Cemetery Escort Duty

[old salt]

I just wanted to get the day over with and go down to Smokey's.
Sneaking a look at my watch, I saw the time, 1655. Five minutes to go
Before the cemetery gates are closed for the day. Full dress was hot in
The August sun. Oklahoma summertime was as bad as ever--the heat and
Humidity at the same level-both too high.
I saw the car pull into the drive, '69 or '70 model Cadillac Deville,
Looked factory-new. It pulled into the parking lot at a snail's pace.
An old woman got out so slow I thought she was paralyzed. She had a
Cane and a sheaf of flowers--about four or five bunches as best I could
Tell.
I couldn't help myself. The thought came unwanted,and left a slightly
Bitter taste: 'She's going to spend an hour, and for this old soldier,
My hip hurts like hell and I'm ready to get out of here right now!'
But for this day, my duty was to assist anyone coming in.
Kevin would lock the 'In' gate and if I could hurry the old biddy
Along, we might make it to Smokey's in time
I broke post attention. My hip made gritty noises when I took the first
Step and the pain went up a notch. I must have made a real military
Sight: middle-aged man with a small pot gut and half of a limp, in
Marine full-dress uniform, which had lost its razor crease about thirty
Minutes after I began the watch at the cemetery.
I stopped in front of her, halfway up the walk. She looked up at me
With an old woman's squint.
'Ma'am, may I assist you in any way?'
She took long enough to answer.
'Yes, son. Can you carry these flowers? I seem to be moving a tad slow
These days.'
'My pleasure, ma'am.' Well, it wasn't too much of a lie.
She looked again. 'Mari ne, where were you stationed?'
' Vietnam , ma'am. Ground-pounder. '69 to '71.'
She looked at me closer.. 'Wounded in action, I see.
Well done, Marine. I'll be as quick as I can.'
I lied a little bigger: 'No hurry, ma'am.'
She smiled and winked at me. 'Son, I'm 85-years-old and I can tell a
Lie from a long way off. Let's get this done. Might be the last time I can
Do this. My name's Joanne Wieserman, and I've a few marines I'd
Like to see one more time.'
'Yes, ma'am. At your service.'
She headed for the World War I section, stopping at a stone. She picked
One of the flowers out of my arm and laid it on top of the stone. She
Murmured something I couldn't quite make out.
The name on the marble was Donald S. Davidson, USMC: France 1918.
She turned away and made a straight line for the World War II section,
Stopping at one stone.
I saw a tear slowly tracking its way down her cheek. She put a bunch on
A stone; the name was
Stephen X.. Davidson,USMC, 1943.
She went up the row a ways and laid another bunch on a stone, Stanley J.
Wieserman, USMC, 1944.
She paused for a second. 'Two more, son, and we'll be done.'
I almost didn't say anything, but, 'Yes, ma'am. Take your
Time.'
She looked confused. 'Where's the Vietnam section, son? I seem to
Have lost my way.'
I pointed with my chin.. 'That way, ma'am.'
'Oh!' she chuckled quietly.. 'Son, me and old age ain't too
Friendly.'
She headed down the walk I'd pointed at. She stopped at a couple of
Stones before she found the ones she wanted. S he placed a bunch on
Larry Wieserman, USMC, 1968, and the last on Darrel Wieserman, USMC,
1970. She stood there and murmured a few words I still couldn't make
Out.
'OK, son, I'm finished. Get me back to my car and you can go
Home.'
'Yes, ma'am.' If I may ask, were those your kinfolk?'
She paused.
'Yes, Donald Davidson was my father, Stephen was my uncle, Stanley was
My husband, Larry and Darrel were our sons. All killed in action, all
Marines.'
She stopped. Whether she had finished, or couldn't finish, I don't
Know. She made her way to her car, slowly and painfully.
I waited for a polite distance to come between us and then double-timed
it over to Kevin, waiting by the car.
'Get to the 'Out' gate quick. I have something I've got to
do.'
Kevin started to say something, but saw the look I gave him. He broke
the rules to get us there down the se rvice road. We beat her. She
hadn't made it around the rotunda yet.
'Kevin, stand at attention next to the gatepost. Follow my lead.' I
humped it across the drive to the other post.
When the Cadillac came puttering around from the hedges and began the
short straight traverse to the gate, I called in my best gunny's voice:
'Tehen Hut! Present Haaaarms!'
I have to hand it to Kevin; he never blinked an eye--full dress
attention and a salute that would make his DI proud.
She drove through that gate with two old worn-out soldiers giving her a
send-off she deserved, for service rendered to her country, and for
knowing duty, honor and sacrifice.
I am not sure, but I think I saw a salute returned from that Cadillac.

Instead of 'The End,' just think of 'Taps.'

[NAULTRICK1]

Thank you, your signature says it all.

[Hawken50]

Thanks Harry for the story and your service.

[Razor]

Durn allergies...yeah, that's it... allergeries..
..Causing the stingin' eyes and lump in throat.. 

[Micanopy]

Semper Fi!

[Bulldog lady]

Harry and all of you   Thank you for serving