Today, a soldier arrived home at the Tri-Cities regional airport.
We were blessed with perfect weather, 60 degrees! The smell of autumn filled our noses, the taste of change tickled our tongues. A mild wind blowing from the west as we waited for his private jet. Just beyond the cold galvanized gate, we stood and waited. Quietly the world hushed as the engines spooled down. Noises of the rail yard muted, I don't know how or why. The flags all fluttered, popping occasionally in salute to our soon deplaned soldier. Honor kept us warm.
Today, a soldier rode from Pasco, through Richland, past Benton City, Prosser, Grandview and finally to Sunnyside.
Today, over 100 motorcycles, 10 cages, and a various number of Law Enforcement vehicles escorted a soldier, his mother, his father, siblings and relatives home.
On this ride home, regular folks gathered with flags to wave him on by. A seaman stood at the corner and saluted the caravan. Mothers and fathers, boys and girls stood silently by as we motored past. Cars pulled off the highway, and some that drove by saluted. Overpasses had people, most with flags, waving as we passed underneath. Life moved in slow-motion as we pulled into Sunnyside. People stopped, waited, waved, cried.
We stopped, and the riders dismounted their steel horses and again silence befell the earth. Only the noises of birds and wind carried through the air.
Today a soldier arrived home for his last time.
Neal and Julie
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1 comment:
Neal,
What a poet you are!
Of course I knew this already and I am so proud of you for what you have written.
I am also very proud of what you are doing to honor the fallen soldiers. It wasn’t always like that.
Thank you again for writing such a beautiful piece for such painful ending.I wept.
Dad
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