Colors

My new career finds me back at a computer (Yes!) located in a room affectionately referred to as the cave. The cave, itself, is located in one of many buildings on a Military Base.

Today, after a week, my timing of a vending machine break was impeccable! As I made my way through the maze, I happened near a door and could hear a bugle. I walked to the door and started to open it. As I did, there on our back landing stood one of the Marines that works in the cave, at full attention, still as a statue. I stopped in my steps, and turned my attention to where he faced, and took in the sight of the flag blowing in the breeze. I finished listening to the Colors and felt a tingle of patriotism, as well as feeling that I had invaded someone’s privacy.

I have continued to think about the respect that is shown and why the flag, and music, and freeze frame images of those standing (or driving) triggers goose bumps. Patriotism, yes, but as I process it, I wonder, how often do we see this example of respect? I think it is the sight of such respect that touches those feelings. I feel privileged this morning to have happened upon this daily ritual. I feel grateful to all the many people, which I now work in the midst of, that have made our way of life possible. I wish all could see and feel what I felt this morning - more often than the Fourth of July celebration or Memorial day. In fact, those days do not truly even touch on what I saw this morning.


I think I will have to make a point to take a quick break at that time more often…

Being brilliant is no great feat if you respect nothing.

Johann Wolfgang von Goethe

Pin It