Remembering...

This picture was sent to me by Margret Brewster, sister of Waterford native Arnie Holm, a helicopter pilot shot down over Vietnam in 1972 - and whose body has never been recovered.

A few months ago, the crash site where Holm's helicopter went down was discovered. The recovery efforts have not yet been scheduled and its uncertain if those efforts will get under way next year, or have to wait until early 2008. Although everyone would prefer sooner rather than later, eventually it is hoped that Arnie's remains will be brought home and laid to rest.

The photograph here is a picture of Arlington Cemetery at Christmas time.

The last time I was at Arlington was April 2003, to cover the burial of Marine Cpl. Kemaphoon ``Ahn'' Chanawongse, also of Waterford, who was killed in the opening days of the Iraq War. He was running to retrieve ammunition when he was killed by an enemy round on March 23, 2003 in a battle in Nasiriyah, Iraq. He was 22 years old.

His mother, Tan Pachem, told me that she wanted Ahn buried at Arlington because Arlington, to her, is the place where America buried its heroes .

Tomorrow is Veterans' Day - a day to remember and thank those who gave - and give - for love of country.