二戰老兵：那麵美國國旗

（網絡照片）

 

 

今天11月11日，退伍軍人節（Veterans Day)。這一陣子常想到我熟悉的二戰老兵 Jack, 隊友R 的老爸，想起他最後離世時的情景。

 

前幾年90 歲的Jack因為心髒衰竭(congestive heart failure)幾進老兵醫院 （Veterans Affairs Hospital) ，但最終他的生命走到了盡頭，從老兵醫院的病房 轉到老兵醫院的臨終關懷中心。臨終關懷中心和理療康複中心緊鄰，每次去看老爺子，穿過長長醫院辦公室過道，過道牆上掛著各種戰役裏黑白和彩色軍人照片，我們一步一步似乎從軍營穿過，從戰車和飛機場邊穿過，從列隊的年輕軍人間穿過，心情沉重。走過康複中心，看見年輕或中年的有殘疾軍人，有醫生護士，還有不少誌願人員在忙碌。好幾次一位年輕女孩拿著豎琴，來到Jack 病房裏，彈奏輕緩的樂曲，清風般撫慰即將離世的老人，也安撫憂傷的家人。

 

那一刻最終到來，Jack 的生命停止在那個夏日的晚上。這個時候，肅穆的樓道裏，響起Taps的音樂，Jack 身上覆蓋著一麵美國國旗，護理員工推著病床，最後一次從樓道走過，走向生命的停靠點。醫生護士和工作人員停止工作，全部沿著樓道站立靜默，病友們坐在輪椅上或是站立，敬禮，向一位老兵，曾誌願保衛國家的普通退伍老兵表達最後一次崇高敬意。我緊拉著R 的手, 跟著病床，送老爺子最後一程，走完莊嚴而神聖的最後一程。眼前那一麵國旗，在淚眼中升騰而起，英勇有獻身精神的紅，純潔帶著崇高理想的白，還有帶著正義精神的藍，在空中高高飛揚。身後傳來跟著我們緩緩前行的一位工作人員的話語，二戰老兵，英雄啊。

 

 

每一位在這個VA（老兵醫院）去逝的退隊軍人，都這樣走完生命最後一程，無論有沒有家屬在場，醫院工作人員都會這樣莊嚴神聖的送走每一位為國貢獻的軍人。

 

軍隊的Honor Guard 也會到退伍軍人的葬禮舉行特殊儀式，代表國家和大眾向為國貢獻的勇士表達最後的敬意和謝意，奏響Taps樂曲， 莊嚴肅穆的將國旗折疊13次並贈與家屬。

 

 

今年夏天看見佩羅西將折疊的國旗畢恭畢竟贈給George Floyd家屬時，我久久無法言語，將頭高高抬起，但眼淚仍然控製不住流下。對於佩羅西手上那一麵旗，在VA 醫院那位失去雙腿臉上仍有笑容年輕的女兵，她會怎麽想，那些失去軍人父親年輕的孩子會怎麽想，那些失去孩子年老的父母會怎麽想，無數的軍人，退隊軍人和軍人家屬會怎麽想。我隻願意相信，佩羅西手上那麵旗，和覆蓋軍人身上的國旗不一樣，和那一麵代表正義代表為國獻身代表崇高的國旗不一樣！

 

 

今天是退伍軍人節，屋前飄著一麵美國國旗。

 

 

（醫院過道牆上的一張照片）

 

 

下麵是網上摘抄的國旗折疊13次代表的意義：

Meaning behind the 13 Folds

1. The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
2. The second fold signifies our belief in eternal life.
3. The third fold is made in honor and tribute of the veteran departing our ranks, and who gave a portion of his or her life for the defense of our country to attain peace.
4. The fourth fold exemplifies our weaker nature as citizens trusting in God; it is to Him we turn for His divine guidance.
5. The fifth fold is an acknowledgment to our country, for in the words of Stephen Decatur, “Our country, in dealing with other countries, may she always be right, but it is still our country, right or wrong.”
6. The sixth fold is for where our hearts lie. It is with our heart that we pledge allegiance to the flag of the United States of America, and to the republic for which it stands, one nation under God, indivisible, with liberty and justice for all.
7. The seventh fold is a tribute to our armed forces, for it is through the armed forces that we protect our country and our flag against all enemies.
8. The eighth fold is a tribute to the one who entered into the valley of the shadow of death, that we might see the light of day, and to honor our mother, for whom it flies on Mother’s Day.
9. The ninth fold is an honor to womanhood, for it has been through their faith, love, loyalty, and devotion that the character of the men and women who have made this country great have been molded.
10. The 10th fold is a tribute to father, for he, too, has given his sons and daughters for the defense of our country since he or she was first-born.
11. The 11th fold, in the eyes of Hebrew citizens, represents the lower portion of the seal of King David and King Solomon and glorifies, in their eyes, the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob.
12. The 12th fold, in the eyes of a Christian citizen, represents an emblem of eternity and glorifies, in their eyes, God the Father, the Son, and Holy Ghost.
13. The last fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”

 

 

 

[阿邕]

回複 '北方熊貓' 的評論 : 謝謝北方熊貓的留言（雖然不知道你怎麽操作的：））。謝謝你並祝周末愉快！

[北方熊貓]

好文，感動。，謝謝你。