THE PASSING OF A SOLDIER

He stood behind the hatch of his higgins landing craft, bullets thumping on the hatch as if the grim reaper himself were knocking. He couldn't have imagined what carnage lie on the other side of that hatch but that reality was soon to be revealed.

As the hatch fell so fell many comrades right at his feet as he struggled to find a place of refuge. There wasn't any time to think, no time to fear but fear was his driving force as he wittnessed the blood red beaches of Omaha. Damn the enemy! Damn them! he must have thought as he went from one cover to the next even using the bodies of brethren to shield him from certain death.

Somehow though, he made it, but not with out a price. Once home he would have nightmares screaming out in the night BLOOD AND MUD THERE IS BLOOD IN THE MUD, terrifying the family as they would rush to his side to comfort him.

The war raged on for years in his mind but he found final refuge in God. Grandpa began to teach sunday school and could be found at the altar of his church every sunday until one day the war in his memory was over and he would finally be able to live in peace until the day came for him to leave the world, the world that had brought to him a hardship that no man should ever have to endure.

Grandpa got his final marching orders from the supreme commander relieving him of his duties here on earth, and he passed on to the halls of glory to be honored for eternity. There he sits with God and all of those who have gone on before him leaving us with his memory and example of strength,courage and dedication to God Family and country.

At his funeral, as the family gathered under the tent in front of the casket covered with the flag of his country which he loved so dearly, we all reflected on his life.Pride swelled up in my heart but the tears were contained I wanted to be strong like him.

That strength waned though as a group of war veterans walked up to the casket dressed in their uniforms and carrying their rifles, one by one they they stood behind the casket and paid their respect. It was what happened next that brought it all home.

His comrades gently reached down and folded the flag once, from end to end. With one soldier at each corner they marched out from under the tent and stood in the sunlight holding that beautiful flag at an angle facing the family and then taps was sounded.

Taps, that haunting tune played in respect for all who gave their lives for our freedom and at that very moment his comrades in one movement SNAPPED!! That flag open and for a fleeting moment Granpa was alive! He was alive in the flag as the sun reflected off the brilliant colors of Red, White and blue. There he was, in that flag with all of our honored war veterans and the founding fathers bidding us farewell and FREEDOM.

Today when I see old glory flying I remember Grandpa, I remember the sacrifice he made to keep that flag flying and I vow to always protect that flag to always respect it because it is not just a flag it is the memory of many brave men and women who gave it all so that we could have our liberty. GOD BLESS GRANPA AND GOD BLESS AMERICA.