I received a call from a chaplain at a local hospital desperately searching for people to help support the family of an Air Force veteran donating his organs through an honor walk. It was obviously short notice, but I sent an email to the Auxiliary and veteran members I knew who lived nearby asking them if they were able to attend and/or pass the information on.
When we got to the hospital, there was already a gathering of people outside. It was cold and windy, with the sun behind the clouds. The family walked out together as if they were one. They lined up facing the flag, and we all watched silently as Air Force officers took down the flag to be placed over him during the honor walk.
After the flag was taken down, we walked inside to the hallway, already filled with first responders and hospital employees. We had enough people to line up all the way to the double doors he would come through. An employee was giving out tissues and everyone took some, because holding it in was never going to be an option. We waited for a while, then I heard the double doors open. He came through slowly with all the machines to keep him alive; there were family blankets and the flag on him. As he passed me, I gave him a quick look, then dropped my head and said a prayer for him and his family following him from behind, their heads down. Everyone was quiet – they were the ones who made the decision that his death would not go in vain. After he went by us, we all followed them out. The officers took the flag and performed the ceremonial folding and presentation to his mother. The conclusion was the bugle call of taps. The family had the last few minutes with him before he was placed in the ambulance.
I found out after it was over that he was only 22, and we were there due to something that could have been prevented – it was a suicide. I wish I had known him so maybe I could have guided him to get help, been the one to tell him to dial 988, been the one to just listen. Be the One means more to me now than it ever did. I hope it does to you too.