At graveside, they carried the bodies of Terry, Kelly and Brooke down the slope and placed them together. The group stood for a moment, then Kara stepped forward.
“Ladies and gentleman, I have this covered. Everyone, please take a knee and bow you heads.”
Everyone did so, mimicking Kara. Garen and Bekka exchanged a puzzled look. Garen had brought the laminated cards from the field chapel kit and was going to say a few words, but Kara preempted him. Kara’s voice was soft, but filled with purpose and conviction.
“There is one sacred spot upon the earth where the footfalls of our march are unheeded; our trumpets quicken no pulse and incite no fear; the rustling of our banners and the gleam of our swords awaken no emotion. It is the silent city of the dead where we now stand. Awe rests upon every heart, and the stern warrior's eyes are bedewed with feelings which never shame his manhood. We have often been reminded of the fact that we were born to die. Mortality has been brought to view, that we might more earnestly seek an immortality beyond this fleeting life, where death comes no more forever. The sad and mournful knell has betokened that another spirit has winged its flight to a new existence. An alarm has come to the door of our Asylum, and the messenger was Death. None presumed to say to the awful presence: "Who dares approach?" A pilgrim warrior has been summoned, "and there is no discharge in that war." A burning taper of life has been extinguished, and none save the High and Holy One can re-light it. All that remains of our beloved companions lies mute before us, and the light of the eye, and the breathing of the lips, in fraternal greeting, has ceased to us forever on this side of the grave. His Sword, vowed to be drawn in the cause of truth, justice, and liberty, only, reposes in its scabbard, and we can no longer shield him from wrong and oppression. It is meet, at such a time, that we should be silent, and allow the words of the Infinite and Undying to speak, that we may gather consolation from His revelations, and have impressed upon our minds lessons of wisdom, instruction, and the meetness of preparation for the last great change which must pass upon us all. We spend our years as a tale that is told. The days of our years are threescore years and ten; and if by reason of strength they be fourscore years, yet is their strength labor and sorrow; for it is soon cut off, and we fly away. So teach us to number our days, that we may apply our hearts unto wisdom. For he knoweth our frame; he remembereth that we are dust. As for man, his days are as grass: as a flower of the field, so he flourisheth. For the wind passeth over it, and it is gone; and the place thereof shall know it no more. But the mercy of the Lord is from everlasting to everlasting upon them that fear him. We shall not all sleep, but we shall all be changed, In a moment, in the twinkling of an eye, at the last trump: for the trumpet shall sound, and the dead shall be raised incorruptible, and we shall be changed. For this corruptible must put on incorruption, and this mortal must put on immortality. So when this corruptible shall have put on in corruption, and this mortal shall have put on immortality, then shall be brought to pass the saying that is written, Death is swallowed up in victory. O death, where is thy sting? O grave, where is thy victory? The sting of death is sin; and the strength of sin is the law. But thanks be to God, which giveth us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ. Shall the memory of our departed brothers fade from among men? Shall no record be left of his virtues and worth? It is inscribed upon our hearts; it is written in our archives; the heart may cease to throb, and the archives may moulder and decay, but the tablets of the Recording Angel on high can never perish. Rest to his ashes and peace to his soul. Sovereign Ruler of the Universe! into thy hands we devoutly and submissively commit the departed spirit. Thy will be done, O God.”
Unbidden the rest of the group said “Amen” and rose to their feet.
Garen was impresses, humbled and a little confused. Kara’s entire prayer/ soliloquy was not written down. She used no notes, didn’t stumble or pause over any word or phrase. He didn’t know where it came from but it seemed very appropriate and spoke to him at a visceral level.
Kara turned to the rest a peaceful look on her face.
“I’ll see you guys back at the house. I will finish things here. Please.”
Everyone slowly walked back to the training building to finish up and move back to the house.
Kara carefully began filling in the grave. Once the bodies were covered and before the hole was full, she added the two drums of e&e gear at the head of the grave. She then finished filling in the grave, burying the drums and making the site slightly mounded. She then placed the concrete slab with the painted names at the head of the grave. She then drove the tractor off about a hundred feet before returning to graveside. She then knelt at the foot of the grave site. Once again, her voice was heard in the glade.
“Christian, please greet these souls to your table in Valhalla, Terry earned their tickets. God, I miss you. I wish you were here to help us.”
“I will be without fear in the face of my enemies
I will stand brave and upright that the Lord may love me
I will speak the truth always even if it means my death
I will protect the helpless and do no wrong”
Her face was wet with tears as she was finally able to stand. Later when Garen asked her about her graveside speech, she had no recollection of having spoken or what she said.