Honoring Those Amidst Gardens of Stone

Veterans Day Brings the Commander in Chief to Arlington, Where James Gordon Meek Was Visiting a Friend's Son

(CBS)  This past week's Veterans Day observances had deep personal meaning for countless Americans . . . not least our guest contributor James Gordon Meek:

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I hear "Taps" playing every night. (I live near the Arlington National Cemetery.)

I'm a Washington correspondent for the New York Daily News, but when I visit the Gardens of Stone, I go as a friend and relative of our "honored dead."

Men like Pearl Harbor fighter ace Ken Taylor, who is almost like family; Korean War veteran Ed Lenard, who is family; and Iraq War hero Dave Sharrett, whose father is a good friend.

Ken and Ed survived their wars and died as old men. But Dave was 27 when he was killed last year in battle.

He's buried in Section 60, with many of the fallen from Iraq and Afghanistan.

President Obama laid a Veterans Day wreath on Wednesday at the Tomb of the Unknowns. I was in Section 60 that morning when he made an unscheduled stop before huddling with his war council on sending more GIs into harm's way.

In a bone-chilling drizzle, he and the first lady walked through the rows of gleaming white headstones.

I saw the President embrace grieving widows, mothers and battle buddies tending to the graves of loved ones. He asked about each one. And then the President suddenly extended his hand as he strolled over to Dave Sharrett's grave.

I gripped it and told him who I was visiting.

He read Dave's headstone carefully - and asked about him.

Dave's father was my high school English teacher. And we knew his son as a funny kid we called "Bean," who used to crawl around at our feet. We used to look after Dave, but when he grew up, he watched over all of us. He was one of the toughest troopers in the 101st Airborne, I told the President.

What I didn't tell him was that Dave was killed by friendly fire, or that the Army tried to whitewash it. It wasn't a moment for complaint - it was about a young hero's ultimate sacrifice.

Now, cynics may say this was just an Obama photo op. But they weren't there looking him in the eye. I saw a man fully carrying the heavy burden of command on a weighty day.

He didn't have to go to Section 60. And White House aides didn't screen any of us. If a widow or grief-stricken parent had chewed him out, the press there would have reported it.

I did tell him I'm a journalist. You know what the President said?

"Just because you're a journalist, James, doesn't mean you can't honor your friends here."

[prado1234]

This piece brought on a knot in my throat and tears welled up in my eyes. It reminds me of PFC Daniel Jay Agami USMC, who perished in Iraq due to an IED that his humvee drove over. He was just as young as your friend. Your report was so amazing that I wrote down the name of the show (watch it but didn't know name) and days later I am responding. Thanks for a very beautiful tribute to a hero and for America being able to see that Obama is human. No cameras needed to see that in this piece.
Kudos and Google Danny's name above, he too, is a hero!

[morkam]

Good article but I feel it's focal point was more appropriate for Memorial Day. Memorial Day honors servicemembers who died in service to their country or as a result of injuries incurred during battle. Deceased veterans are also remembered on Veterans Day but the day is set aside to thank and honor living veterans who served honorably in the military - in wartime or peacetime. It is on these living veterans, from both wartime and peacetime, that should have been the main focus of a Veterans Day article. Maybe the country needs a memorial that honors all male military members and not just specific battles or wars. There is such a memorial for all females who served in the military which is located at the entrance to Arlington Cemetery. That would give us National Memorials for all members of the military as well as the National Memorial (Arlington Cemetery) for all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for their country.

[myohorengekyo]

I am a Vietnam veteran of two tours. I don't understand your comment. I had friends who died in Vietnam and I feel it is ok to honor them at anytime. Also the president was in the cemetery so why not comment on the brave men and women who have died in this terrible war

[team6ramrod]

The "CBS Sunday Morning" commentary by James Gordon Meek on the Gardens of Stone up on YouTube. Don't know why CBS hasn't posted this: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4WL1ex6YHA8

[mandyinseattle]

I tried to post this last night, but it's not here...

Do a youtube search for:

"NY Daily News Reporter Recounts Meeting with Obama at Arlington National Cemetery"

and you'll find msnbc's coverage of this story. It's not as good as Sunday Morning's, but it's something. Hopefully the SM piece will be posted.

[senreed]

I would very much appreciate the video being put online. This was a great piece and many of my colleagues would appreciate seeing it. Keep up the great work James and Sunday Morning.

[jstaro]

why do some of you clowns keep Injecting your spin, i.e. lousy propaganda, into replies while attempting to say the opposite! It frankly makes You, not others, look as ignorant and cultish as you are! Especially on a topic such as this! Please crawl back into that hole you came out of and just pass on by with your simpleton replies next time!!

'Nam '70-'71

[SharpieAccent]

I'm not a huge fan of this show/network but this is one of the best pieces of journalism that I have seen on any weekend news show in a long time. Whether you like this president or not, it?s nice to see that there is still some integrity left in the world of television news reporting. Real stories about real people and the tough choices that our president and nation are confronted in these challenging times, without a partisan angle, has a lot of creditability. Please POST THE VIDEO and rebroadcast this segment in other CBS venues.

[ftodaro]

Where is the video. This deserves to be shared!!!!!!

[jse50]

I can not improve upon the excellent commentary concerning the power and simplicity of Mr. Meek's wonderful segment. I would re-affirm, however, the request that Sunday Morning post the video - Its a powerful reminder of why the show remains relevant.

[wll57Chicago]

As a weekly watcher of this show, this segment pratically brought me to tears. Myself as an Air Force vet, my eyes were glued to the TV screen as i watched our Commander and Chief showed an above and beyond compassionate moment to unexpected citizens. Mr. President -I didn't vote for you but you definately have seemed to show us a personnel side your life and actions since you've become president that the public has never seen before in any other president.

[mandyinseattle]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mpga8w0yj6g

This isn't the Sun Morn segment, but it's the same story told on msnbc but without the moving photos. I'd love to see the Sun Morn segment again.

[TJphoto]

FOR RUSH LIMBAUGH - Where were you this day? Why didn't you serve? Maybe you can find something negative to say about this too. You criticize this president day after day but the bottom line is that you have no solutions to the problems he faces and neither does the party you support. I may not agree with what you have to say, but I will fight to death for your right to say it. I've got a DD-214 that says I'm willing to do that, where's yours?

[stavroulacrowley]

My husband informed me that this was an excellent story. I have been searching for the video. Pls post on your website.....thank you.

[jdemar2011]

Please post the video of this commentary.....I would like to share it.

[twink4]

yes...please post a video version. Would love to share and the video captured the emotion of the message much more than print alone.

Please post the video. This was a powerful piece. Thanks.

[mistyskinner]

I e shared this piece with my 17 year old daughter this morning and would love to share it with my 14 year old son. Can you please post the video? I feel like this segment celebrates the best of mankind and what should be our hopes for all our leaders, present and future. It really made an impact.

[Joeysugar]

A powerful commentary especially considering little opinion was given. I am impressed when a journalist provides honest observation and lets the listeners think. Thank you for this show in general and this story in particular. Congratulations to Mr. Meek.

[jstaro]

Where's the Video of this Commentary so it can be Shared as was spoken, not written??