 The Marine Corps War Memorial at Arlington National Cemetery |
| Around the base is inscribed: |
| “In honor and memory of the men of the United States Marine Corps who have given their lives to their country since 10 November 1775 Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue“ |
To a Marine, the sky coloring was unusual – a light blue, thin and distant. The scene was Arlington National Cemetery.
On a single pedestal before me stood the memory of five men; the glory of one nation; the pride of one corp.
They fought for peace, justice, and freedom in a war plagued, strife wrought time.
They stand bronzed, still, silent. Reassuring, uniting, proclaiming.
Above them, what they and their friends fought for, lived for, died for; a piece of cloth; a dream of man’s; a fraction of history.
Their bravery is America’s life. Their willingness is America’s pride. Their strength is America’s glory.
[The text above was written on Nov. 18, 1969, before I had ever actually visited the statue or cemetery. Based on the pictures I’d seen, I didn’t realize there were six Marines in the statue. — KMAB]
