Wednesday, December 23, 2009
A Moving Tribute Ceremony in the UK and in Canada
For nearly three years, British military dead from Afghanistan have been brought back to the RAF base at nearby Lyneham, and then the cortege slowly makes its way through the Wiltshire market town of Wootton Bassett. The whole town turns out to pay silent tribute to the fallen, and to allow the grieving family members to place flowers atop the hearses. Local veterans and current service personnel attend, and dip their regimental colors in a respectful and moving way.
When I first saw these repatriations, as they were shown on the BBC (this particular video was taken by someone attending the ceremony), I was absolutely moved to tears. As the church bell tolls in the Two-Minute Silence, and the crowds fill the sidewalks of Wootton Bassett, it is such a British way to pay tribute. And in the subsequent months, Wootton Bassett has come to represent the entire UK, in mourning these grievous losses.
Whatever one's feelings and opinions on whether US or UK troops should even be in Afghanistan in the first place, one cannot help but be moved by the sight of ordinary British citizens turning out in their thousands, when one of these repatriations takes place. the citizens of Wootton Bassett, and the leaders of the town, are to be commended for their marvelous and understated way of saying goodbye to these brave soldiers.
And when I watch this, I wonder: why can't WE here in the US do something like this? In the not-too-recent past, it's been the custom to bring the remains of US troops killed in Iraq and Afghanistan home to Dover AFB in Delaware, but without any 'real' ceremony by ordinary Americans.
Our Canadian neighbors do something similar, with their "Highway of Heroes", on Highway 401 in Ontario, outside of Toronto. These service personnel first come into CFB Trenton, before making their journey:
Lee Greenwood's "God Bless You Canada" is pretty cool, too.
My point is this: why should we here in the US 'hide' our casualties when they return home? Surely someone in a town close to Dover AFB can arrange to put some kind of similar ceremony together? In my opinion, our British and Canadian friends know how to properly honor those who serve, and give the 'last full measure of devotion'. It's time for us Americans to do the same.
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Pat nice work!
ReplyDeleteEXCELLENT POST! Why indeed, couldn't this be done in the US? The UK is a rather small country and has a long history of terrible losses in war. The memory is deeply etched in a tradition-conscious people that still thinks of itself as a family, as diverse and rapidly changing as it is. Perhaps the Canadians have inherited much the same characteristics. Those are good things, IMHO. Americans are less traditional and don't have as deep a sense of community, and while generous with their help to others, in peace and war, tend to focus on their private lives. Still, if we had the "right" leadership, I think such a tradition could be introduced here. But it may be that our politicians (whether lib or conservative) are afraid of elevating public consciousness of war's reality and costs because people might hold them responsible for those things. Again IMHO, those would both be good things. If a few bereaved families could be persuaded to have their fallen hero's Arlington ceremony televised live and nationally, it might have a tremendous effect. What network would be brave enough to carry it, though, and without commercial exploitation? The only alternative might be a grass-roots movement. I'd join it!
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