Either Discovery or the History Channel did a great documentary on the special men who volunteer for this duty. It’s a very compelling picture of the total dedication, and extreme training these young men endure just to get this duty.
It’s difficult to find such honor in most places.
At my last visit in March of 2001, there was a group of young people there and their supervision was lacking. They were starting to run all about and talk and just be silly children. After several people had tried to shush them, suddenly, the young man who was currently walking back and forth - STOPPED DEAD IN HIS TRACKS! He turned sharply and faced the crowd and pretty basically told them to stop talking and moving around, and to have respect for the soldiers who were being honored there. WHOA! The children sat down and immediately shut up.
It showed me that the children had not been instructed by their teachers as to how to act while at the memorial.
In my lifetime, I’ve had the opportunity to visit mighty cathedrals and numerous religious sites around the world; but none, not one, can compare to what I feel when I am at Arlington. For me it is a very Holy place.
I’ve met and talked with a few of these special men and they are beautiful, through and through. In my day-to-day life, I seldom have the chance to witness from civilians such pure sense of purpose. Bless them for their duty and honor.
It’s too bad the children didn’t have direction from the teacher, but , nevertheless, it is a lesson that had to be taught. I’m sure it will not be forgotten.