Tony picked up Ernie for the luncheon that was being held at the Marine barracks for Memorial Day. While Tony had never served in the military, he had a huge appreciation to all those who had served and were currently serving their country. His current girlfriend, Alex, was a Marine who had seen combat and had served since she was 21 years old. Between Gibbs and Alex and Ernie he had a soft spot for marines, but did appreciate all that served.
Ernie was excited to see Tony. "Where is that beautiful marine you were with the last time you came to visit me? I would prefer her for a luncheon date."
Tony laughed as Ernie talked to him. "Alex is currently TDA in Naples Italy for a murder trial there. It's taking longer than expected. I can't wait to see her again. I am actually thinking of taking a week off and going to see her if it takes to much longer." Tony shrugged his shoulders while he said it. He really missed Alex and couldn't wait till she came home. Ernie smiled at Tony when he said he wanted to see Alex. Ernie could remember how much he missed Dorothy when he was away from her.
Tony helped Ernie get into the car and they started the drive to the marine barracks. It was a luncheon that Ernie went to every year. Marines from all over came that had served from every war. While there where none left from WWI, there were plenty of veterans from WWII and other wars.
While they were driving Tony played music from Ernie's era. Big band and Tommy Dorsey were Ernie's favorite so Tony always made sure Ernie's music was playing. As they pulled up to the barracks marines in their dress blues were standing in a line down the driveway. Tony could see Ernie look at all the marines and watched a small smile grace his face. Tony could tell Ernie was remembering his friends in their dress blues.
Tony pulled up to the door and other marine was there ready to open the door for the retired marine. "Sir, welcome to the Memorial Day celebration."
"Thank you Marine. Can you tell me where to go?"
"Yes sir, just inside the door then take a left and straight down the hall. You will see the tables."
"Thank you Marine."
Tony and Ernie started into the building and Tony noticed something. Every time Ernie passed a marine they stopped, stood at attention, and saluted Ernie. Ernie would nod and continue on. This happened every time. Tony leaned over to Ernie and asked why. "Well Tony, since I was awarded this medal," and he pointed to the Medal of Honor resting on his tie, "whenever I pass someone and they know that I have the medal they salute. It turns out that they are suppose to salute me and it does't matter if they are inside or outside, whether I am in uniform or not, it seems that it is required. I tried to tell them to stop, but they won't, so now I just nod and keep going."
Ernie smiled at Tony and patted his arm. The two men walked into the room where the luncheon was being held and Tony heard someone call attention. The entire room rose to their feet as Ernie walked in. Tony had never seen anything like it. The quiet was so loud but Ernie took it in stride. He paused, looked around the room, raised his hand and in a clear voice said, "Thank you, please be seated." The room sat and conversation began again. The next thing Tony knew the Commandant of the Marine Corp was greeting Ernie.
"Corporal Yost, welcome."
"Thank you Commandant. I appreciate the invitation." He turned to Tony and introduced him. "This is my friend Tony, Anthony DiNozzo, NCIS. His girlfriend is Alex Flores, she is a Marine, do you know her?"
The Commandant looked at Tony and Tony smiled. "Alex is a JAG attorney. She is currently TDA in Naples."
The Commandant smiled and said, "I see, she is assigned to JAG Rabb. I do believe I have met her at some point. Good marine." Tony smiled, he had been around marines long enough to understand that was the highest compliment to a marine. The Commandant walked Ernie and Tony to their seats, told them if they needed anything to let him know and said he hoped they enjoyed themselves today.
The luncheon was great. Tony had a great time. People kept coming over to Ernie to talk and to meet a Medal of Honor recipient. Not many people had and the marines were thrilled that Ernie was with them and was one of the them. Tony understood now why Alex had enjoyed meeting Ernie. He was a marine that they all wanted to be. A marine who did the job, served their country to the best of their ability and was willing to sacrifice his life. They didn't do it for medals or rewards, they did it because they were the ones that truly believed in what they did. Tony knew if Alex was there, she would be in her dress blues, sitting beside Ernie with pride knowing that she wanted to be just like him.
