Sunday night, May 29. I lay back on the couch in my living room enjoying the end of what had been an afternoon of swaddling, and now began to think about what I could have for dinner and what the evening’s entertainment would be.
I had finished all the sections of my Sunday San Diego Union Tribune, and I settled in with my remote to scan the TV channels for something worthwhile. He had watched bits of two major league baseball games, including the struggling San Diego Padres being beaten by the Arizona Diamondbacks in Arizona. Time for some less intensive entertainment. I intended to check the usual channels, including my local San Diego public broadcasting station, which usually always had good programming on Sunday nights. You could count on that.
As I flipped through the channels, none of them had anything of interest to me related to my desire for a peaceful night, not one of intense murder shows or other totally wrong types of TV shows for this particular night.
I hadn’t paid much attention to the time as I visited the litany of Cox Cable stations one by one. I had only traveled to three or four of them in my search when I stumbled upon PBS and the announcement of two well-known and respected actors, Gary Sinise and Joe Mantegna, two excellent choices with no left or right political baggage. –of the National Memorial Day Concert with the National Symphony Orchestra on the West Lawn of the US Capitol in Washington, DC, two miles from Arlington National Cemetery, the resting place of more than 470 Americans who gave their all, paid the price end to guarantee our liberty and liberty. There, endless rows of white crosses stretch as far as the eye can see, perfectly aligned no matter what angle you look at them from.
Arlington National Cemetery, in Arlington, Virginia, is our nation’s monument to valor, “…the field of the dead…” It’s six hundred twenty-four acres of pristine hallowed ground where fallen US military victims rest as witnesses at the price of freedom. “Arlington houses them all.” More than four million visitors a year pay homage to them.
During the concert, Trace Adkins sang movingly and personally to those buried there with her acclaimed song, Arlington.
I am proud to be on this peaceful property,
I’m on hallowed ground and I’m in the best of company.
I’m thankful for those thankful for the things I’ve done,
I can rest in peace, I am one of the chosen ones, I arrived in Arlington.
And every time I hear twenty-one guns,I know they brought another hero home…
Joe Mantegna began by saying that it was raining in Washington, and many of the 300,000 who normally attend were at home watching it on television. “But our troops have served much worse than this,” Joe said, “so we’ll continue.” A rousing ovation erupted from those in the audience.
Joe continued, “Gary and I look forward all year to hosting this extraordinary evening where we honor those who gave their lives for our country, as well as wounded veterans, our living monuments. We all appreciate their sacrifice.”
The concert began with the National Symphony Orchestra accompanying American Idol champion Trent Harmon singing the National Anthem. He did it without the regular singer trying to add his own style to it. Trent sang it pure, direct and beautifully, just the way it was meant to be sung.
The show went quickly from one performer to another, from one big-name song to the next without a hitch. Even the Beach Boys were in their prime, singing songs from those distant, somewhat turbulent sixties.
The best of the night? Alfie Boe closed out the 2016 National Memorial Day Concert with “Forever Young”, he sang so soulfully and passionately, it struck me as surprisingly appropriate and highly appreciated, especially by the aging veterans and their families in attendance, shown with tears in their eyes. while cameras scanned the audience.
May God bless you and keep you always
May all your wishes come true.
May you always do for others,
And let others do it for you.
May you always be brave
Stand up and be strong.
May your heart always be happy.
May your song always be sung.
May you stay forever young.
At approximately 9:15 pm, the National Symphony Orchestra began playing a medley of songs from each of our nation’s military branches. Gary announced each song until, near the last, “Marines’ Hymn” began to play. I immediately jumped off my couch to stand alone in my living room. Tears began to flow from my eyes, down my cheeks, and onto the floor below. I still get those chills and that deep sense of pride when I hear that familiar refrain and those memorable words I learned over forty-nine years ago upon arriving at training camp, Parris Island, South Carolina.
First to fight for law and freedom.
and to keep our honor clean;
We are proud to claim the title.
of the United States Navy.
All too soon, the program was coming to an end. It had been over an hour since I tuned in to this magnificent concert. Where had time gone so suddenly? I had the same question all those years from 1968-1969 when I served in Vietnam. Where had time gone from the days when I was so young and so dedicated to serving my country, like so many others. I was saddened that this show was ending; I had been moved by his music and the honors paid to our nation’s military. I felt included, I felt part of it and I felt grateful.
The inspiring, splendid and thoroughly enjoyable National Memorial Day Concert was winding down. What a show! What music! What a token of appreciation to veterans. He had moved me to tears several times, surprising me and arousing my feelings of gratitude for such a joyous display of gratitude.
This brilliant musical tribute certainly reminded us that Memorial Day was about more than a four-day weekend of backyard barbecues and drinking copious amounts of our favorite beer. Much more!
Gary and Joe: “When we say goodnight, we send a personal message to all those who have served our country, but are hurting in body, mind or spirit…don’t be afraid to reach out.” In doing so, Gary and Joe were advising, even pleading, those who needed help to step up, come out of the darkness that war puts one in, and come into the light.
Many have waited to hear these final words for so long, and have probably missed them on many occasions, but perhaps now they are willing, even eager, to finally, at last, accept the scope. Such compelling, heartbreaking words that need to be heard by many:
“…We are here for you…”
Post Script: The concert was presented by Public Broadcasting (PBS). It is available on YouTube and is a valuable expense of your time. I recommend you see it. It is a fitting tribute to those who have served our country, many of whom have died doing so. It will wake you from your lethargy by appreciating the price of the freedom we enjoy, often taking it for granted. If only for a few moments, you will come to recognize that what you are privileged to have here in the United States without much thought has come at a price for doing so.