As I left the Columbarium and headed toward McClellan Gate I passed Section 60. I stopped by the headstone of Capt. Brian ‘‘Bubba” Bunting. Bubba’s service was the first active duty service I conducted at Arlington. I could see in my mind the day that I had been with the casualty notification officer knocking on Brian and Nikki’s door. Although I never met him, over the next few days Brian Bunting had become a real hero to me. And his wife Nikki epitomizes the strength of our incredible military spouses. I know God will bless her and her children in their journey.

I chuckled to myself as I recalled the day I was standing in Section 33 in ceremonial blues conducting a service for a special forces Vietnam veteran. His daughter, who had only truly known her father for the past few years, sat with her husband. The Arlington Lady made three. At the moment the casket team had completed their unfolding of the flag, holding it taut above the urn, the sky opened with a torrential downpour. I presented her the flag with water running out of the three points. And it was perfect.

As I approached the Tomb of the Unknown, I recalled a service I had the privilege of conducting with Father Goudreau and Rabbi Bash. It was a joint service to repatriate five service members from the Korean War. A sister told me ‘‘after nearly sixty years, I am glad he is finally home.” I remembered the Ranger Creed — Never leave a fallen comrade behind.

Of course, when we think of Arlington, the word ‘‘hero” comes to mind. Capt. Vernon Jordan was a true war hero. His company was denied advance by Germans in a fortified house. He voluntarily crawled across an open field, ran to the house under heavy fire, climbed a ladder to a second floor window, and single-handedly cleared the entire house, capturing and killing many enemy soldiers. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross. I was honored to be a part of the service that honored his service to our nation.

As I approached the Old Post Chapel yesterday, I thought of our team. These Army chaplains have truly become brothers to me. They honor every servicemember and spouse with tremendous dignity and compassion. The Soldiers of The Old Guard are amazing. Rather than seeing themselves as in the funeral business, each service is approached by these young Soldiers as the opportunity to honor great Americans who have paved the way. And the Arlington Ladies, women who have served with their husbands or have themselves served, don’t just represent the chiefs of staff. They represent the best of America with their gentleness and sincere gratefulness to those who grieve.

As I stepped through the gate at Old Post Chapel, I realized that my life has been enriched greatly by an assignment that I had initially wondered if I would like.

When we honor those who have served our great nation, it changes us. I know it has made me a better chaplain, a better husband and father, a better man, a better and more proud American. May God bless those who honor our great men and women in uniform, past and present and comfort those who grieve on these hallowed hills. It truly is where honor rests.