Arlington

It was a sunny morning...I'd hoped it would be cloudy and grey, and the weather ended up cooperating with me. By the time we drove into Arlington National Cemetery the sky was overcast and the air was heavy. Our family, loaded in two long black limos, followed the Army band, the hearse, and eight soldiers marching as pallbearers. Behind us was a long row of cars and six Harley-Davidsons carrying the Patriot Guard brought up the rear.

The screeching cry of a hawk greeted us as we exited the cars. It dove down and landed on a branch just above us as we walked through the long rows of white headstones towards the grave where Christian's body would be buried. That hawk echoed the cry that my heart has been screaming for the past five weeks.

The band played "America the Beautiful," the pallbearers folded the flag, the chaplain said "ashes to ashes...dust to dust," we sang the doxology:

"Praise God from whom all blessings flow,
praise him all creatures here below,
praise him above, ye heavenly host,
praise Father, Son, and Holy Ghost. Amen.

Four Blackhawk UH-60 helicopters, the same kind of aircraft that Christian died flying, flew over low, in tight formation in respect for the service that Christian gave as an officer, pilot, and soldier in the United States Army. Tears flowed down my cheeks. I know that Christian loved to fly! What a fitting tribute. If we had to do this thing, bury Christian, this is how it should have been done.

The Secretary of the Army Pete Geren, Wisconsin Congressman Paul Ryan, Major General Rowe representing General Casey (Chief of Staff) came to offer condolences. There were many of Christian's fellow soldiers; from his cadet days in ROTC at Wheaton College, from Korea, from rugby, from Ft. Rucker, AL, from Aviano, Italy. Washington DC was far from our hometown, but so many people showed up. What a testimony to the effect that Christian had in every area of his life.