a job, but worked as an attendant at the National Cemetery specifically to talk with and thank US veterans for their service.  His goal is to thank 5,000 veterans and estimates that he has already personally thanked 3,500.

Wow!  I didn’t know how to respond.  I was partly embarrassed, partly grateful for having been thanked for something I’d done (yes, even the very small part that I had played), and acknowledging that the US military had played an important part in making our country what it is today.  Yes, my mind flashed through some of the great military accomplishments and some of the parts that were not so great, but his point was well taken.

As we followed his directions to the cemetery exit, I thought that I would have liked to buy that man a cup of coffee and asked him about his experiences.  But neither he nor I, at that point, had time for a cup of coffee.