Cord Byrd: “in early March of this year I received a letter from Charles R. Mariott, of Louisville, Tennessee, in which he enclosed…”

“in early March of this year I received a letter from Charles R. Mariott, of Louisville, Tennessee, in which he enclosed a stirring poem, written by his wife Ruth and dedicated to Arlington Cemetery. The poem shows great talent and I want to bring it to the attention of my colleagues and to the audience of listeners throughout the country as we approach the Memorial Day weekend. It is a poem that exudes a spirit of patriotism which, I believe, will inspire all freedom loving Americans everywhere. Arlington (By Ruth Mariott) First Canto I saw his name engraved in granite in the shadow of the ivy covered oak-- a long time tenant in that sacred grove The wind moves now and then through barren branches A bird alights sometimes, as if by chance, it chirps--and then flies on All else is mute . . . The marble tomb nearby where night and day the sentries stand with steadfast vigilance it bears no name. During the changing of the guards-- at preset daytime hours-- upon command the sentries spring to life and to action. They walk with slow, precisely measured steps clicking their heels at certain intervals toeing the line invisible across expanse of marbled ground presenting arms and slapping rifle Flawless in execution and procedures flawless in bearing and attire one is the prefect mirror of the other down to the last detail: just so, no more, no less Their buckles shine.…”