Theodore's World

Well done Wild Thing. My 3rd Airlift Squadron asked me what I wanted for my retirement ceremony (Slush fund cap of $200)and I received Old Glory flown over the U.S. Capitol, a homemade oak shadow box and an 11 x 14 photo from the Arlington Nat. Cemetery 'Old Guard' with a USAF sentry at attention directly in front of the Tomb Of The Unknowns. You bet I am blest. - John 15:13 "Greater no love than this, than a man who lays down his life for a friend."
USAF sentry at attention

The picture of the Tomb of the Unknown is always awe inspiring. I always wonder what kind of boy he was on his first day in uniform and what kind of a man he was on his last day alive.

Thank you so much Chrissie and Mark.
This means so much, too many unknowns all zipped in bags, all tagged, just a simple registry in a cold GR awaiting a container for repatriation to some grieving family back home. Far too many unviewables, loved ones are denied even one last peek.
Those are the lucky ones who are known, these are known only to God. Their loved ones will never know their fate or their true resting place.
Most people have only seen the sanitary side not the sobering behind the scene that sticks with you forever.
How quickly we rush to forget!!!

As Darth says, "I am blessed".

Darth, Tom, Jack, thank you for commenting on this.

The whole idea of the Tomb of the Unknown was started by a WW-1 veteran Major Charles White Whittlesey. If the name sounds familar it should be they made a movie about him in 2001. The Lost Battalion. He was involved in the Mouse-Argonne offensive, 2 October 1918, they were the middle unit and subsequently the flanking units were cut off and Whittlesey's Battalion was totally surrounded and considered lost. They were cut off from friendly lines for almost a week. Out of a Battalion of 554 only 196 were able to walk out when they were finally relieved.

Whittlesey's and his XO were awarded the Medal of Honor, December 6, 1918.

When the Tomb of the first Unknown was finally funded, Now Lt. Colonel Charles W. Whittlesey was one of the Pall bearers for the unknown.

The whole experience must have affected Lt. Colonel Whittlesey much more than anyone was aware of for a few days after the entombment he was on a cruise. Around 2315, he said, good night to the Captain of the ship and left the smoking room. He was never seen again. He was reported missing the next morning. In his stateroom were a pile of letters to his family and friends where he tried to explain his feelings.

So what does a hero look like if you were to look at Charles Whittlesey he certainly would not stand out in a crowd. He did his job as he was ordered. So much so that it affected the rest of his life.

Mark, oh wow thank you so much for telling about Whittlesey. Goosebumps and tears for me right now reading this. I am in awe of those who serve our country and feel so humbled just to be able to know those who have served.

Thank you Mark.