Soldiers

 I had the urge to visit the local cemetery.  No reason.  Just wanted to go.  Truth is, I had been feeling compelled to go for about a week.  So, I went......alone.

When I got there I parked and walked over to the veterans memorial to look at the stones with the names of deceased soldiers carved onto them.  A statue in the center of the memorial depicts a wounded soldier in all of his gear being supported by a female soldier who is propping him up and giving him aid.  I walked around the statue, took some detail pics, and thought about my history with the military.

 The boots of the soldier in need caught my attention.

 Then the view from the back.  The female soldier assisting the male soldier.

 Their expressions....

The male soldier's hand holding his helmet, resting on his weapon.

There is no way I could comprehend what serving feels like.
I wish I could have served.  I still wish that.

So, I hung around the memorial and let my thoughts wash over me.  I climbed up the hill behind the memorial and looked out at the panoramic view.

 It was a good afternoon.