The top picture above is
the last one taken of Matthew Medlicott. He had taken it of himself. That image would be used 14 months after his
death on a memorial located at a flagpole dedicated to his memory.
The second picture above
shows two patches on the jacket of Al Oller. It was taken at that flagpole dedication.
The ceremony was scheduled
for noon on a Sunday. The plaque was
installed and polished an hour earlier.
Matt’s self-portrait was
incorporated in the design.
Black silicone caulk
sealed against frost heave.
It was applied as Matt’s
father looked-on.
Matt was a Marine. His life was so short that being a Marine was
a big part of it. He was killed in the
third week of his second tour in
The Patriot Guard Riders
were invited to witness the dedication.
Mark and Cyndi Pleasant would coordinate our presentation. There would be no procession, but most of us
arrived on bikes anyway, in spite of the cold weather.
The
PGR supported Matt’s funeral in
This time we would simply
stand, like everyone else. We would
stand in a rank, like several others groups.
And we would stand holding our flags, of course.
As Mark was briefing us,
the three Marines were rehearsing before empty chairs.
They would hoist a flag
that had flown over our nation’s capitol.
Then they would lower it and present it to Matt’s father. And then they would hoist American and Marine
flags that would be the first to maintain a long symbolic vigil over the plaque
bearing his likeness.
Our flags were available
for others to hold, too. These two
helped. The newspaper took their names.
The high school ROTC stood
in a rank except for these two who stood with the band.
Matt’s father is Director
of Orchestras at
We lined the walkway that
the three Marines would use to approach the flagpole.
As the ceremony began, the
proud father placed his son’s portrait before his memorial.
Chris Dreyer was an
important figure in bringing this about.
When Matt was a student here, he wanted the worn flag (flown from the
predecessor flagpole) replaced. Matt
then raised it every morning and Chris lowered it every night.
Except
once when Chris forgot, according to the comments he made. Matt gave
him a prompt and stern reaction.
Then our three central
figures marched down the walkway with the PGRiders following.
They executed as they had
trained.
According to the Flag
Code, the American flag is very rarely flown in deference. Fallen heroes are an exception that makes the
rule significant.
Then the Marines re-folded
the capitol flag and presented it to Matt’s father…
as Matt’s brother and grandparents looked on.
And then the first vigil
flags were hoisted triumphantly.
Consecration completed,
the three marched back up the walkway.
And then Gold Star father
Bart Medlicott spoke to us.
And Gold Star father Kirk
Morris (Geoffrey) listened.
This Marine, just back
from
Then it was over and time
to go. Jeff and Eve Clauss
made a farewell gesture of respect.
As did
ROTC Top Sergeant Cunningham, and others.
The funeral for Matthew Medlicott took place far away and months ago. This day was to celebrate the flag he served.
When Mark told me of this
event, I asked him if it were to be a sad one or a happy one. Mark did not respond for a moment. It was a non-trivial question and he
considered it fully. Then he told me
that he thought it was to be happy.
I was about to leave the
happy event when Chris directed me to another memorial that is easily
overlooked.
“This tablet commemorates
the loyalty, courage and devotion of the graduates of this school who served
their country during the world war.
Those who returned and those who fell have given this and future
generations of
The school’s Roll of Honor
from what we now call World War One extends to Matthew Medlicott.
photo album One
photo album Two
photo album Three
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