A few days ago Chris graduated his honor guard training. Part of the graduation ceremony included a run through of an average retiree funeral. Now, I have seen a military funeral before. My grandfather was a WWII veteran, and he had military respects paid at his interment that were very moving. However, watching what my husband will be doing on a daily basis for the next year was profoundly touching.

It is likely that he will serve at over 700 funerals in the next year. Most of those will be retiree funerals and prior service members who have lived long, full lives with service to their country. Sadly, it is inevitable that a few of the funerals will be for the men and women currently serving in the Global War on Terror. It is made even more significant to me when I watch it and know that someday both my father’s and my husband’s funerals will include these honors.

An honor guard functions on precision and perfection. Every movement is an exercise in exactitude. Its execution must be flawless and performed with dignity and respect. The honor guard member’s bearing is steeled in the reverence of the duty that they are performing; no tear is shed, no posture ever slumped, no movement ever performed with anything less than planned deliberation. It is the ultimate showing of gratitude for the decedent’s valor and heroism, and it is absolutely beautiful to watch.

I have a feeling that the next year is going to be a changing one. Chris will be faced with much death, and much perspective and that will trickle down to our family. It is more difficult to gripe about a last minute change in my plans when I know that there is likely a grieving family behind it. It has been interesting thus far to watch my husband prepare his uniform for these details. While any military uniform is kept pristine, there is a new level of attention to detail present as he prepares to give these honors.

I am very pleased that he has been appointed to this special duty assignment. I think that what he gives of himself in this capacity is crucial to patriotism and national honor. I have always been proud of my husband’s service to our country, and proud of him as a good husband and father, but in watching him in this capacity, I am so very moved.