The 21-gun salute, even though the crowd of 300 was expecting it, made many watching the proceedings at the North Carolina State Capitol jump at the sharp crack of ceremonial gunfire. For some, the shock came from the novelty of hearing real gunfire. For others, it brought back an all-too- familiar memory.
“It scares me still,” said Robert Cook, a Vietnam veteran who is now a police officer in Wake County. “I jumped and it’s just — in your mind — if you hear gunfire you think, ‘get down.’”
Cook was drafted at 17 years old and served in Vietnam and Mogadishu where he said he made, and lost, many friends.
“Today’s not a happy day for me,” Cook said. “I don’t like Memorial Day. I’m proud of the guys that made it home, but it’s a heartbreaking day for me. I’m glad I [served]. I feel good about me and my country and what I’ve done.”
The Memorial Day ceremony consisted of the presentation of a wreath to honor those that have served in our military, as well as guest speakers. It was the 24th such ceremony organized by the Marine Corps League Tarheel Detachment.
The wreath, donated by Forest Hills Florist, is used nationally to symbolize those who have died in all branches of the military. The wreath was presented to the crowd before being moved into the State Capitol, where it will stay.
“This is in honor of all our departed,” said an emotional Bruce Goeden of the Marine Corps League. “We all come together to honor our departed in the only way we know how at this time, to give a wreath, and we in turn salute their service and their continuing service.”
After the presentation of the wreath and the flags by the color guard, a young Marine, Hannah Miller, sang “God Bless America.” Bagpiper Robert White followed the performance with a rendition of “Amazing Grace.”
The veterans in attendance were then invited to the “After the Firefight” statue to hear a reading of the names of the 39 remaining North Carolina soldiers who are still missing in action. By the statue, there was a display to honor those who never came home.
According to the National League of POW/MIA Families, the table in this display is round to symbolize our everlasting concern, it is covered with a white cloth to symbolize the purity of the motives of those who served, a single red rose is meant to remind of the families of those who served and a slice of lemon and a pinch of salt represent the bitter fate of those who were captured and the tears shed by those who still don’t have answers.
Also adorning the table were a lighted candle, representing hope for the soldiers’ return, dead or alive, a Bible representing the strength gained through faith and an inverted glass for the toasts that the dead can’t share. All this was set for an empty chair.
As for what Cook plans to do with the rest of his Memorial Day, he said he has a cold beer and swing with his name on it.
“I’m going to go look at the statue, salute it. Then I’m going to leave, I’ve got a little swing at my house with a flag near it. I’m going to have a cold beer and just meditate. That’s what I plan on doing.”
A group of veterans with the Marine Corps League Tarheel Detachment salute while a bagpiper plays "Scotland the Brave" during the Memorial Day ceremony at the Capitol on Monday.
