(Editor’s notice: This piece was initially printed on February 23, 2024.)
After studying that CPAC was going to be held in Washington DC this 12 months, and having by no means attended CPAC earlier than, I made a decision to attend. The choice wasn’t arduous to make — it is a presidential election 12 months, it is in our nation’s capital, so let’s go!
However there was one other issue that drove my need to go, which I strongly consider was crucial a part of it. Since my time within the Marine Corps and the struggle, I by no means acquired to go to DC so I might go to Arlington Nationwide Cemetery. A Marine brother of mine is buried there in Part 60, and to have the ability to take the time to go to him, pay my respects, and honor him and the opposite heroes who lie there could be an honor I’ll by no means be capable of get again. down
As I used to be planning my journey, I used to be in a position to assist set up a gaggle of RedState contributors to put a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. I requested for and obtained permission from Arlington Nationwide Cemetery employees to take action, and with out skipping a beat, Townhall Media executives provided to pay for the wreaths we’d place. Once I first began planning this, I had no concept that it could encourage so many individuals to hitch and assist me.
Thursday, February twenty second I traveled from my lodge to the cemetery. Throughout my transient go to to Arlington, my thoughts raced with the glory of laying a wreath on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and informed myself to not screw it up. However I used to be additionally considering of my brother Marin who’s resting in Part 60. Corporal Ian Thomas Zook was killed in motion on October twelfth, 2004 throughout our second deployment to Iraq. Corporal Zook was assigned to CAAT Pink (Mixed Anti-Armor Workforce) and was killed whereas we have been responding to an ambush of one other of our items in Husaybah, a small city within the Al Anbar province of western Iraq. border with Syria. He was 24 years previous.
Zook is a hero, a real hero, together with all of the brothers we misplaced on that deployment, and he is buried in Part 60 and a sea of fellow American heroes in all of Arlington – and let’s not neglect the 155 different nationwide cemeteries throughout the nation. I am a troublesome man myself. I believe, usually not inclined to indicate emotions or be emotional. The issues I’ve skilled in my 42-plus years of life, particularly in fight and my time as a deputy sheriff, have given me that skill. Nevertheless, as quickly as I stepped on that hallowed floor, it hit me like a ton of bricks. I boarded a bus that took me to Zuk’s grave and gravestone and mentioned hiya to an previous brother and talked to him in silence. I informed him that he’s missed by many and that his reminiscence and spirit won’t ever die. I put my quarter on high of his gravestone and mentioned my remaining goodbye.
I went with my Redstate companions to pay homage to God recognized however to the troopers.
Managing Editor Jennifer Van Laer and I can be laying wreaths on the grave that day. Once we arrived, we noticed the tomb sentinels conduct the altering of the guard earlier than conducting the wreath laying ceremony. With the ability to personally see sentinels from 3 of the militaryrd Not surprisingly, infantry regiments, the Outdated Guard, patrol the cemetery grounds. The honour, precision, dedication and ability these women and men show deliver you each pleasure and satisfaction. But it surely brings you disappointment and respect for what the act actually means.
Jennifer and I watched, together with the remainder of the Redstate staff in attendance, because the Sentinel walked forwards and backwards in entrance of the tomb, shouldered the rifle precisely 21 paces, dealing with the tomb and strolling 21 ft within the different course earlier than stopping for 21 seconds. All of that is achieved in full silence aside from the Sentinel’s footwear clicking as he walks or turns. As we each met the host and have been briefed on what was going to occur and what we would have liked to do, I felt the gravity of the occasion. Jennifer and I have been going to do what People can solely do with categorical permission — go to the graves and lay a wreath to honor fallen warriors recognized to God.
I can safely say for all of us from RedState who attended, and even those that could not make it, that the present was extremely highly effective and had everybody. Visiting Arlington Nationwide Cemetery normally is a really highly effective expertise, however having the ability to honor the unknown humbles you. It places rather a lot into perspective.
Lastly having the ability to go to Arlington Nationwide Cemetery to see my brother Ian Zook was one thing I had wished to do for 20 years. However I lastly mentioned my goodbyes on October twelfth, 2004 to somebody whom I noticed for the final time. I lastly discovered him once more and now I’m honored to have the ability to inform the world in regards to the American hero Ian Thomas Zook, Corporal of Marines. I used to be additional honored together with my colleague Jennifer Van Laer to put a wreath on behalf of Redstate and Townhall Media on the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. America is a greater nation due to these women and men buried in Arlington, and we owe our lives to them.
Associated:
Photos of Arlington Nationwide Cemetery and people we misplaced
