Yesterday commemorated Gold Star Mother and Family Day.⠀ ⠀ Gold Star Mothers and Families are people that have lost loved ones — members of the military that paid the ultimate sacrifice. This day is intended to recognize and honor those mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces.⠀ ⠀ ——⠀ ⠀ Gold Star Mothers were named after the custom of hanging a service flag near the front window in military households. The flag featured a star for each family member serving their country – living members were denoted in blue but gold stars honored family members who were killed while in duty.⠀ ⠀ Today we not only remember these service members, but we also look to those they left behind, the families, and loved ones that supported them and paid their own sacrifice.

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/yesterday-commemorated-gold-star-mother-and-family-day.⠀-⠀-gold-star-mothers-and-families-are-pe-1.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingYesterday commemorated Gold Star Mother and Family Day.⠀ ⠀ Gold Star Mothers and Families are people that have lost loved ones — members of the military that paid the ultimate sacrifice. This day is intended to recognize and honor those mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces.⠀ ⠀ ——⠀ ⠀ Gold Star Mothers were named after the custom of hanging a service flag near the front window in military households. The flag featured a star for each family member serving their country – living members were denoted in blue but gold stars honored family members who were killed while in duty.⠀ ⠀ Today we not only remember these service members, but we also look to those they left behind, the families, and loved ones that supported them and paid their own sacrifice.

Yesterday commemorated Gold Star Mother and Family Day.⠀ ⠀ Gold Star Mothers and Families are people that have lost loved ones — members of the military that paid the ultimate sacrifice. This day is intended to recognize and honor those mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces.⠀ ⠀ ——⠀ ⠀ Gold Star Mothers were named after the custom of hanging a service flag near the front window in military households. The flag featured a star for each family member serving their country – living members were denoted in blue but gold stars honored family members who were killed while in duty.⠀ ⠀ Today we not only remember these service members, but we also look to those they left behind, the families, and loved ones that supported them and paid their own sacrifice.

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/yesterday-commemorated-gold-star-mother-and-family-day.⠀-⠀-gold-star-mothers-and-families-are-pe.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingYesterday commemorated Gold Star Mother and Family Day.⠀ ⠀ Gold Star Mothers and Families are people that have lost loved ones — members of the military that paid the ultimate sacrifice. This day is intended to recognize and honor those mothers who have lost a son or daughter in the service of the U.S. Armed Forces.⠀ ⠀ ——⠀ ⠀ Gold Star Mothers were named after the custom of hanging a service flag near the front window in military households. The flag featured a star for each family member serving their country – living members were denoted in blue but gold stars honored family members who were killed while in duty.⠀ ⠀ Today we not only remember these service members, but we also look to those they left behind, the families, and loved ones that supported them and paid their own sacrifice.

United States Air Force Chaplain (Colonel) Martin McGuill’s (Ret.) last Arlington National Cemetery service was September 25th at 9 AM. This photo was from the first service I did with Father McGuill in 2003, he had already been at the cemetery for decades (he’d like to say since before Moses’ beard grew long). On each of the hundreds of services we were on together, I watched as he was able to connect with each family in a compassionate and meaningful way. He would often quote St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel, when necessary, use words.” Or close a service by saying, “May your love, sore on eagles wings to touch the face of God, hallelujah, hallelujah.” And, he would tell his groaners. He touched the lives of so many families in their time of need and he touched the lives of the people that worked with him. We are all better for having spent time with him, especially in the few minutes before a service would start when he would just chat with you for a moment. I know I will miss those times. Here’s one more of his quotes, “There are a lot of tragic funerals at Arlington, but this service is different, it is a big T for triumph.” Off he goes into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into the sun… Thank you Father McGuill! @usairforce @official_usafhonorguard @AirForceChaplainCorps

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/united-states-air-force-chaplain-colonel-martin-mcguills-ret.-last-arlington-national-cemetery-servi-1.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingUnited States Air Force Chaplain (Colonel) Martin McGuill’s (Ret.) last Arlington National Cemetery service was September 25th at 9 AM. This photo was from the first service I did with Father McGuill in 2003, he had already been at the cemetery for decades (he’d like to say since before Moses’ beard grew long). On each of the hundreds of services we were on together, I watched as he was able to connect with each family in a compassionate and meaningful way. He would often quote St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel, when necessary, use words.” Or close a service by saying, “May your love, sore on eagles wings to touch the face of God, hallelujah, hallelujah.” And, he would tell his groaners. He touched the lives of so many families in their time of need and he touched the lives of the people that worked with him. We are all better for having spent time with him, especially in the few minutes before a service would start when he would just chat with you for a moment. I know I will miss those times. Here’s one more of his quotes, “There are a lot of tragic funerals at Arlington, but this service is different, it is a big T for triumph.” Off he goes into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into the sun… Thank you Father McGuill! @usairforce @official_usafhonorguard @AirForceChaplainCorps

