The low thunder built by the second until it was a screaming roar as two shadows flashed over the green field of white headstones. Heads whipped in an attempt to get the dark birds of destruction in sight long enough to see their shapes clearly.

Murmurs of excitement erupted, children hooted and shouted and old men beamed proudly.

Here and there stood others that seemed to have stilled, or downright flinched at the flyover, memories of friends, co-workers and perfect strangers rose in their minds as if conjured by those two phantom shadows.

Rothman... Jacob... George... Kawalsky... Janet... Frank... and others, not of this earth.

Major General Jack O'Neill saw each death clearly, men and women shattered, named and unnamed; they gave their very lives to defend this Earth and everyone on it. He could never forget them, or their sacrifice. He was here to honor them now, and thank them for his own life.

A lone tear slide proudly down his cheek unnoticed by the noisy crowd as 'Stars and Stripes Forever' roared forth in jubilant celebration of this field of heroes.