Don't Thank Me, Remember The Fallen

2016-05-28T19:23:11-04:00

Memorial Day 1999: I was a young team leader stationed in north Italy with the U.S. Army’s Southern European Task force. I was nearing the end of my enlistment, and I was planning to leave the military and pursue college and a civilian career. Several of us had been selected for a detail at the Florence American Cemetery in Florence, Italy. I didn’t have a good understanding of what the ceremony was, but I volunteered to be a part of the setup crew thinking I was getting an easier duty.

The ceremony was long; lots of generals from the U.S. and Italy, talking about wars that happened in my grandfather's time. I tried to pay attention, but I didn’t really appreciate what was happening. After the ceremony, a few of us were busy picking up chairs, making sure the grounds were policed, and smiling for the civilians who had come to see their family members buried there. One gentleman, probably in his mid 50’s, came over to us with a flag. He explained it was his grandfather's, and it had been given to his family when his grandfather was killed during service in World War II in Italy. He was there with his family to visit the grave on this particular Memorial Day from somewhere in the States. The flag was loosely folded, but not properly. He asked us if we would fold it over his grandfather's grave. We were all a little moved, and didn’t know how to respond, but luckily my squad leader had the presence of mind to get us moving, and we performed the flag folding ceremony for the gentleman. After we presented it to him, he thanked us and walked off with a tear in his eye. We didn’t say much, as we quietly reflected on what had just taken place.

I never got his name, and I don’t have a picture of the ceremony, which is disappointing. That day made military service incredibly real. More than the daily tasks we were assigned, more than the deployments to countries we couldn’t pronounce, more than the friendships, that day we were there to honor our fallen dead. General George S. Patton said, "It is foolish and wrong to mourn the men who died. Rather we should thank God that such men lived.” As you enjoy this weekend with your family, wherever you are, whatever you are doing, don’t thank me for my service, just remember the fallen, those who made the ultimate sacrifice so that the rest of us might live free.

Response by SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL made May 28 at 2016 7:25 PM

2016-05-28T19:25:31-04:00

SGT Aaron Dumbrow the picture says it all! Great read and share.

Response by SFC Everett Oliver made May 28 at 2016 7:26 PM

2016-05-28T19:26:32-04:00

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid= [login to see] 195810&set=a [login to see] 425.17 [login to see] 695&type=3&theater&notif_t=like&notif_id= [login to see] 42066

Everett Oliver - It is memorial Day Weekend. Do not thank... | Facebook

It is memorial Day Weekend. Do not thank a Veteran for their service, But thank them for allowing you to remember the reason for the day.

Response by TSgt Joe C. made May 28 at 2016 7:33 PM

2016-05-28T19:33:26-04:00

Remember the heroes that gave their all and ultimate sacrifice! I just got goosebumps reading this, thanks so much for sharing SGT Aaron Dumbrow

Response by SGT Philip Roncari made May 28 at 2016 9:03 PM

2016-05-28T21:03:38-04:00

SGT Dumbrow -Great read,great post something felt just right reading this post on this Memorial Day weekend thank you.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made May 28 at 2016 10:42 PM

2016-05-28T22:42:53-04:00

Aaron, you have a keen photographic memory. Your description took me there. Thanks

Response by PFC Private RallyPoint Member made May 31 at 2016 9:40 AM

2016-05-31T09:40:43-04:00

I have only been to 2 military burial services.

the first was my ex husband's platoon sergeant. he was also the god father of our first born son. he was the only NCO that did not try to break us up because we were in the same unit but different platoons. he was killed in a very accident on Fort Riley KS. a tree fell on his car and crushed him in it. he suffered.

his service was held there on Fort Riley for his fellow unit members to attend, it was very heart breaking when they did roll call and got to his name...they called it several times with no response.

then the gun salute and taps played. I cried the entire service.

the second service was a graveside service for my Granddad when he passed away. The gun salute, taps, the flag folding and presenting to my uncle about killed me. if my husband that I am with now hadn't been there to hold me up I would have passed out from too much emotional distress.

if I were to attend another military service, I don't know how I would handle it. I see the ones that the patriot guard rides to protect and I cry. so I guess I would cry for the loss of the family's loved one.

Response by CW5 Andrew J. Foreman made Jun 3 at 2016 10:40 PM

2016-06-03T22:40:51-04:00

My wife and I visited the Florence American Cemetery and it was a beautiful site. We spent a couple hours there reflecting on past Soldiers that lost their lives and friends that never returned home.

Response by SA Jim Arnold made Sep 11 at 2016 12:57 AM

2016-09-11T00:57:16-04:00

Never forget

Response by SFC David Reid, M.S, PHR, SHRM-CP, DTM made Aug 8 at 2019 10:25 AM

2019-08-08T10:25:49-04:00

Don't forget about those who came before all of us!

Response by LTC John Griscom made May 28 at 2023 7:53 AM

2023-05-28T07:53:00-04:00

I visited several military cemeteries in Europe and was there for some of the Memorial Day celebrations. Always a moving experience, especially Patton's grave in Luxembourg.