Visiting Arlington National Cemetery is humbling indeed

Veteran and Halvor driver Mark Paus is extremely proud of the truck assigned him, naming the conveyance Honor. Honor is decorated with the seals of all branches of the military, as well as dog tags on the hood and a kneeling silhouette of a soldier on the back of the cab. Photo by Ginna Young

By Ginna Young

This past Memorial Day, loved ones placed flags at the graves of veterans, while members of American Legions saluted their fallen comrades. But in December of last year, a Holcombe couple got to pay respects to veterans in a very special way.

Mark Paus, driver for Halvor Lines, and his wife, Carol Paus, hitched up and headed to Arlington, Va., as part of the annual Wreaths Across America (WAA) campaign. Mark, an Army veteran himself, is no stranger to WAA, as he’s transported wreaths to cemeteries in Kansas, the last couple years.

Drivers are chosen, based on their veteran service, and Mark’s number finally came up to visit Arlington National Cemetery. He was also in for a treat for what he drove there.

Mark had mentioned that he wished he could have a specially decorated truck to make the delivery and his wish was granted. Halvor assigned him a veteran-themed cab, complete with all branches of the military, including a pair of dog tags on the hood.

Not only did Mark get to take the truck to Arlington for the special occasion, but it is his to drive until retirement.

“This is really an honor to do it, that’s why I named the truck Honor,” said Mark.

Carol tagged along for the trip, which was no easy feat, as she had to go through a background check, just to ride in the decorated truck.

“There are a lot of rules,” said Carol. WAA began when a 12-year-old boy saw someone lay a wreath on a lone veteran’s grave.

“He said, ‘Every grave out here should have a wreath on it,’” said Carol.

It all started from that and it’s now grown into a nationwide effort, with that little boy now in his sixties. When Mark and Carol reached Maine, they were able to see where WAA harvests boughs from their own trees and makes the wreaths.

Each wreath is made up of 10 balsam bouquets, representing the 10 special qualities that veterans embody. The evergreen represents longevity and endurance, while the forest scent is for purity and simplicity. The red bow represents the veteran’s great sacrifice and the circular shape is for eternity.

Once the travelers reached the staging area, 67 trucks were crammed into one area, then convoyed from there to Arlington, with a military and police escort, for 16 miles.

“They closed the interstate,” said Carol. “We were the only trucks on the interstate.”

Before they were allowed to enter the cemetery, however, military dogs had to sniff under the trucks, to make sure there were no explosives on board. Of the hundreds of vehicles that make the day possible, only the 67 carrying the wreaths were allowed entrance on wreath day.

The convoy also did not go in through the front gate, but instead, were taken through the back way, where the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier’s guards stay in the barracks.

“You come up through this military housing, you come up over a little rise and you turn a corner, and Arlington lays out in front of you,” said Carol. “And it takes your breath away. Because, all you can see, as far as you can see, are white headstones. It’s something I’ll never forget, as long as I live.”

While the trucks were unloaded, Mark had hoped to find a grave that matters to him.

“I found out I have a very distant relative interred at Arlington, in Section 13,” said Mark.

Alas, Mark’s delivery was in Section 18, two and a half miles to the section where Mark’s Civil War relative is buried. The distance was too far to walk and shuttles weren’t in the area, with the 45-minute window they had.

“He wasn’t supposed to leave his truck unattended for that long,” said Carol.

Carol had also hoped to locate her father’s headstone – that of a full-bird Air Force colonel – since he was cremated, with his ashes spread in the Pacific Ocean, off of Walt Disney’s boat, who was a friend of his.

“Coming from a military family background, the way I did, I think it means a lot more to me, than it would somebody that’s never been in the military…because we know what that place means and what it represents,” said Carol. She says she was overwhelmed with the sheer amount and energy of the volunteers who lay the wreaths on the graves. After removing one of the more than 4,000 handcrafted wreaths out of a truck, the volunteer straightens the bow, places it, then salutes or puts their hand over their heart, and repeats the deceased veteran’s name.

“You walk in there and it’s a feeling that comes over you – you can’t describe it,” said Carol. “That place humbles you like nothing I’ve ever experienced in my life.”

Perhaps, in a place where words fail, the pen can faithfully express the emotions felt. At least, that’s what Carol tried to capture in prose, as she grabbed paper and scribbled her feelings as they left that hallowed ground.

The sacred ground at Arlington, where fallen heroes rest. Anyone who visits there, has emotions put to the test. Row after row of white headstones, shows where each hero lay.

How many more will rest here, is really hard to say. All year long, the rows of white, row upon row, all the same. The only thing different about each one, is the fallen hero’s name.

Then, remembrance comes to Arlington, the third Saturday in December, when thousands of volunteers appear. To make sure all remember, trucks roll in, full of balsam wreaths. And volunteers unload each trailer. They place a wreath on every grave. Each airman, soldier, marine and sailor.

Remember those who have fallen, place a wreath and say their name. Honor those who are left behind and respect them just the same. Teach the children to carry on and respect the traditions of the past.

Then, we can all rest easy, knowing respecting the fallen, will last.

[caption id="attachment_179773" align="alignnone" width="300"] To transport the more than 4,000 wreaths laid upon veteran graves at Arlington National Cemetery, a special trailer was assigned to Mark Paus. Once at Arlington, the crew chief and crew posed to commemorate the moment. Carol Paus, Mark’s wife, said it was the most photographed truck there. Submitted Photo[/caption]   [caption id="" align="alignnone" width="241"] Arlington National Cemetery is so large, that each section can go for miles, all with white gravestones, marking the spot where a fallen hero eternally rests. Submitted Photo[/caption]