Early this fall, my wife and I made a trip down to Florida. We were not going on vacation this time; we were going to a memorial service for Uncle Chuck, who was my wife's uncle.
Uncle Chuck was a victim of Alzheimer's disease and lived out the end of his life in a Florida nursing home. The last time we saw him, he still recognized us and I gave him a haircut with some borrowed barber tools. The resident barber had quit and Uncle Chuck needed a crewcut.
In the end, he passed away peacefully with thoughts of once again seeing his wife who had preceded him in death.
About two weeks prior to our arrival, Uncle Chuck was interred in the Florida National Cemetery in Bushnell. He served in the United States Army as a nurse on the hospital ship Marigold during World War II. He cared for troops who were injured or wounded in battle defending our country. It was not a very glamorous duty or one that movies are made of, but very important to the wounded men under his care.
According to the Department of Veterans Affairs, there are 2,911,900 WW II veterans who are still living. Unfortunately they are passing away at the rate of 900 per day, or 328,500 per year.
Many of these men and women qualify to be buried in one of the 125 National Cemeteries scattered across the country. This was my first visit to a National Cemetery for a military memorial service.
On the day of the memorial service, we traveled to the cemetery in a caravan. Upon our arrival, we were instructed to stay in line, in one of four lanes at the entrance. We learned that at this National Cemetery they carry out as many as 50 funeral services per day. For a task so great, organization is a necessity.
When our scheduled time arrived, we were led to the memorial sight. Waiting for us was a Marine Honor Guard standing curbside at attention. They escorted us to a small open-air pavilion and the immediate family sat while the rest gathered around them. Three Marines in full uniform stood before us and saluted the family. They then unfolded the ceremonial flag and refolded it with mechanical precision.
Off in the distance a Marine bugler played taps and we all flinched at the rifle salute that followed. I don't think there was a dry eye in our group or a throat without a lump as we witnessed this meaningful event.
One of the Marines then presented the flag to Uncle Chuck's daughters and, on behalf of the United States of America, thanked them for their father's service to his country. After a eulogy given by Uncle Chuck's pastor, we journeyed to the gravesite for one last good-bye. On our way there, we passed orderly fields of grave markers honoring thousands of his comrades.
Uncle Chuck was loved and respected by his friends and family. He was but one of millions of veterans, past and present, who put their lives on the line for you and for me. Nov. 11 is Veteran's Day. It's a time to honor those who have fallen in battle, who are still living, or who have quietly passed away in hospitals or nursing homes. We all owe them a great deal for the many sacrifices they made to secure the freedoms and privileges we enjoy daily. If you know a vet, take a moment between now and then to thank him or her for serving their country. God Bless America!
Ed Hungness and his wife owned their cottage on Fife Lake for six years before moving there after his retirement in 2005. His writing draws from life experiences and a love for the outdoors and northern Michigan. He can be reached at edhungness@yahoo.com or care of the Record-Eagle.
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