| A Day of Tears Revisted |
| Friday, 11 November 2005 | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||||
 DYERSBURG, TN - The hot August sun was beating down upon the crowd assembled at our National Guard Armory. Wives, husbands, mothers and fathers along with children were gathered, standing in solemn family groups. It was difficult to think back only five days when most of these people were listening to bands, inspiring speeches and eating from one of the most lavish displays of food I have ever seen. Our National Guard Appreciation Day seemed ages in the past. Today there was no celebrating. A cloud of gloom, heavily laden with fear, hovered over this assemblage. It was a day of sadness. As I moved through the crowd, snapping pictures randomly, tears blurred my vision. I was constantly wiping my eyes in order to be able to focus my camera. The joy of five days ago was gone. I saw little ones with tears in their eyes holding on to mothers and fathers. I saw parents stifling sobs. I saw brave men and women in uniform trying desperately to appear strong, their quivering lips and strained expressions belying a false front. Today, August 12, 2004, was the day of departure. A day of sad farewells, tears and prayers. For high-resolution prints of any of these and other photos of Dyersburg events please contact Darrell or Jean Butler - Publishers of "A Page In Time" Magazine.
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