In my life, I've been to a many of cemetery, some huge and some small. I've been to some that made me gasp because of their beauty and reverence to the deceased there in, and I've been in some that made me wonder exactly why the family wanted that cemetery. I've had some where I've never left concrete and the cemetery workers took over from that point to the grave, and I've been in some where I've had to wear shin guards and boots to protect from rattlesnakes that plague the cemetery graves.... just the place I'd want to be buried in!Today was like every other day. I went to a cemetery. This cemetery, however, was different. I've been before, when I was in school and working for a funeral home that frequented the cemetery, but it had just been opened and wasn't quite the cemetery it is now.
Today I traveled to the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery to bury a spouse of a veteran who passed away suddenly at a "young" age. I've been to National Cemeteries before, but this time I actually stood there for a bit and just soaked it all in. The family had requested the song "You Raise Me Up" to be played at the committal service, and it's certainly not the first time I've heard the song at a funeral, as you can only imagine. This time, though, was a different version. It was by a group called "Celtic Woman" who have an orchestra, violins, and a classical sound. Not really my style, but it was nice.
The placement of the cemetery could have been a bit better, seeing as it was just across a lake from where Chinook helicopters took off and landed every five minutes from an Army Reserve Base, but then again, it may have been just the perfect spot. I couldn't help but think about the sound of those helicopters being such a saving grace to so many of those guys that have since been buried in that cemetery. It gave me chill bumps to hear the sound overhead as I saw all of those grave markers.
Today I traveled to the Dallas Fort Worth National Cemetery to bury a spouse of a veteran who passed away suddenly at a "young" age. I've been to National Cemeteries before, but this time I actually stood there for a bit and just soaked it all in. The family had requested the song "You Raise Me Up" to be played at the committal service, and it's certainly not the first time I've heard the song at a funeral, as you can only imagine. This time, though, was a different version. It was by a group called "Celtic Woman" who have an orchestra, violins, and a classical sound. Not really my style, but it was nice.As the song played, I found myself looking across the valley, just above the trees, across to a hill that was covered in white grave markers of fallen heroes. I must say I had to fight back the tears as I listened to the music and saw our flag flying at half mast, and I thought about how blessed I am to live in America.
The placement of the cemetery could have been a bit better, seeing as it was just across a lake from where Chinook helicopters took off and landed every five minutes from an Army Reserve Base, but then again, it may have been just the perfect spot. I couldn't help but think about the sound of those helicopters being such a saving grace to so many of those guys that have since been buried in that cemetery. It gave me chill bumps to hear the sound overhead as I saw all of those grave markers.I'd say it was a pretty good day for me. Thank God for America and all who have fought and died for her. If you ever get a chance, go to DFW National Cemetery just off of I-20 in Dallas. For those who travel I-20 frequently, it's where the hill splits I-20 in DFW. You certainly won't regret it.
-approved by Farley Wells, CMDI who's gonna let this one slide.
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