Cemetery Watchman (Not a joke)

FrankChastain · 07-11-2012, 05:40 AM

She headed for the World War I section, stopping at a stone. She picked one of the flower bunches 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 and more tears flowed. '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. She 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 and more tears flowed.

'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 Davidsonwas my father, Stephen was my uncle, Stanley was my husband,Larry and Darrel were our sons. All killed in action, all Marines.'

She stopped talking. 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 service road fast. 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 putter ing around from the hedges and began the short straight traverse to the gate, I called in my best gunny's voice: 'TehenHut! 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 far beyond the realm of most.

I am not sure, but I think I saw a salute returned from that Cadillac.

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

As a final thought o n my part, let me share a favorite prayer: 'Lord, keep our servicemen and women safe, whether they serve at home or overseas. Hold them in your loving hands and protect them as they protect us.'

Let's all keep those currently serving and those who have gone before in our thoughts.

They are the reason for the many freedoms we enjoy

'In God We Trust.'

Sorry about your monitor; it made mine blurry too!

If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under!

Now If You are a patriot ..... pass

this on to spread the word for support of all our

SOLDIERS and VETERANS !

treessavoy · 07-11-2012, 03:16 PM

Yes, my screen got blurry but there is no shame shedding a tear for those who served and paid the most severe price for they gave their all so we could be able to shed that tear in freedom.

God Bless them all!

Jim Rountree

Jim Wahl · 07-11-2012, 07:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treessavoy

Yes, my screen got blurry but there is no shame shedding a tear for those who served and paid the most severe price for they gave their all so we could be able to shed that tear in freedom.

God Bless them all!

Jim Rountree

Amen Tree, amen! Jim

.

Dennis P Chapman · 07-12-2012, 12:07 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treessavoy

Yes, my screen got blurry but there is no shame shedding a tear for those who served and paid the most severe price for they gave their all so we could be able to shed that tear in freedom.

God Bless them all!

Jim Rountree

Did the same to me jim amen.

David Lee · 07-12-2012, 12:36 AM

Nice Urban Legend, but none of the names from Viet Nam are on the wall. I bet this came from the scene from the DI with Jack Webb

treessavoy · 07-12-2012, 01:44 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by David Lee

Nice Urban Legend, but none of the names from Viet Nam are on the wall. I bet this came from the scene from the DI with Jack Webb

Even if these names are not real and the whole story is fake, the plain fact is that this same type scenario has been played out far too many times in Cemetery's all over the U.S. far too many times for too many years.

And you making light of it sickens me. It's obvious that you never had to make that choice to commit your life for your country.

JimR

David Lee · 07-12-2012, 02:18 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by treessavoy

Even if these names are not real and the whole story is fake, the plain fact is that this same type scenario has been played out far too many times in Cemetery's all over the U.S. far too many times for too many years.

And you making light of it sickens me. It's obvious that you never had to make that choice to commit your life for your country.

JimR

I never made light of it, there are true stories that should be told of real heroes. I repect eery person here that has served our country either by serving in the armed servces or serving as a firemen or police officer.

07-11-2012, 05:40 AM	#1
FrankChastain Senior Member Join Date: Mar 2009 Location: Trussville, Alabama-Originally from Vidalia,GA Posts: 642 Likes: 9 Liked 3 Times in 3 Posts	Re: Cemetery Watchman (Not a joke) Part 2 She headed for the World War I section, stopping at a stone. She picked one of the flower bunches 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 and more tears flowed. '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. She 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 and more tears flowed. '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 Davidsonwas my father, Stephen was my uncle, Stanley was my husband,Larry and Darrel were our sons. All killed in action, all Marines.' She stopped talking. 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 service road fast. 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 putter ing around from the hedges and began the short straight traverse to the gate, I called in my best gunny's voice: 'TehenHut! 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 far beyond the realm of most. I am not sure, but I think I saw a salute returned from that Cadillac. Instead of 'The End,' just think of 'Taps.' As a final thought o n my part, let me share a favorite prayer: 'Lord, keep our servicemen and women safe, whether they serve at home or overseas. Hold them in your loving hands and protect them as they protect us.' Let's all keep those currently serving and those who have gone before in our thoughts. They are the reason for the many freedoms we enjoy 'In God We Trust.' Sorry about your monitor; it made mine blurry too! If we ever forget that we're one nation under God, then we will be a nation gone under! Now If You are a patriot ..... pass this on to spread the word for support of all our SOLDIERS and VETERANS !

07-11-2012, 03:16 PM	#2
treessavoy VIP Member Join Date: Feb 2009 Location: Dunnellon,FL Posts: 1,103 Likes: 0 Liked 4 Times in 4 Posts	Re: Cemetery Watchman (Not a joke) Yes, my screen got blurry but there is no shame shedding a tear for those who served and paid the most severe price for they gave their all so we could be able to shed that tear in freedom. God Bless them all! Jim Rountree __________________ Jim Rountree

07-12-2012, 12:36 AM	#5
David Lee VIP Member Join Date: Oct 2007 Posts: 1,168 Likes: 487 Liked 346 Times in 126 Posts	Re: Cemetery Watchman (Not a joke) Nice Urban Legend, but none of the names from Viet Nam are on the wall. I bet this came from the scene from the DI with Jack Webb Last edited by David Lee; 07-12-2012 at 12:42 AM.