I was invited to and attended the National Prayer Luncheon the day before the presidential inauguration last year. What a thrill it was to be there! Many prominent people were in attendance (I even spoke with John Ashcroft briefly) and it was a very memorable event.
But what was even more memorable for me was my visit to Arlington National Cemetery. I had been to Washington DC before, but had not had the opportunity to visit Arlington before. I was in DC with a fellow professor who is a physician and is originally from Bangladesh. He had fought in the war with Pakistan, became a POW, and had almost been executed. All of his fellow soldiers were shot en masse, but he had not been hit. He was lying in a pit, listening as the enemy walked up and down, firing into the bodies to make sure they were dead. It started raining and the soldiers left to get out of the rain before they got to him. He was able to escape after that (and was the only one to do so). The Cemetery had meaning for him as well, even though he was not a US veteran.
After president Bush was sworn in, we had just a few hours before our flight home. It was raining and threatening to snow, but we negotiated the subway system and soon found our way out to the Cemetery. My primary goal was to view the Changing of the Guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns. We were cutting it very close to make our flight, but we waited for the next change anyway. It was bitterly cold and windy. It started snowing. Then the ceremony began. It was extremely solemn. It was also one of the most moving moments of my life.
As tears formed in our eyes, I felt the full impact of the sacrifice so many have made for this country. Because of the values that have been instilled in me for both God and Country, I can honestly say that I understand why so many risked their lives and I know that I could also do so without hesitation. You just know.
Hurriedly, we caught the shuttle and then the subway to the airport, both better for the experience we had just had. We made our flight home to join the living, but will never forget the dead.
Steve Martin, PA-C
