PLACES

We’ve all driven by or visited specific PLACES more than once in our life.?? What I find fascinating is how the meaning of PLACES can change with each visit.?

For example:??

In 1998 I had the opportunity to visit Arlington National Cemetery, Washington DC as a Corporal in the United States Marine Corps. I was with a group of 12 young Marines.? All of us were in the Naval Academy program.? All of us vying for the opportunity to be commissioned officers one day.? We drove our white government van from Annapolis, MD to The Mall taking in the US Capital, Lincoln Memorial, and all of the normal sights.? We visited The Iwo Jima Memorial.? While Iwo Jima was a powerful image, visiting the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier at Arlington evoked a sense of responsibility to one another and country.?? The day I witnessed the precision of The Old Guard, charged with guarding 24/7/365 the remains of unknown soldiers from three major conflicts in US history, my decision was solidified.? The uniform I wore to work then was the right one at the time.

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In 2018 I had the opportunity to visit Alington National Cemetery, Washington DC as an officer on the national board of AT&T Veterans.? I was with a group of 10 other established co-workers at AT&T.? Most of us were veterans.? All of us were charged with carrying the mission of AT&T Veterans to support veteran co-workers and our communities toward connection and belonging.?? One evening, we did a scavenger hunt team-building thing.? We walked The Mall, solving questions, and taking pictures of the Vietnam Memorial, WWII memorial, and Washington Monument.?? That week, we had a productive planning session to establish our focus for the next year.? One of our final days included a visit to Arlington.? We were there in support of Wreaths Across America—a veteran-focused organization I continue to support today.? Each year, Wreaths Across America lays wreaths at military cemeteries before Christmas and whispers the name of the fallen service member to honor that person and ensure their memory never fades.?? We visited in January, during the clean-up party.? When you pick up the wreath, you whisper the name again.? I still remember the reverence when I uttered “James Thompson Morris Jr, USMC, Korea,” in front of his grave. ????

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Monday, 9/23, 2024 I had the opportunity to visit Arlington National Cemetery, Washington DC as a family member, witness to a funeral.? I always wanted to take my children back to DC, but knew it had to be when they had the capacity to appreciate the history and the tradition of democracy that DC represents.?? At ages 22 and 20, coupled with our reason for the trip, it was the right time.? Leading up to Monday, we had a wonderful weekend.? We toured The Mall.? We visited The Marine Barracks at 8th and I, The Iwo Jima Memorial, and The Pentagon.? We visited The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and experienced the changing of the guard, and a wreath ceremony followed by a lone trumpet rendering Taps.? On Monday, in that place of reverence, responsibility, and power, I witnessed the folding of a flag, a 21-gun salute, heard Taps again from off in the distance.? We laid to rest someone important to us. "Captain Stephen J. Stanton, US Army, Vietnam.”? My family, now, forevermore has a personal tie to this beautiful, somber final resting place for those who served, fought, and paid the ultimate sacrifice for us all.?

Whether the gravity of Arlington, your childhood elementary school, your church, or just passing by an old residence, it fascinates me how PLACES can speak differently with each passing. ????