United States Air Force Chaplain (Colonel) Martin McGuill’s (Ret.) last Arlington National Cemetery service was September 25th at 9 AM. This photo was from the first service I did with Father McGuill in 2003, he had already been at the cemetery for decades (he’d like to say since before Moses’ beard grew long). On each of the hundreds of services we were on together, I watched as he was able to connect with each family in a compassionate and meaningful way. He would often quote St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel, when necessary, use words.” Or close a service by saying, “May your love, sore on eagles wings to touch the face of God, hallelujah, hallelujah.” And, he would tell his groaners. He touched the lives of so many families in their time of need and he touched the lives of the people that worked with him. We are all better for having spent time with him, especially in the few minutes before a service would start when he would just chat with you for a moment. I know I will miss those times. Here’s one more of his quotes, “There are a lot of tragic funerals at Arlington, but this service is different, it is a big T for triumph.” Off he goes into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into the sun… Thank you Father McGuill! @usairforce @official_usafhonorguard @AirForceChaplainCorps

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/united-states-air-force-chaplain-colonel-martin-mcguills-ret.-last-arlington-national-cemetery-servi.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingUnited States Air Force Chaplain (Colonel) Martin McGuill’s (Ret.) last Arlington National Cemetery service was September 25th at 9 AM. This photo was from the first service I did with Father McGuill in 2003, he had already been at the cemetery for decades (he’d like to say since before Moses’ beard grew long). On each of the hundreds of services we were on together, I watched as he was able to connect with each family in a compassionate and meaningful way. He would often quote St. Francis of Assisi, “Preach the Gospel, when necessary, use words.” Or close a service by saying, “May your love, sore on eagles wings to touch the face of God, hallelujah, hallelujah.” And, he would tell his groaners. He touched the lives of so many families in their time of need and he touched the lives of the people that worked with him. We are all better for having spent time with him, especially in the few minutes before a service would start when he would just chat with you for a moment. I know I will miss those times. Here’s one more of his quotes, “There are a lot of tragic funerals at Arlington, but this service is different, it is a big T for triumph.” Off he goes into the wild blue yonder, Climbing high into the sun… Thank you Father McGuill! @usairforce @official_usafhonorguard @AirForceChaplainCorps

The Washington Monument, pinkish gold in the morning sunlight can be seen here rising above Section 43 in Arlington National Cemetery.

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/the-washington-monument-pinkish-gold-in-the-morning-sunlight-can-be-seen-here-rising-above-section-4-1.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingThe Washington Monument, pinkish gold in the morning sunlight can be seen here rising above Section 43 in Arlington National Cemetery.

The Washington Monument, pinkish gold in the morning sunlight can be seen here rising above Section 43 in Arlington National Cemetery.

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/the-washington-monument-pinkish-gold-in-the-morning-sunlight-can-be-seen-here-rising-above-section-4.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingThe Washington Monument, pinkish gold in the morning sunlight can be seen here rising above Section 43 in Arlington National Cemetery.

A bugler from the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own”, plays Taps during military funeral honors for a U.S. Air Force veteran in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. ⠀ ⠀ Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than the call Taps. The melody is both eloquent and haunting.⠀ ⠀ Per ANC historians, “Taps has been used by the U.S. armed forces since the civil war — at the end of the day, during flag ceremonies and at military funerals. Whenever a service member is buried with military honors anywhere in the United States, the ceremony concludes with the three-rifle volley and the sounding of Taps on a trumpet or bugle. ⠀ ⠀ Melancholy yet serene, the call lingers in memory.”

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/a-bugler-from-the-u.s.-army-band-pershings-own-plays-taps-during-military-funeral-honors-for-a-u.s.-1-1.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingA bugler from the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own”, plays Taps during military funeral honors for a U.S. Air Force veteran in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. ⠀ ⠀ Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than the call Taps. The melody is both eloquent and haunting.⠀ ⠀ Per ANC historians, “Taps has been used by the U.S. armed forces since the civil war — at the end of the day, during flag ceremonies and at military funerals. Whenever a service member is buried with military honors anywhere in the United States, the ceremony concludes with the three-rifle volley and the sounding of Taps on a trumpet or bugle. ⠀ ⠀ Melancholy yet serene, the call lingers in memory.”

A bugler from the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own”, plays Taps during military funeral honors for a U.S. Air Force veteran in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. ⠀ ⠀ Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than the call Taps. The melody is both eloquent and haunting.⠀ ⠀ Per ANC historians, “Taps has been used by the U.S. armed forces since the civil war — at the end of the day, during flag ceremonies and at military funerals. Whenever a service member is buried with military honors anywhere in the United States, the ceremony concludes with the three-rifle volley and the sounding of Taps on a trumpet or bugle. ⠀ ⠀ Melancholy yet serene, the call lingers in memory.”

[igp-video src="" poster="https://www.arlington.media/wp-content/uploads/2020/09/a-bugler-from-the-u.s.-army-band-pershings-own-plays-taps-during-military-funeral-honors-for-a-u.s.-.jpg" size="large"]

Continue ReadingA bugler from the U.S. Army Band, “Pershing’s Own”, plays Taps during military funeral honors for a U.S. Air Force veteran in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia. ⠀ ⠀ Of all the military bugle calls, none is so easily recognized or more apt to render emotion than the call Taps. The melody is both eloquent and haunting.⠀ ⠀ Per ANC historians, “Taps has been used by the U.S. armed forces since the civil war — at the end of the day, during flag ceremonies and at military funerals. Whenever a service member is buried with military honors anywhere in the United States, the ceremony concludes with the three-rifle volley and the sounding of Taps on a trumpet or bugle. ⠀ ⠀ Melancholy yet serene, the call lingers in memory.”