fatrap
Well-Known Member
I received this from a good friend and thought it worth sharing with others who care.
Fatrap
CHRISTMAS VISITORS
They came in single file, about 50 of them. Silent ambassadors, to tell us who they were. They moved at a slow pace, passing us for over 20 minutes. Some walked, while others pushed their wheel-chairs as best they could. Some were helped along on crutches by their wives
or sweethearts. They were escorted front and rear by U.S. Marines in dress blue uniform. I have never seen prouder Marines.
The Amputee Ward from Walter Reed Army Medical Center visited the Pentagon today.
Some wore looks of resolution, pride, or dignity. Many had
prosthetic devices where limbs used to be. All of them wore looks of surprise. We, the 26,000 employees of the Pentagon, lined both sides of the A ring (the inner ring of the Pentagon) to watch them pass and welcome them with thunderous applause. Half a mile they walked through a gauntlet of grateful fellow citizens two and three deep,
who reached out to shake the hands of the remaining good arms, or grasp the remaining fingers of hands that have given ultimate service.
They walked through us to the main concourse, where they were met by the Army Band and color guard playing marshal music for them, and where the mall was filled with additional people who swelled the applause.
Many of us just called out loudly, Thank You, because we didn't know what else could be said; thank you for your service to us. The applause never stopped. None of them spoke. They just cried. So did we.It was the closest I have been to Christmas in a long time.
