I was arrested this morning on my drive to work.It wasn't the police who made the arrest. It was an interview of the U. S. Marines who serve in the solemn ceremonies where fallen warriors from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan arrive home in flag-draped caskets.
WAMU radio journalist Kavitha Cardoza conducted the riveting interviews, which really were more a seamless montage of voices telling intensely personal stories than a question and answer session. It was the best radio I've heard in years: Informative, intimate, inspiring, touching.
Click here for the podcast ("Bringing Home the Fallen") to hear the interview for yourself -- then tell me what you think.
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This was a great interview. It was reminiscent of a recent experience.
ReplyDeleteThe other day, we attended a memorial service for a Marine spouse. We knew nothing about her prior to the service, just that she was the wife of a Marine, just like me. We arrived at the chapel a bit early. It was not full, so we took a seat near the front, among a dozen or so Marines and senior military representatives. (There is a relatively small number of Marines here.)
As the Major stood up to eulogize his wife, he could barely speak without breaking down. I wept too. Through my quiet tears, I stole glances at the Marines seated next to me. They were stoic, as Marines are, but somehow I was comforted. When the service was over, we stood up to leave and I turned to look behind me to see the pews filled with Marines. Most, I knew, did not know the family personally but, like us, felt compelled to be there.
I felt so blessed to be among my Marine family. It was my honor to be there.