That teared me up... Where are the pictures?
SOLDIER'S FUNERAL, TEXAS STYLE
What follows is a message from Vicki Pierce 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. 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 4H 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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