Friday Morning at the Pentagon
By JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY
McClatchy Newspapers
Over the last 12 months, 1,042 soldiers, Marines, sailors and Air Force personnel have given their lives in the terrible duty that is war. Thousands more have come home on stretchers, horribly wounded and facing months or years in military hospitals.
This week, I’m turning my space over to a good friend and former roommate, Army Lt. Col. Robert Bateman, who recently completed a year long tour of duty in Iraq and is now back at the Pentagon. Here’s Lt. Col. Bateman’s account of a little-known ceremony that fills the halls of the Army corridor of the Pentagon with cheers, applause and many tears every Friday morning. It first appeared on May 17 on the Weblog of media critic and pundit Eric Alterman at the Media Matters for America Website.
“It is 110 yards from the “E” ring to the “A” ring of the Pentagon. This section of the Pentagon is newly renovated; the floors shine, the hallway is broad, and the lighting is bright. At this instant the entire length of the corridor is packed with officers, a few sergeants and some civilians, all crammed tightly three and four deep against the walls. There are thousands here. This hallway, more than any other, is the `Army’ hallway. The G3 offices line one side, G2 the other, G8 is around the corner. All Army. Moderate conversations flow in a low buzz. Friends, who may not have seen each other for a few weeks, or a few years, spot each other, cross the way and renew.
Everyone shifts to ensure an open path remains down the center. The air conditioning system was not designed for this press of bodies in this area. The temperature is rising already. Nobody cares.
10:36 hours: The clapping starts at the E-Ring. That is the outer most of the five rings of the Pentagon and it is closest to the entrance to the building. This clapping is low, sustained, and hearty. It is applause with a deep emotion behind it as it moves forward in a wave down the length of the hallway.
A steady rolling wave of sound it is, moving at the pace of the soldier in the wheelchair who marks the forward edge with his presence. He is the first. He is missing the greater part of one leg, and some of his wounds are still suppurating. By his age, I expect that he is a private, or perhaps a private first class.
Captains, majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels meet his gaze and nod as they applaud, soldier to soldier.
Three years ago when I described one of these events, those lining the hallways were somewhat different. The applause a little wilders, perhaps in private guilt for not having shared in the burden. Yet now almost everyone lining the hallway is, like the man in the wheelchair, also a combat veteran. This steadies the applause, but I think deepens the sentiment. We have all been there now. The soldier’s chair is pushed by, I believe, a full colonel. Behind him, and stretching the length from Rings E to A, come more of his peers, each private, corporal, or sergeant assisted as need be by a field grade officer.
11:00 hours: Twenty-four minutes of steady applause. My hands hurt, and I laugh to myself at how stupid that sounds in my own head. My hands hurt. Please! Shut up and clap. For twenty-four minutes, soldier after soldier has come down this hallway – 20, 25, 30. Fifty-three legs come with them, and perhaps only 52 hands or arms, but down this hall came 30 solid hearts.
They pass down this corridor of officers and applause, and then meet for a private lunch, at which they are the guests of honor, hosted by the generals. Some are wheeled along. Some insist upon getting out of their chairs, to march as best they can with their chin held up, down this hallway, through this most unique audience. Some are catching handshakes and smiling like a politician at a Fourth of July parade. More than a couple of them seem amazed and are smiling shyly.
There are families with them as well: the 18-year-old war-bride pushing her 19-year-old husband’s wheelchair and not quite understanding why her husband is so affected by this, the boy she grew up with, now a man, who had never shed a tear is crying; the older immigrant Latino parents who have, perhaps more than their wounded mid-20s son, an appreciation for the emotion given on their son’s behalf. No man in that hallway, walk ing or clapping, is ashamed by the silent tears on more than a few cheeks. An Airborne Ranger wipes his eyes only to better see. A couple of the officers in this crowd have themselves been a part of this parade in the past.
These are our men, broken in body they may be, but they are our brothers, and we welcome them home. This parade has gone on, every single Friday, all year long, for more than four years.
Did you know that? The media hasn’t yet told the story. And probably never will.
The article is ver good. Write please more
Having a father buried in Arlington , I am not ashamed to say this article brought tears to my eyes
Wow, powerful article.
This was first published in 2007. TWO years past and how many Americans know this is happening? It’s a SAD comment on our so called ‘news’ media. Kudos to the fellow soliders at the Pentagon who honor our boys!!
This is the first time I have had the opportunity to read about this. How beautiful! We need to know these things now more than ever! I hope this show lof admiration will continue as long as necessary! God bless the men and women in the military !
i am proud to be here an American,proud of these soilders that protect my life and my way of life,, thank you
remarkable – honor is still alive and well in this wonderful country – may God bless us – Chaz
Just a great big THANKS to all the military guys and gals that have helped us stay FREE in the USA, May God Bless you , yours and the USA.
