This past Friday the weather was perfect. As I approached the National Cemetery I couldn’t help but notice the colors flying proud up on that knoll. Proud, yet only halfway up the staff as if bowing its head or bending a knee.
It is not an uncommon sight as the flag is usually displayed here in this manner in honor of a veteran being laid to rest. When I pass by and see it, I often wonder who it might be and what their story is. Today was different. This time I knew the all too brief story, but not all the details of this veteran, Ramon M. Taylor.
As I approached the ceremony site I knew I was in the right place; the Marine honor guard was in position, the members of the Marine Corps League were also there in their red jackets. I met Raymon only about a year ago and I immediately liked him.
As the motorcade approached, the friends and family gathered closer to the pavilion, the Marines took their places. When the ceremony began I realized the grief I usually felt in this circumstance was for loss of memories shared, but today it was clearly for lack of memories - those that I expected to collect in the future.
The three perfectly timed volleys fired by the rifle detail brought me back and the sound of taps filtered softly through the hallowed grounds. The flag detail began its duty of folding the colors, these for the last time, in honor of Raymon. The sergeant carefully and meticulously making sure it ended up a perfect triangle. I was impressed with the slow respectful salutes each time the triangle changed hands between the participants of the ceremony, each time being handed to a higher rank until the senior member of the detail received it. At one point the leader of the firing detail takes three spent shell casings and one at a time places them into the folded flag. As he did he boldly announced them individually, "For God; For Country; For Corps."
I know that Raymon was faithful to God, to his Country and to the United States Marine Corps. Semper Fidelis, Latin for "always faithful", is the Marine Corps motto and it was etched in Raymon's heart on Parris Island.
There were no streets lined with crowds waiving the flag, nor were there any media cameras present; but the Marines were there... faithfully respecting Raymon. Friday we were all there for Raymon and for his family.
If there is any validity to the line in the Marines Hymn, Raymon is now on duty, guarding heaven's streets; but only in a cerimonial way as it is a perfect place and Raymon has his own mansion.
Semper Fi! Raymon. Semper Fi!
Henry F. Stockman
sgt_rock_usmc@hotmail.com