I was blessed to witness the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and celebrate two World War 11 veterans. One was 99 and the other 100 years old. Thank you to Honor Flight for making this possible.
You’re listening to the Love Tidbits Podcast, where you’ll discover a small, tasty, delightful, bite-sided tidbit of love ~ I’m your host, LeAnn Austin
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Onto the podcast. Welcome to Love Tidbits, episode #69: Honor Flight
Last week I took my first official trip to Washington DC. Now I say first official trip because technically I have been there before. I flew out of the DC airport when I was two weeks old, and I was so excited 50 plus years later to get to go back and really see everything that is there.
Our first stop was the Arlington National Cemetery. It is the final resting place for more than 400,000 active duty service members, veterans, and their families. It is an enduring tribute to those who have dedicated their lives to defend the ideals of our nation. I was in awe at the endless tombstones that I saw, as I looked all around. I learned that there are more than 639 acres of hollowed ground there in the Arlington National Cemetery.
I was blessed to witness the changing of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. That was such a beautiful and spiritual experience for me because when we got there and we were watching, there were some veterans over in wheelchairs really close to the front, and then there were some young middle-aged school kids. That were part of them switching out the wreath. So as they were changing the guards, they also switched out a wreath. And these cute kids, there were four of them, got to do that with the soldiers and that was touching.
And then this elder gentleman came up and started talking to us and said, stick around for a few minutes, because there is going to be a 99 and 100 year old World War II veteran that are going to be part of the changing of the guard ceremony as well. And so we got to witness these two World War II veterans that were 99 and 100 years old, go up in their wheelchairs and switch out the wreaths. It was just so touching to do that.
And we later learned that. It’s part of Honor Flight, and I didn’t know what Honor Flight was. My husband Jeff, has been on some Honor Flights before, and it’s a nonprofit organization dedicated to transporting as many United States military veterans as possible to see the memorials of the respective war they fought in Washington DC. And it’s at no cost to them.
So it was so cool to witness that and see these two 99 and 100 year old World War II veterans doing this and being a part, and being able to be there and of that special ceremony that they have.
It just really, the whole experience for me was amazing and I just really am grateful for the sacrifice of countless men and women who have served our country and that epitomized it so well just being in the Arlington National Cemetery and witnessing those two World War II veterans. So very humbling.
It was also touching to read the words on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. It said, “Here Rests in Honored Glory an American Soldier Known but to God.” Hmm, something to think about.
Have a good one y’all, and here’s to honor, God, and love.
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