Fridays At The Pentagon
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> I was not aware of this practice until now. I am pleased that it happens
> and am astounded that it does happen, given the political situation that
> exists in our government today.
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>
> It really breaks my heart to know that we didn't know this goes on every
> Friday, well at least I didn't know. Instead, I guess the media feels it's
> more important to report on Hollywood stars as heroes. I hope this article
> gives you a sense of pride for what our men and women are doing for us,
> everyday, as they serve in the armed forces here and abroad.
>
> ____________________________________________________________
> _________________________
> IT HAPPENS EVERY FRIDAY! WERE YOU AWARE?
>
> Mornings at the Pentagon
>
> By JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY
> McClatchy Newspapers
>
> Over the last 12 months, 1,042 soldiers, Marines, sailors and Air Force
> personnel have given their lives in the terrible duty that is war.
> Thousands
> more have come home on stretchers, horribly wounded and facing months or
> years in military hospitals.
>
> This week, I'm turning my space over to a good friend and former
> roommate,
> Army Lt. Col. Robert Bateman, who recently completed a year long tour of
> duty in Iraq and is now back at the Pentagon.
>
> Here's Lt. Col. Bateman's account of a little-known ceremony that fills
> the halls of the Army corridor of the Pentagon with cheers, applause and
> many tears every Friday morning. It first appeared on May 17 on the Weblog
> of media critic and pundit Eric Alterman at the Media Matters for America
> Website.
>
> "It is 110 yards from the "E" ring to the "A" ring of the Pentagon. This
> section of the Pentagon is newly renovated; the floors shine, the hallway
> is
> broad, and the lighting is bright. At this instant the entire length of
> the
> corridor is packed with officers, a few sergeants and some civilians, all
> crammed tightly three and four deep against the walls. There are thousands
> here.
>
> This hallway, more than any other, is the `Army' hallway. The G3 offices
> line one side, G2 the other, G8 is around the corner. All Army. Moderate
> conversations flow in a low buzz. Friends who may not have seen each other
> for a few weeks, or a few years, spot each other, cross the way and renew.
>
> Everyone shifts to ensure an open path remains down the center. The air
> conditioning system was not designed for this press of bodies in this
> area.
>
> The temperature is rising already. Nobody cares. "10:36 hours: The
> clapping starts at the E-Ring. That is the outermost of the five rings of
> the Pentagon and it is closest to the entrance to the building. This
> clapping is low, sustained, hearty. It is applause with a deep emotion
> behind it as it moves forward in a wave down the length of the hallway.
>
> "A steady rolling wave of sound it is, moving at the pace of the soldier
> in the wheelchair who marks the forward edge with his presence. He is the
> first. He is missing the greater part of one leg, and some of his wounds
> are
> still suppurating. By his age I expect that he is a private, or perhaps a
> private first class.
>
> "Captains, majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels meet his gaze and nod
> as they applaud, soldier to soldier. Three years ago when I described one
> of
> these events, those lining the hallways were somewhat different. The
> applause a little wilder, perhaps in private guilt for not having shared
> in
> the burden ... Yet.
>
> "Now almost everyone lining the hallway is, like the man in the
> wheelchair, also a combat veteran. This steadies the applause, but I think
> deepens the sentiment. We have all been there now. The soldier's chair is
> pushed by, I believe, a full colonel.
>
> "Behind him, and stretching the length from Rings E to A, come more of
> his
> peers, each private, corporal, or sergeant assisted as need be by a field
> grade officer.
>
> "11:00 hours: Twenty-four minutes of steady applause. My hands hurt, and
> I
> laugh to myself at how stupid that sounds in my own head. My hands hurt.
> Please! Shut up and clap. For twenty-four minutes, soldier after soldier
> has
> come down this hallway - 20, 25, 30.. Fifty-three legs come with them, and
> perhaps only 52 hands or arms, but down this hall came 30 solid hearts.
>
> They pass down this corridor of officers and applause, and then meet for
> a
> private lunch, at which they are the guests of honor, hosted by the
> generals. Some are wheeled along. Some insist upon getting out of their
> chairs, to march as best they can with their chin held up, down this
> hallway, through this most unique audience. Some are catching handshakes
> and
> smiling like a politician at a Fourth of July parade. More than a couple
> of
> them seem amazed and are smiling shyly.
>
> "There are families with them as well: the 18-year-old war-bride pushing
> her 19-year-old husband's wheelchair and not quite understanding why her
> husband is so affected by this, the boy she grew up with, now a man, who
> had
> never shed a tear is crying; the older immigrant Latino parents who have,
> perhaps more than their wounded mid-20s son, an appreciation for the
> emotion
> given on their son's behalf. No man in that hallway, walking or clapping,
> is
> ashamed by the silent tears on more than a few cheeks. An Airborne Ranger
> wipes his eyes only to better see. A couple of the officers in this crowd
> have themselves been a part of this parade in the past.
>
> These are our men, broken in body they may be, but they are our brothers,
> and we welcome them home. This parade has gone on, every single Friday,
> all
> year long, for more than four years.
>
> "Did you know that? Don't send it back to me, just send it on its way
> as
> you see fit.
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