On this–and every–Veteran’s Day, there will parades and speeches and expressions of gratitude for those who served and those who still wear the uniform.
But sometimes, the day’ s real meaning is reflected in quiet moments, far removed from the official celebration. Over at FreeRepublic.com, someone posted a remarkable photo that captures the essence of service, sacrifice and gratitude:
It was taken by three years ago by amateur photographer Frank Glick, at Fort Snelling National Cemetery in Minneapolis. Running ahead of schedule on his morning commute, Glick took a detour through the cemetery and spotted the bald eagle, sitting atop a veteran’s tomb stone. He grabbed his camera and captured a timeless reminder of those who gave so much in the cause of freedom.
Since then, the photo has gone viral, and rightfully so. Minneapolis Star Tribune columnist Jon Tevlin wrote a 2011 column about the photographer, and the World War II soldier whose tombstone provided a perch.