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Michael Kirby, Honor Guard for Tomb of the Unknown Soldier

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One of the veterans I paused by at Chastain Memorial Cemetery a couple of days ago was Michael Edwin Kirby.  Though I never quite know for sure why I stop at some graves and not others, I think in this instance it was the American Flag standing and lightly draping over his granite marker.  Then I noticed the inscription:

My Beloved Son, Recruiting For The Lord

Chastain Memorial Cemetery

Michael Edwin Kirby
SFC US Army
Dec 29, 1961 – May 24, 1991

I hated to see that Michael died at the age of just thirty years.  In an effort to find out why he died so young, I checked to see if he had a FindAGrave memorial.  He does.  And the first thing I read was Michael Edwin Kirby was a member of "Society of the Honor Guard, Tomb of the Unknown Soldier."

By Sgt. Erica Vinyard, U.S. Army [Public domain], via Wikimedia CommonsFrankly, I was a bit blown away.  I've had the privilege, the honor, to visit the awe inspiring space that is Arlington Cemetery.  And I was blessed to witness the duty fulfilled by the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.  Please don't ever miss a chance to visit and witness, if you are so fortunate to get such an opportunity.

Through Google, I found a website dedicated to those who are members of this elite society.  TombGuard.org details the stories of each of the unknowns at the tomb, as well as the selection, training, and lifestyle of the tomb guards.  It is very enlightening.  I love the sentiment portrayed on the home page:

Soldiers Never Die Until They Are Forgotten
TOMB GUARDS NEVER FORGET

The website also provides a list of tomb guards.  Sure enough, Michael E. Kirby is there.

I am humbled to know I was standing at the grave of a dutiful man.  Thank-you for your service, Sgt. Kirby.

And, by the way, can you guess what caused Michael's untimely death? According to his FindAGrave memorial, the answer is a drunk driver.

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Comments

Darla M Sands said…
What a tragic death. God rest his soul.
June 3, 2016 at 1:48 PM
whyaskwhy said…
I'm not sure if you'll ever see this, given the age of the blog post, but I wanted to leave my thanks for giving him a space of remembrance online. He was my father, I lost him when I was nine.
July 5, 2023 at 11:04 AM
S. Lincecum said…
I so appreciate you leaving a comment, and you are quite welcome. I sincerely felt privileged to visit his final resting place all those years ago.
July 10, 2023 at 9:03 AM
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The hand of the Lord came upon me and brought me out in the Spirit of the Lord, and set me down in the midst of the valley; and it was full of bones. Then He caused me to pass by them all around, and behold, there were very many in the open valley; and indeed they were very dry. And He said to me, "Son of man, can these bones live?"

So I answered, "O Lord God, You know."

Again He said to me, "Prophesy to these bones, and say to them, 'O dry bones, hear the word of the Lord!' Thus says the Lord God to these bones: 'Surely I will cause breath to enter into you, and you shall live...'" (Ezekiel 37:1-5, NKJV)