Thank-you, Thank-you, Thank-you, from a soldier’s daughter
That must be something to see. My family has served and for that I am grateful to all who serve.
DITTO “GOD BLESS AMERICA” AND ESPESCIALLY
THESE FINE YOUNG MEN.
I SERVED FOR SIX YEARS IN SUBMARINE SERVICE DURING VIETNAM AND I WISH I COULD BE THERE TO
SALUTE THEM!!!
Thanks for a well story. May God bless all of the people presently serving in the Armed Services. Thanks also, to all the veterans past and present for their service. I am proud to say I am an AMERICAN and I voted American, and did my term in the AUS; although it has been over 50 years ago.
What a Wonderful Tribute. I had read of this before, a couple of years ago, but had forgotten. Thanks for the reminder. God Bless All Of Our Troops and May He Watch over them. I am going to send the site to our local newspaper. Doubt if they will publish but at least I’ll give it a try.
Bill Brown, The Villages, Fla.
Joseph, a great article honoring our Troops – we need more articles like this to be written. If we all give a little bit of understanding, compassion and support, we can spread more awareness for those who are returning, especially if they’ve suffered injuries. The uphill battles returning GIs face assimilating back into civilian life, needs to be a concern and consideration for every citizen.
Show support our Armed Forces – they have your back by protecting our freedom; we need to make sure we have their backs when they return and give them the emotional, inspirational, educational and spiritual support they need for a full recovery.
There are some great charities out there…
This is what I am talking about, how about the media cover something like this….oh that’s right it’s not politically correct! Semper Fi, to ALL our Brothers, Sisters, WIVES and HUSBANDS who serve this Great Country! Please get this around to more if we can, THEY (the young Vets) deserve to be recocnized!
extremely moving,comments and all.
“Life and Death are but a moment, Freedom is Forever.” These young men and women have made their payment for it. Maybe someday we won’t need “Friday at the Pentagon.” But if we must as a Nation, “Friday at the Pentagon” is a great acknowlegment from one soldier to another soldier for one’s sacrifice. Here! Here!
This is an encouraging article that should be read by many.
This recognition long overdue. May God strengthen and encourage everyone who reads this article. May they stand strong for our military and the sacrifice that has been made.
God bless you every one.
Thank you a hundred times over!!!!!
As a Nam vet that, by the grace of God came back whole, I am disheatened that these Fridays continue. But Thank the Army CS and every soldier to the newest Private that they are showing the respect for every veteran and active duty serving.
What a marvelous tribute to our young men and women who risk their lives for our freedom! they certainly deserve this honor, and so much more! Our ‘media’ and ‘congress’ should be required to stand there every Friday morning, to TRY to understand what a price these young men and women are paying. Better still, require that our congress “Spend Equal Time and Money” to caring for the real heroes of the country, as they spend time and accept money from lobbyists!!!! This is from a woman, (former Woman Marine), whose family has served in all the wars of this nation.
For those who have served and sacrificed so much, each and every day should be a Friday at the Pentagon. We can never give back to them what they have lost for us. But, we have a duty to honor them and go the extra mile for them whenever possible. God Bless them all!!
God Blass America,For all of these Men and Women.
Like most familys in America we all have or had some one in a Military Service at one time or another.Every one here is so grateful to ALL of the Military Services for keeping America out of harms way.
Honor is still alive here in America
We just need to be LOUDER to be to be heard .
Please ! All Vets of Military Services needs to be
Recocnized.
GOD PLEASE KEEP THEM ALL FROM HARM
God Bless C.STILL
Was sent to me on facebook, I posted for all, Thank you! B.Langston SSG(fmr) US ARMY Abn
Thank the Good Lord that someone is sending this link around in an email. It is so good to see the wonderful things that happen that the media will not tell us about. God bless the soldiers that put their lives on the line for our country. America would not be what it is today if it weren’t for them.
I participated as spectator with another Nam vet to shown show understanding. It’s powerful stuff to see families escorting their wounded – male and female wounded. There is a medals ceremony afterward for the Purple Hearts and other awards due to the individuals. It is held in the MOH Hall.
This is powerful stuff.
If you think this article is moving and powerful, you should see the parade in person!!! I cried the whole time!!! It is a VERY very moving experience!!! May God Bless the Men and Women fighting for us overseas! May he bring them home safely!!!
I think this is a wonderful story,where is the news media on these kind of stories? instead of all the bad things happening !!
why does’ntsomeone send this to a radio or tv station?
