This afternoon our family gathered from all over the country in San Jose to honor Harry Hallman, the family’s patriarch, who passed away on Wednesday, November 14, 2007. It was a time of laughter, tears, memories, stories, love, family and military tradition. Among being a son, husband, dad, grandfather, great-grandfather, great-great-grandfather…he was also a retired Lieutenant Colonel in the Air Force. His service garnered him the presence of the Air Force Honor Guard.
At the end of the memorial, 6 solders marched up on stage carrying a folded American flag. They proceeded to unfold it and then fold it back up in the all familiar triangle shape—military style. We then followed them to the courtyard of the church where there were four more soldiers standing at attention, three of whom were holding M-14s (assault rifles). One called out orders and the other three obeyed, swinging their guns around, aiming and firing three times into the air. The sound echoed in the courtyard. Then silence. The awe and respect was deeply apparent. Another soldier, standing in the corner, swung out a bugle and “snapped” it to his mouth. Three notes later, not a dry eye existed. The soldier continued playing the hauntingly beautiful and universally known tune to honor an American soldier who has passed—Taps.
I held myself together during the whole memorial service until those notes played. The emotional power of that tune, the heritage it holds, just melted me and I wept. We were witnessing a heritage and tradition that far preceded us and will far proceed us. This man, Harry Hallman, our grandfather, was being honored in a way few are, and the witness of it broke us in its presence. After the bugle stopped, the commanding officer turned to the family, extended the flag and spoke words of honor before surrendering it. Those who were not weeping, were now.
There is something to be said about tradition and ceremony when done properly, in respect and honor. It can move the soul and cause us to weep in the presence of him who is being honored.
