A reminder of sacrifices paid..... Glad to live in a state where our military
is respected...
What follows is a message from Vicki Pierce (a member of my church here
in Highlands Ranch) about her nephew James' funeral (he was serving our
country in Iraq):
I'm back, it was certainly a quick trip, but I have to also say it was one of the
most amazing experiences of my life. There is a lot to be said for growing up in
a small town in Texas.
The service itself was impressive with wonderful flowers and sprays, a
portrait of James, his uniform and boots, his awards and ribbons, his boots.
There was lots of military brass and an eloquent (though inappropriately
longwinded) Baptist preacher. There were easily 1000 people at the service,
filling the church sanctuary as well as the fellowship hall and spilling out into the
parking lot.
However, the most incredible thing was what happened following the service
on the way to the cemetery. We went to our cars and drove to the cemetery
escorted by at least 10 police cars with lights flashing and some other emergency
vehicles, with Texas Rangers handling traffic. Everyone on the road who was not
in the procession, pulled over, got out of their cars, and stood silently and
respectfully, some put their hands over their hearts, some had small flags. Shop
keepers came outside with their customers and did the same thing. Construction
workers stopped their work, got off their equipment and put their hands over their
hearts, too. There was no noise whatsoever except a few birds and the quiet hum
of cars going slowly up the road.
When we turned off the highway suddenly there were teenage boys along both
sides of the street about every 20 feet or so, all holding large American flags on
long flag poles, and again with their hands on their hearts. We thought at first it was
the Boy Scouts or 4F club or something, but it continued .... for two and a half miles.
Hundreds of young people, standing silently on the side of the road with flags. At
one point we passed an elementary school, and all the children were outside,
shoulder to shoulder holding flags ... kindergartners, handicapped, teachers, staff,
everyone. Some held signs of love and support. Then came teenage girls and
younger boys, all holding flags. Then adults. Then families. All standing silently on
the side of the road. No one spoke, not even the very young children. The last few
turns found people crowded together holding flags or with their hands on their
hearts. Some were on horseback.
The military presence...at least two generals, a fist full of colonels, and
representatives from every branch of the service, plus the color guard which
attended James, and some who served with him ... was very impressive and
respectful, but the love and pride from this community who had lost one of their own
was the most amazing thing I've ever been privileged to witness.
I've attached some pictures, some are blurry (we were moving), but you can
get a small idea of what this was like. Thanks so much for all the prayers and
support.
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