The luncheon was over and the Commandant came over one last time. "Thank you for coming today. I truly appreciate you attending. It always gives my marines a thrill to talk to you, Corporal Yost. I hope to see you next time."
Ernie smiled at the Commandant, "I hope to be here next year as well." Ernie smiled at Tony, "I hope to bring this really pretty marine with me next time, her name is Alex and she is much better looking than my date today." Both Tony and the Commandant laughed.
"Well, I look forward to seeing Major Flores at the next event." The Commandant reached out his hand to say goodbye, shook Tony and Ernie's hands and walked away. As Tony and Ernie made their way out of the luncheon, the marines again stood at attention as Ernie passed. Tony's car was waiting for them when they reached the door. The same Marine that greeted them was there to say goodbye.
He help open Ernie's door, "Have a great afternoon sir, and thank you." Ernie smiled at the young Marine. "Thank you son. You take care now." The young Marine smile and closed the door once Ernie was inside the car. Tony turned to Ernie before driving away. "Is there anywhere else you need to go today?"
"Well, there is one spot if you don't mind?" Tony just nodded when Ernie told him where he wanted to go. When they pulled up to the cemetery and pulled into a parking space another soldier came over to the car, Tony quickly got out and began to explain who he was with. The soldier looked at Ernie and told Tony to take his time.
Tony walked with Ernie to the row of marines he wanted to visit. Once they reached the row, Tony paused at the beginning of the row while Ernie walked on. He walked over to a row of marines that Ernie knew well. The one that he stopped at was Corporal Wade Kean, his best friend. "Wade, I miss you every day. I hope you are doing well. Take care of Dorothy for me. I know that I will see you soon." Ernie stopped at several other headstones and talked to each one. Once he was done, he walked back over to Tony.
"As much as hate that my friends didn't come back, coming here gives me a sense of peace, especially on days like this, when we are supposed to remember those who lost their lives serving our country. All of the flags at every headstone. A continuous row of headstones, all the same. It means that no matter what uniform we wore, we all served, we all died, we were the first ones in, we stood where others would not. We did our duty at the cost of our lives. I remember my friends everyday, but this day is special. It's a time where we all pause and remember those who we should be grateful to and for. Not everyone can be a soldier." Ernie looked at Tony a moment. "Not everyone can serve like you do, like Alex does, like Gibbs has and continues to do. You run into danger, not away. That takes someone special." Ernie waves his hand around to indicate the soldiers. "It takes special people to serve. I got drafted, we all did. We didn't exactly choose, but when we were asked, we served. It is just what we did. I wouldn't change anything except have my friends come home with me. That is all I would change." Ernie smiled at Tony. "I can't change anything, otherwise I wouldn't have met Dorothy. Then where would I be?"
Tony smiled at Ernie. "I don't think I ever had a choice. Once I got hurt and couldn't play pro basketball, I knew that I wanted to be a cop. Saving that kids life in the fire, changed my life that night. I knew then what I wanted to do." Tony paused. "I wish Alex was just a lawyer and not a Marine, but I wouldn't change her for anything. I love her just for who she is, but I won't tell you I don't worry about her or her job. I know that she could be called to serve in a war zone, but that is who she is, a Marine."
Ernie patted Tony on the shoulder. "Let's go. Time to get home." The two men, one in the prime of his life, one at the end, walked together silently through Arlington National Cemetery, both reflecting on the lives lost and saved by the soldiers buried in the cemetery knowing that no matter what their age difference they were the same. Both were brave, both had served, both were willing to give their lives for what they believed in, and that was why they were friends.
The soldier guarding the grounds watched the two men walk away and then brought his eye back to the front, guarding those who had made the ultimate sacrifice for their county. Standing tall, standing proud, a soldier.
Thank you to all that have served and continue to serve. I thank you. We do remember and we are thankful.
A/N: I promise I will be writing another chapter soon. Please be patient. The new job is making me crazy. I don't own, but so happy I can play. Happy Memorial Day. All mistakes are mine.