I watched through my periphery provision vision, something that I learned to do in the military. I learned to stand at attention and look straightforward, but Still see what's going on around me and I could see, I could see the honor. Take the flag off of his coffin. There Sharp uniforms their white gloves, I watch They're crisp well rehearsed movements as they went through their procedures, Without shifting my eyes, I focused I his coffin

still trying to process it all so much. Emotion, someone Joy, so much sorrow so much light and laughter than love. So much life all now boxed up and silent in that wooden casket gone. The honor guard continued with their pre determined movements. One fold at a time, precise hands. moving like craftsman. as they carry on the red and white. stripes of the flag or consumed By the blue field, with it's white stars.

The flag, is finally folded into a neat thick triangle. The leader of the honor guard, a second Ass, petty officer, ground. the flag into his hands the execute It's a sharp facing movement takes a step and the next Another facing movement, Now, looking directly at me, eyes, are locked, but expressionless. We both know we have a job to do. He marches forward, he halts just in front of me. I slowly and precisely raise my right hand from my side and render a sharp salute. I pause.

I gradually lower the salute and then put my. and out to receive the flag. He moves it forward, in my hands. I clench it. The flag is heavy in my hands with pain and grief. I feel the weight of weight. I can barely support has it tears at my soul. He takes one step back and renders a slow Flawless salute it is my turn now I execute a right face. I take six steps forward. I focus on my breath.

my jaw in order to get some control over my emotions before she sees my face. I execute another right face. I am in front of her now. Take two steps forward. She whispers, a quiet, moan of anguish,. It is the loudest noise. I have ever heard I stopped in front of her still straight ahead, down onto one knee. I look at her. Her is broken.

Tears are trickling down her face, and yet she smiles at me. as if to say. It's ok,. I feel my emotions start to rush to the surface. I want to break down. I want to cry. But there is procedure to follow. And I am a military man and I know to follow procedure. I then say the words On behalf of the president of the united states, the united states navy and a grateful nation Please accept this flag as a symbol of. our appreciation of your loved ones. Honorable,

and faithful service place the full weight of that flag with all its agony and torment into her hands. She looked down at it and pulled in close to her chest and abs where did all and she looked back at me- I break protocol. Your boy was my hero. I told her. I loved him And I always will she smiled, but she nodded. She already knew that.

Her eyes returned to gaze at the heavy flag in her arms. I leaned in and we kissed her on the forehead. Was not only from me. She knew that too. Our stood up and assumed the position of attention I rendered the proudest salute. I could possibly muster partook one step back. I performed the right face and I marched off

and assumed my position back in the ranks. The guns were fired. the bugle played its solemn notes. Then my friend was buried in that sacred place. With many of my other friends. Our brothers in arms, now, together again and above it all Soaring in the sky was our flag old glory. Bearing Come on it, the weight of a million souls who gave their lives for it, bearing upon it the burden.

an anguish of mothers and fathers who gave their precious children for it. And yet it flies. It flies care Aloft. By freedom and by the precious memories of those who sacrificed everything to give us that freedom. Please, please. Remember what that flag represents wyatt flies.