二战老兵：那面美国国旗
（网络照片）
今天11月11日，退伍军人节（Veterans Day)。这一阵子常想到我熟悉的二战老兵 Jack, 队友R 的老爸，想起他最后离世时的情景。
前几年90 岁的Jack因为心脏衰竭(congestive heart failure)几进老兵医院 （Veterans Affairs Hospital) ，但最终他的生命走到了尽头，从老兵医院的病房 转到老兵医院的临终关怀中心。临终关怀中心和理疗康复中心紧邻，每次去看老爷子，穿过长长医院办公室过道，过道墙上挂着各种战役里黑白和彩色军人照片，我们一步一步似乎从军营穿过，从战车和飞机场边穿过，从列队的年轻军人间穿过，心情沉重。走过康复中心，看见年轻或中年的有残疾军人，有医生护士，还有不少志愿人员在忙碌。好几次一位年轻女孩拿着竖琴，来到Jack 病房里，弹奏轻缓的乐曲，清风般抚慰即将离世的老人，也安抚忧伤的家人。
那一刻最终到来，Jack 的生命停止在那个夏日的晚上。这个时候，肃穆的楼道里，响起Taps的音乐，Jack 身上覆盖着一面美国国旗，护理员工推着病床，最后一次从楼道走过，走向生命的停靠点。医生护士和工作人员停止工作，全部沿着楼道站立静默，病友们坐在轮椅上或是站立，敬礼，向一位老兵，曾志愿保卫国家的普通退伍老兵表达最后一次崇高敬意。我紧拉着R 的手, 跟着病床，送老爷子最后一程，走完庄严而神圣的最后一程。眼前那一面国旗，在泪眼中升腾而起，英勇有献身精神的红，纯洁带着崇高理想的白，还有带着正义精神的蓝，在空中高高飞扬。身后传来跟着我们缓缓前行的一位工作人员的话语，二战老兵，英雄啊。
每一位在这个VA（老兵医院）去逝的退队军人，都这样走完生命最后一程，无论有没有家属在场，医院工作人员都会这样庄严神圣的送走每一位为国贡献的军人。
军队的Honor Guard 也会到退伍军人的葬礼举行特殊仪式，代表国家和大众向为国贡献的勇士表达最后的敬意和谢意，奏响Taps乐曲， 庄严肃穆的将国旗折叠13次并赠与家属。
今年夏天看见佩罗西将折叠的国旗毕恭毕竟赠给George Floyd家属时，我久久无法言语，将头高高抬起，但眼泪仍然控制不住流下。对于佩罗西手上那一面旗，在VA 医院那位失去双腿脸上仍有笑容年轻的女兵，她会怎么想，那些失去军人父亲年轻的孩子会怎么想，那些失去孩子年老的父母会怎么想，无数的军人，退队军人和军人家属会怎么想。我只愿意相信，佩罗西手上那面旗，和覆盖军人身上的国旗不一样，和那一面代表正义代表为国献身代表崇高的国旗不一样！
今天是退伍军人节，屋前飘着一面美国国旗。
（医院过道墙上的一张照片）下面是网上摘抄的国旗折叠13次代表的意义：
Meaning behind the 13 Folds
- The first fold of our flag is a symbol of life.
- The second fold signifies our belief in eternal life.
- 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.
- The fourth fold exemplifies our weaker nature as citizens trusting in God; it is to Him we turn for His divine guidance.
- 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.”
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- The last fold, when the flag is completely folded, the stars are uppermost, reminding us of our national motto, “In God We Trust.”
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来源: 文学城-阿邕