I think this is a wonderful story.
Thank You All for what You have done for me and Our Country.
clarity, pristine pure and simple. . .. lloyds pharmacy
Moving and well done. These troops are America’s best. The cream of the crop and above top shelf! May God bless those that have served and those still serving and may He bless this great country, for it’s these people who’ve made it great!
Thank God for our brave Soldiers. May God hold them and their families close now and forever.
Barney
God Bless these brave souls that protect us and our country and all those that have come before them and after~
We can not let a bunch of PC, self serving crooks in Washington forget what the ‘cost’ of our freedoms that has been paid for in our dearest blood!
These politicians are failing these heros.
Joseph Galloway has brought his entire skill set to bear once again in penning a great story and sharing real news about real American heroes. He has been at this for a long while, and I think his greatness and professional love for our American warriors grows as he grows older. Joe, I share your reverence for the individuals that you write about here, as well as all the others who deserve this honor but may not get to see and feel it in person. You are an awesome gatherer of thoughts, sir, and I respect your work as much as I respect the great Americans you’ve made a life and career writing about. Be well, sir.
I had heard about this but never read anything about it in the newspapers nor had I seen anything about it on TV. My father served in the Navy during WWII and my two brothers and I have served in both the Marines and USAF for at least four years; my older brother retired a Bird Colonel who last worked in the Pentagon before he retired. Military men here in Texas are revered and honored in many way, each and everyday. God bless them all.
Thank you for taking this. Hot blog post on your site. I was checking your posting and I have bookmark your blog done.
Thank God for these brave men and women who defend this land and the freedom loving people of the world. Also, thank God for blessing this nation with the resources and will to make these sacrifices.
Very moving. My dad, husband, 2 brothers, son, niece and nephew have all served/are serving. I am more proud than you can imagine of them and the men and women who keep us safe. God bless them all, and God bless America!
WELL DONE THOU GOOD AND FAITHFUL SERVANTS !!
It is heartwarming to me to know that our service men and women are being welcomed and honored as they so deserved, sadly that was not the case for the Vietnam veteran, but that is in the past. Now we must take care of those who valiantly served our cause and spilled their blood in the desert sand. May each and everyone of our wounded receive the medical assistance they need and deserve.
Happy to experience that there are blog possessors that worry about their blogs and not release all kind of useless stuff but rather try to maintain it complete and precious for the interest of their readers. You’ve done a great job and i thank you for that and as well for not traumatizing me with useless garbage and spam.Thank You
God has blessed America! Just thank Him. We must love and care for one another. 26 years of service, whom do I serve? Amen
I am a military brat,I am proud to say that my father and my uncle served in Vietnam and I am even prouder to say that my son PFC Alexander Alfonso deploys in March. I am so glad that our military is finally being honored as they so deserve, Vietnam Vets did not receive such a welcome home. I hope and pray that the media gets ahold of this blog and puts it out there for all to see. Regardless of whether you are for or against the war, those are still our sons and daughters being wounded and sometimes dying for our freedom. May they never be taken for granted, and may God keep them safe and bring them home to their families.
I’m a WWII British Army Veteran. Thanks for sending the letter and I proudly salute all Veterans.
Hi Joseph,
I just finished reading your article and
dried my eyes so I could tell you how
wonderful your article. I’m so glad that
we have the computer to read things that
we would never hear of or see on TV or
read in the newspapers.
I’m so glad to hear that our wounded
Military have the opportunity to be
honored for their service. What a shame
it is that the whole nation doesn’t have
the opportunity to know of these Men
and Women being so justly honored!
God Bless Them All!!!
Sure wish this made the front pages instead of all the claptrap about cheating sports stars (You’ll note I did not call them heros) and murder and mayhem in our streets. God bless each and every man and woman who is or has served in our armed forces. YOU are the pride of our nation, the keepers of our freedom and the true heros in our world.
Nobody knows about this because the “liberal” media isn’t liberal, it’s uncalcuably ignorant and stupid.
My father did his service in the South Pacific during WWII and I did mine in Hawaii during Viet Nam. I love this country and the men and women in uniform that are doing this only because the past and current residents of the White House decided to bankrupt this nation with a mindless, unending war. Obviously they learned nothing from the history of Viet Nam.
God bless our troops and keep them safe and thank you for this article. I shed a few tears to go with my own prayer for them.
I did not know of these Fridays at the Pentagon, and I am glad the wounded of our nation–and their families–are regarded by those who love them, standing in a hallway. I am a spouse of a combat veteran and quite proud of our nation’s military family. Thank you for writing this, and thank you for your service.