Two Soldiers, 'Taps' and a National Moment of Remembrance

Almost all states celebrate Memorial Day on the last Monday in May as a remembrance for those who gave their lives in our nation’s service.

To remind Americans of Memorial Day’s meaning, the “National Moment of Remembrance” resolution was passed in December 2000. The resolution asks that at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day, Americans voluntarily pause to observe a moment of silence or listen to “Taps.”

I wrote about the National Moment of Remembrance last year and sent my missive to a few friends. One of them, Elaine Huttenstine of Greer, S.C. — we both attended Greer High School but have not seen each other since — e-mailed the following reply:

“Shortly after lunch on Memorial Day, 2004, I read in Dear Abby about the 3 p.m. moment of remembrance,” Elaine wrote. “I suggested to Russ (her husband) that I thought it would be nice if he stood on our front porch and played ‘Taps’ on his trumpet at 3 p.m. His response was that the neighbors would think he was CRAZY!!

“After thinking about it, though, he decided he wanted to do it. I called my cousin Fred, who lives less than a quarter mile from our house – our house is on a hill and so is Fred’s. I told Fred what Russ was going to do and that I thought if he and his wife Kate stood on their porch they would probably be able to hear the trumpet because the wind was blowing in their direction.

“Now you need to know some background on this.

“Fred was 86 years old at that time (he is now 91 and still going strong). Fred was a fighter pilot in WWII, shot down behind enemy lines, captured and put in a German prison camp. I’ve forgotten how long he was in prison, but I remember that Allied forces freed them just shortly before he was scheduled for execution.

“Russ served in Vietnam. He was stationed in Korea and did periodic temporary duty in Vietnam as a sniper. He and some friends formed a band and entertained the troops in areas where it was too dangerous for the USO to go.

“On that Memorial Day, just before 3 p.m., Fred and Kate drove up in our yard (this was too important to him to just stand on his porch and hope to hear the trumpet). He was wearing his cap with his military insignias on it. Fred, Kate and I stood at attention in the yard facing the porch where Russ stood and played ‘Taps.’ It was a special moment – the patriotism and the emotion were indescribable. When Russ finished, we ALL had tears in our eyes, there were no words – no one could speak. Fred shook Russ’ hand, and the look between them was something only two soldiers could share. I’m in tears now just thinking about it.”

Elaine agreed to let me use her Memorial Day memory in a column. I asked how her husband was doing. She wrote that Russ died in 2005, five days before their 30th wedding anniversary.

Let’s not forget to pause at 3 p.m. on Memorial Day for a National Moment of Remembrance.

A Mother's Love

My wife, Carol, and I waited recently to hear news of a special baby’s arrival.

We watched Travis Fleming grow up. He’s the second son of Charles and Sandra Fleming of Greenville, S.C. Charles is one of my 15 first cousins on my mama’s side. He and Sandra have three sons and one daughter.

Travis – some call him Dr. Travis Fleming since he earned a PhD at Southern Baptist Theological Seminary (SBTS) in Kentucky – met Jenna Rivera, a SBTS graduate who grew up in Florida, and they married. Travis, 35, serves as senior pastor of Union Avenue Baptist Church in Memphis, Tennessee.

Last Christmas in Greenville, Carol and I saw Travis and Jenna, who were expecting their first child.

During her pregnancy, Jenna posted on her Internet “Facebook” site an ultrasound photo showing her baby – they decided to name her “Kara” – resting inside her womb. One picture showed the baby yawning or burping. The photos were a bit cloudy, but I saw the baby’s features.

On Thursday before Mother’s Day 2010, I logged onto Travis’ Facebook site and found this message he posted around 3:00 p.m. (Central Time in Memphis): “In the birthing room with Jenna; our little Kara is coming a little early. But, all is well so far...just a few more hours and we will see her little face! God has created all things in Christ for His glory!”

Travis posted this message at about 6:00 p.m. (CT): “Hello world; little Kara weighed in at 7 lbs 2 ounces...she is doing well, and Jenna was a pro! Thank you to everyone for your prayers and thoughts....”

Jenna had Travis post this on her Facebook site: “Little Kara is here…all is well. 7 lbs and 2 ounces...Praise the Lord for a healthy, beautiful baby girl...pictures forthcoming!”

On Friday, I found a photo on Jenna’s site. That picture showed a grinning Travis standing beside a smiling Jenna who lay in a hospital bed and hugged a bundled Kara.

I looked for a poem about young parents and their baby and found this one by Barbara Burrow:

“These Are the Years”

“These are the years, the gentle years / the soft and sentimental years / when wee little fingers / reach and touch / and little eyes gaze / with wonder and trust / when you love so tenderly / and so so much / these are the gentle years.

“These are the years, the rainbow years / the quiet, walk-on-tiptoe years / the years of laughter / and smiles and sighs / when both of you watch / with misty eyes / the tiny bed / where a cherub lies / these are the rainbow years.

“These are the years, the tender years / the blissful, sweet-surrender years / when your little treasure / from above / is the soul and purpose / and center of / your plans and dreams / and dearest love / these are the tender years.”

Eric Fromm said, “The mother-child relationship is paradoxical…It requires the most intense love on the mother’s side, yet this very love must help the child grow away from the mother, and to become fully independent.”

Carol gave birth in 1973 to Janelle, our first of two daughters (Suzanne is our second). As Janelle grew, Carol wrote this song for her:

“Baby Child”

“My baby child / As you place your hand in mine / How glad I am / That I’ve put my hand in the Lord’s / For I know I can’t lead you down / All life’s many roads / And so I’ve put my / Hand in the Lord’s.

“As you get older / And you take your hand from mine / Thank God, I know / You won’t walk by yourself / As you reach out to Jesus / He’ll be reaching back to you / And you can walk hand in hand / With the Lord.

“He’ll never lead you astray / Or take you the wrong way / You’ll be safe, holding the hand / Of the Lord.”

A mother’s role is not easy, but I believe God blesses mothers who point their children to Jesus.

“Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies…in her tongue is the law of kindness…Her children arise up, and call her blessed…” (from Proverbs 31).