Observations about soldiers carrying caskets.
As they carry Queen Elizabeth's casket, which is draped with a flag in Gryffindor colors, my husband says, well, at least the Scots are smart enough to use ramps, instead of climbing stairs, like we do.
I agreed with him, mentioning how it does seem tedious the way we take steps in cadence on steps, before taking the next step up, or down.
And then I tried to get solemn, watching as they went up the ramp, and my husband says, I would like to be the guy in the back. It was the guy who wasn't holding the casket, but followed behind, like he was an alternate. And just as my husband was making his proclamation, the group of soldiers made a 90 degree turn to align themselves with the doors of the church. And when this happened, the guy in the back found himself teetering on the top of the stairs, and it looked like he was about to fall backward. I said, that guy? And my husband silently began to reassess his position. When the group began to walk into the church, I confirmed that the guy was standing on the balls of his feet with his heels in the air. Well done, sir!
And I once again tried to get in a reverent mood, but that poor soldier holding the front left corner of the coffin. His expression stole the moment. Red-headed and eyes wide in terror. That's when I realized that our soldiers do it better because they keep their hats on, with the brim giving their crazed expression some cover. Thus, they never steal the moment.
My belief that our American soldiers might have a slight edge over casket carrying was confirmed when the group of soldiers carrying the Gryffindor casket had to negotiate a few steps. It was not pretty to watch. Teetering and uncertainty. Why am I suddenly worried that Queen Elizabeth is going to take a spill and we're all going to get a last viewing?
Thankfully it didn't happen. In sum, we might be slightly spoiled with our America military style.
