Posted on 05/31/2021 4:58:01 AM PDT by Kartographer
It's the Memorial Day image that made Americans online everywhere put their hands to their hearts. A photo that amateur photographer Frank Glick snapped in 2011 of a bald eagle resting on a veteran's gravestone suddenly went viral after the Department of Veterans tweeted it earlier this week.
And it's easy to see why. The shot depicts a bald eagle, America's iconic symbol of freedom, perched atop a gravestone, pensively looking out over the expanse. According to an interview with Fox News, Glick snapped the image early one morning at the Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minnesota before attending a training later. Talk about being in the right place at the right time.
(Excerpt) Read more at goodhousekeeping.com ...
The Eagle’s Watch
In a quiet river valley, Lies a green and peaceful place, Where warriors come to rest, Having honorably met their fates.
No more do they stand the watch, Their worthy service done, They’ve passed their duties on To other Fathers’ sons.
Yet flying high above them, On silent wings spread wide, Soars freedom’s embodiment, And a country’s sign of pride.
The mighty Eagle watches o’er all And guards their well-earned rests. For he like they, knows the feel, Of Freedom in his chest.
And though he does his best to guard, The fallen warriors’ sleep. Still at times he grows so weary, And must rest his wings a-beat.
So slowly he glides his way, To where the fallen rest, And there he bides his time a bit Among the honored Vets.
And though he knows no words, Of the valiant warrior’s speech, Still they communicate, In a way that words can’t reach.
Having communed with those who lie, Among the rows of stone, The Eagle takes to flight again, And resumes his post alone.
In endless soaring circles, He surely makes his rounds. Guarding the fallen heroes, Who make this hallowed ground.
Copyright 2011 by Jack Cook
Thanks for posting! Nice backstory. Remembering the fallen today.
Thank you for sharing this poem and photo.
God Bless Our Fallen Warriors
My mom and dad are in there. The cemetery is next to the MSP airport. It’s also near the confluence of the Minnesota and Mississippi rivers and valleys; also near and a nice state park in the midst of the Twin Cities.
p
Viviane Ruch, the wife of the soldier whose grave the bird was resting on, was especially touched. Not only was she shocked to see the eagle watching over her husband’s grave, but she also told Glick that she and her husband used to photograph eagles together before he died.
Did I see you there on Saturday?
No, afraid not. I often attended ceremonies there in the past, but we recently moved to Kentucky.
I had that as the profile picture on my FB page for a long time.
Thanks for that reminder....I was trying to recall the story of the fallen hero at that grave.... blurry eye event.
Yay!! 3 day weekend!!
I stopped in with my sister to visit mom and dad.
Tears well in my eyes and I choke up seeing that beautiful picture . What raises my ire is the past 42 years of intentional undermining by our Godless government thieves who think nothing of the persons in these graves . The posturing and empty words spewed forth while pilfering this prosperous nation for their own personal comfort. I pray that those AMERICAN men and women who sacrificed everything and made it possible for me (born 1961) to grow up with running water / sewer and electricity ...abundant food and schools to learn how to read and write . I hope they know that their efforts do not fall on unappreciative people . May God comfort them . Thank you past AMERICAN generations for thinking of those who you knew would never see.
Tears well in my eyes and I choke up seeing that beautiful picture
........................................................
Beautifully written post that brought tears to my eyes. When Pearl Harbor was attacked December 7, 1941 I was four months old and cradled in my Granny’s arms in a rocking chair in her living room. Since then I’ve enjoyed 80 years of living in the greatest country in history, thanks to your husband and all those who are buried in that hallowed ground. To all who read this, please pray for our country.
bump
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.