No One To Fold The Flag

No One To Fold The Flag

By Milton E. McKinney ©

aka Breaktrack.

We had the word that a veteran passed with family and friends so few,

He'd earned his place in history's past by deeds performed for you

Viet Nam was where he'd been, the place that damaged his life,

And now he lay there all alone, no lover, friend or wife.

A sister remained, a brother-in-law, and a Preacher hired for the day.

His parents were gone many years before, and friends had drifted away,

Shoved away by the mental scars left on him by his war.

When we arrived there was no one there to move him from the car,

So six of us stepped up to gently lift him from the hearse

The weight we felt was only just a temporary curse.

The Preacher spoke and tried to comfort those few who remained.

The sisters tears were very few, her emotions so restrained.

So here we stood to honor one that none of us had known,

But a comrade he was and duty felt, so honor he was shown.

No honor guard, no bugler there, no twenty-one gun salute.

Just those of us who knew him not, but that point very moot.

A recording played of Taps and then just silence as we stood.

We'd paid respects and honored him the very best we could.

Then we realized there was no one to fold the flag

To have thought ahead to do this thing I saw I could not brag.

I found myself beside the casket a final task to do,

Then not alone as others also stepped up straight and true.

We took our place and looked toward the banner lying there

And took it up and held it straight with thoughtful loving care.

I'd not had the chance to fold a flag like this for many years.

The times before were glad, not sad, no falling piercing tears.

In Boy Scout camps so long ago, just children learning how

Or Army posts upon Retreat, but this is here and now.

I'd seen it done a thousand times and played it in my mind

I knew this was important so the courage I did find.

I knew we wouldn't have the skill of the Army's Olden Guard

But I also knew this simple task could just not be that hard.

But I knew we have to try our best, it is what he deserves.

It is expected in the end, for every one that serves.

So I looked with calm at my comrades who were waiting for me to share

The steps it took to fold this flag over the body of the veteran there

We walked up to the casket, positioning ourselves just so.

We grasped the corners and began as they started out long ago.

No professionals here, no burial detail, with many flags under their belt,

Only we few were standing there with the fears and emotions we felt.

They took my lead and I grasped the flag, and folded it over with care.

Then we tightened the cloth, and folded again, and the red and white stripes were there

My fingers followed my mental commands, fold in, fold over, fold true.

Thirteen folds till all the stripes were tucked into that field of blue

Then the little tricks, like tucking the end, slowly come back with ease.

With each slow fold I pressed on the edge, sharpened and deepened the crease

I knew my efforts were meager at best, but we did it correctly at least.

The fear and apprehension was there, but I had tamed that beast.

When we were done folding that flag, it lay there soft in my hands,

And I realized another thing, for which I had no plans.

There are words that go with handing that flag, to loved ones there that day,

Words that are true and have meaning for all, words I needed to say.

So to the sister I turned and walked up, knelt down and said to her true,

On behalf of the President, and a grateful nation, we present this flag to you.

A token of appreciation for your brother's faithful service, and honor due.

To fulfill an obligation felt by those of us, we proud, we few.

There was no more to be done that day as we rode away on our own.

We owned that thing which we had done, the honor we had shown.

While our hearts were heavy with another loss, another brother gone,

We knew he'd seen the care with which that final curtain was drawn.

I can still feel that flag in my hands as I go through day by day.

That short little time is gone now but with me it will always stay.

They say that which does not kill us, only serves to make us strong.

I am glad to say after this one day, I am glad they were not wrong.