After a glorious week of Autumnal beauty, we are back to rain on a special day. I doubt that many schools teach the hypnotic old line about ending the biggest and most destructive conflict in human history. Well, at least until the next one happened. But the thing about The Great War was that it ended on the 11th hour of the 11th Day of the 11th month of 1918.

Naturally, the name had to change when there was a bigger war to fight just two decades from those moments of silence on the front.

Millions served in both halves of what was the Greatest War, parts One and Two. Empires fell, new ones rose based on the mobilization of the people. My Grandfather served in France for the first one from the State of Ohio. Dad and everyone else of his generation were later sucked up in the global conflict that spanned the oceans and the many lands between them. The men were the soldiers and sailors then, but the wars changed the way women lived in our society, since they mobilized to operate the factories, till the soil and keep families intact.

Never was there such a mobilization. And the world spins on, so far avoiding the consequences of The Really Big One.

When I was living in Arlington, it was customary to attend funerals of old comrades, or stop by on days like this to pay them respect. I was used to that great cemetery, and intended to consign my ashes to the soil there to rest for eternity. There had been promises down through the years, military retirees and former notables of the Republic would be welcomed there. Then something changed.

Working at The Navy Annex on the hill above the Pentagon we were surrounded by the quiet beauty of Arlington National Cemetery. Required to stay fit, we jogged around the perimeter, respectful of the place of rest for so many. We knew we would join them at some point, so there was a certain proprietary affection for the place we veterans would spend eternity.

At least until recently. Arlington is running out of space for burials. We have fought several wars in recent years that have gone on for decades. Preserving the dignity of the place is important, and the Green Machine of the US Army is in charge of daily operations of the garden of stones. It has been since they took the property from General Lee and began to inter Union casualties of the civil war in the gardens of Arlington Hall so he could never return.

Ever vigilant, Congress directed the Army keep the cemetery open for at least another century. That means vets like me will no longer be eligible for interment there, according to a decision open for comment. In my experience, that means the decision has already been made.

You may wish to comment as well. Here is the dope:

“The Department of the Army proposes to amend this regulation in order to revise eligibility criteria for interment at Arlington National Cemetery.”

Don’t freak out: “This rule does not affect veterans’ burial benefits or eligibility at Department of Veterans Affairs’ national cemeteries.” But still…

“Consideration will be given to all comments received by November 16, 2020.”

Five days to go. If you have an opinion to share, you may comment at: www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/09/15/2020-17801/army-cemeteries
My comment was they should consider ripping down the sprawling Navy Annex. I wouldn’t mind being placed under where my desk was. Maybe we can bring some peace to it. Or maybe the farm will have to do.

(A place of peace at Refuge Farm, rural Virginia)

Copyright 2020 Vic Socotra
www.vicsocotra.com