Rows of White

Ryan Walton

11/08/14

English 101 EA

Lamkin

Descriptive Essay

Rows of White        

        Families grieving and servicemen honoring their fallen brothers and sisters(sight). This sacred place was in a void where nothing else seemed to matter. Entering Arlington made me feel insignificant, as if every little thing I worried about was nothing to worry about at all. I can't imagine leaving this Earth and the people I know. The people these men and women left were destroyed, but in each and every one of their eyes I saw one thing. Pride. The families of the fallen were proud of what their fathers, mothers, sisters, and brothers have done. They are proud to call them family. I got this surreal feeling entering the site and seeing the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, the monuments and to visit a family friend.

        My family and I went to Arlington National Cemetery to visit a few family friends who were buried there. As we walked into the front gate, we were greeted by the clear blue skies, and the rainbow of flowers dotting the cemetery (sight). Fresh air and the smell of freshly cut grass filled me nostrils (smell).  Everyone entering the main gate sustained total silence as if words aren't enough to pay respects (sound). I left the busy world and entered a world of peace and serenity. Seeing the graves gave me the realization that every little moment is precious. Whether it's my friends and I am complaining that the teacher gives us too much homework or watching a sunrise with someone I care about. I couldn't imagine dying tomorrow but if I did, I would be saddened to see all the moments I have missed because I said I had something to do. So witnessing families grieving for the ones who are gone gave me a truth about this world. Nothing is worthless and every moment should be lived to the fullest.

        As my family and I headed to the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier, we pass a ongoing funeral for a fallen Marine. Men in their dress blues giving their fallen brother a last farewell (sight). As we walked by, the honor guard started their twenty one gun salute. Every shot sounded like they were signaling to heaven that another fallen brother is heading up (sound). The familiar silence follows me as we enter the site of the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier; Guarded by one soldier as he walks twenty one steps to the other side of the tomb. Each step taken with the upmost respect and honor for the fallen. The area was so silent the only things I could hear were the footsteps of the guard and the clouds move in the sky. Seconds felt like minutes, minutes felt like hours. Everything just slowed down and every moment felt an eternity and I experienced a sadness that couldn't be understood.  We leave the Tomb and headed for the JFK Eternal Flame. The sudden warmth of the flame overwhelmed the melancholy cold (touch). Men, women and children gather around to pay their respects to a family loved by millions. Through the darkness this flame shall light the way.

        We went in search of a family friend. He lost his life in Afghanistan in 2010 and my father wanted to see him one last time. I remember him helping us moving into this house and he gave me a bunch of his things. He seemed like a person I or anybody could relate to and was, is, and always will be a great man. After search for my father's friend for an hour we finally found his resting place. It was so peaceful and serene. His brothers stand in formation with him and overlooked this ghostly army was a tree, a tree that someone would expect in a place like this. Its branches cover the fallen with its calming shade (sight). Its dying and colorless leaves scatter the landscape just as the lively and colorful flowers do. Father gave his last respect to his fallen friend and comrade; To the others who stand beside him.