The young Marine - perhaps 20 years old - came in on crutches and in uniform. He followed Paul Wolfowitz and was in turn followed by a Ranger Brigadier General. You could tell he was badly wounded and moved slowly on his specially designed crutches. His left arm was amputated above the elbow, and his right arm was amputated just below the elbow. The back of his neck and head was badly scarred and was partially without hair.
All three stopped for a minute, behind the passing line of people, somberly facing the President's casket. The Marine then shifted his crutches to his left hand and then saluted with the stump of his right arm.
What a picture of tribute. What a picture of sacrifice. What a moment of respect and admiration. It was a moment Ronald Reagan would have surely treasured. It was a moment for the ages.
Bob Dole stood quietly in the back of the Rotunda on the other side, almost hidden behind the crowd of people moving through the line.
Thanks for the description. He showed such courage.
Any chance of seeing this in the NY/LA Times? (rhetorical question)