Memorial Day 1971

In Memoriam 1971

         The last Monday of May was a warm and radiant spring day. Flowers were blooming in the front yards of the houses we hurried past on the way to the American Legion post. Mother looked sharp dressed in here Ladies Auxiliary dark blue skirt, crisp white shirt, blue crossover tie, white gloves and garrison cap. My sisters skipped along in their matching white, red polka dotted sundresses, while I trudged beside mother carrying the shopping bag filled with coin-laden cans and paper poppies that she had been offering at the Lincoln Savings Bank the past few weeks. I heard her remark something about the blue square pendant with a gold star that hung in the windows of a house we passed along the way. She sounded melancholy.
         Arriving at the post, mother told me to hurray, bring the cans of coins and poppies inside, and give them to the Mr. Hunter, the Treasurer. If I was quick I'd be able to get myself one of the jelly donuts in the box placed near the coffee the adults were helping themselves to before Assembly was sounded.
         Just as I was about to grab a donut, I heard the call to Assembly, and I ran to stand next to mother. Everyone gathered near the flagpole, the flag at half-staff, in the center of the courtyard. All the men had put on their garrisons and their women stood beside them. A detail of men in army dress blues carrying the flags, followed by another group carrying rifles, came marching in step to the flagpole. Their spit shined booths, accented with white leather gaiters up their legs, clicked on the concrete pavement. The polished steel helmets they wore shone bright in the sun. They marched to their place near the flagpole and ordered to halt and be at ease.
         With a bellowing voice, post Commander Myers thanked everyone for coming and asked the President of the Ladies Auxiliary to give the Invocation. My mother step to the lectern and delivered a succinct invocation asking for the blessings of the Almighty. A local politician was introduced next. He moved to the lectern next, thank everyone for inviting him, and said a few words about the grant he had secured for the post so it could erect the small gray granite slab that now stood in front of the flagpole. The Commander moved to the lectern and asked for a moment of silence for the fallen after which he began to read a list of names, their rank, and the name of a towns or ship. I had heard of some of them in history class and on the news: Argonne, Normandy, Anzio, Bataan, Midway, the Arizona, the Juneau, Pork Chop Hill, Husup>', Khe Sanh. Mrs. Keller cried out a little and wept at the last one. Mr. Keller held her up. He had tears in his eyes as well.
         At exactly twelve o'clock, the Commander ordered the flag raised. Old Charlie Logan, with the help of an Eagle Scout from the troop that met at the post, raised the flag with reverence. The Sergeant-at-Arms ordered the seven riflemen to attention and present arms. He ordered ready and the detail click-clacked their rifles and chambered a round. The order to aim and fire was given. The sudden loud bang made the kids shutter. A baby cried. The Sergeant ordered ready again. The detail reloaded with a click-clack. The brass shell casing flew into the air and tinkled on the payment. Some of the kids quickly grabbed them up and pocketed them. The order to aim and fire was given. Another loud bang. The order to ready was given a third time. More flying shell casings and another scramble to retrieve them. One landed near me. I snatched it and put it in my pocket. One more time the order to aim and fire was give. Another loud bang. The Sergeant-at-Arms ordered shoulder arms and attention.
         After the third volley, the men removed their garrisons and the post Chaplin said a prayer. The bugler played Taps. The silence was complete. Even the birds had stopped chirping. The air smelt like firecrackers. The Commander ordered the detail dismissed, and asked everyone to remain until it had left. Their boots clicked on the pavement as they marched away and disappeared into the post. The detail out of sight, the Commander thanked everyone for coming and invited all to join him for refreshments that had been prepared for the occasion.