A Day of Honor

I am a latecomer to KMHS, to my regret. I like to think my path to membership was serendipitous.  The pieces just all came together several months ago.

I knew my father had traveled to Germany to attend a dedication ceremony for the Kassel Mission Memorial. I knew my father was a co-pilot on one of only four B-24 bombers that made it back to Tibenham. I knew that he was very fortunate to be alive and that I was very fortunate to be born.

My cousin Donald Lerch has been a member and had an interest; he sent me a VHS tape of “Pride of the Nation”. Luckily, I’m probably the last person in America to still have a VHS player! He also sent me my father’s mission records. And my dad, who never struck me as particularly sentimental, had saved many memorabilia from his Army Air Force years and particularly, the Kassel Mission. So, I knew it was a pretty big deal.

So when I saw the opportunity to attend the funeral service for Lt. Pile and Sgt. Triplett, I felt compelled to attend. I wanted to honor my father, his service, and the sacrifice of all those brave men. By my presence, I wanted to show the Pile and Triplett families that their loved one’s sacrifice was recognized and valued.

I knew it was going to be a very emotional day for me when, at the beginning of the funeral procession, I heard my most favorite hymn being played, “Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing”. One particularly poignant verse:

“Come my Lord, no longer tarry
Take my ransomed soul away
Send thine angels now to carry
Me to realms of endless days”

I had already been primed for teary-ness, driving through Arlington National Cemetery to the Chapel, I glanced over a low wall and saw the rows upon rows of white headstones, so iconic. I had to catch my breath. I was immediately overcome by the enormity of all those lives lost. It was real.

In the Chapel, as the procession moved forward, I was awestruck by the Honor Guard, their discipline, precision and obvious gravity with which they took this, their service. Seeing the flag-draped caskets, thinking Hallelujah! - they are finally home and receiving the honorable burial they earned and deserve. I was also impressed with the many generations who attended, that they and their families knew the importance and honor of this funeral service. I fear that many younger adults just can’t relate to war, sacrifice and patriotism, but that was not evidenced here.

On to the cemetery where there were so many emotional and solemn moments. Seeing the caskets lowered to the ground signified that Lt. Pile and Sgt. Triplett were that much closer to their final resting place…. the exactness and respect with which the flags were folded and then presented to family members… Taps being played in its mournful cadence… I was so honored to be there to witness and share this wonderful and moving tribute. I shed many tears and my heart was so full of emotions: joy, sadness, pride, regret.

I also had the honor of presenting an actual recovered artifact from the crash site to a family member, as did Linda Gibson, while Linda Dewey delivered a lovely dedication speech to the families.

My dad rarely talked about the war or his experiences; I so wish he had because now I have so many things I wish I could ask. Of course, maybe I’m just appreciating it so much more now because of maturity and realizing how very precious life is, and how fast it goes by. I think he was greatly affected by surviving that day. Why them and not me? And I’ve thought along the same lines-why did he survive so that I was even born? It’s miraculous that I WAS born. I am grateful for my life and feel a great sadness for all whose lives were lost, too young, and children who may have been. It makes me want to be my very best because life is truly a privilege.

Today was voting day. I always feel such pride when I exit that booth. We owe our very freedoms, and lives to these brave men and their comrades who made the sacrifice and made this possible.