I wanted to do something special for my 1000 post. This seemed appropriate for the 4th of July.

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.

Incredibly touching...thank you for sharing.

Very touching indeed.

From the song "Freedom's Child"--3rd Verse--

Drifting through a crowded park,
Pass an empty swing;

Hidden in a sparrows eye,
When it's on the wing;

Planted on a lonely hill,
With his name as known;

Freedom's Child was laid to rest,
Singing Freedom's Song;

-----------------
Texans know that song...Ed.

Thank You, Mickey!!

Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends.

Rest in Peace James!

Ladies, and Gentelmen, this is just a little glimps of the Brotherhood of Texans, that seems so hard for others to understand. As Rusty says,in his sig line, and though it is from Shakespeare,not Texas, it fits!

"WE BAND OF BROTHERS"

R.I.P. James

Is this a great country or what? and God Bless Texas.

My prayers have been said for this young soldier and he will sit in Heaven with those who died at the Alamo, of that I have no doubt, for our fathers house has many rooms.

God bless this young man and those who honored and remembered him.
God bless the Republic! God bless all who have fought and those who have fallen. These brave men who serve our country, have paid a grave price for our freedom.
We shall not forget.

God bless America. God bless the fallen heros of Texas.
God bless us all.

Rusty
We band of brothers!

Thank you for sharing what this country once was and showing that it still exists!

As said by others, God Bless the men and women who have lost a life while serving their country.
This is the America our foes need to see, not what is shown on TV. Speaking of TV, were the newstations there? or are we just not seeing there presence in the pictures.

And people elsewhere in the world laugh at examples of Americans that are most represented in Texas. Well I am not a Texan, but I am dam sure proud to live in the same country they do!

And even though my military service did not carry me into harms way, it makes me proud to have worn the same uniform that young men and women like this young man wore!

I love my country most, because I love the spirit and the heart of the citizens of this country! And Texans are showing us the way this day. May God bless this young man and his family, and may all of our prayers be with them at their time of loss.

There were alot more pictures but I could only post so many. I have no idea if the press was there but what matters is that his friends and neighbors were.

I went to a High School that had the highest number of casulties in Viet Nam of any High School in the State of Washington. I went to two of these funerals of friends that were only a year older than myself.

That is one of the reasons that this touched my Heart so much.

Wow! Don't how to say too much else.

Thanks for the pictures Mickey. It is especially great to see the youngsters in the photos. Maybe this generation of Americans isn't as lost as some people think they are - at least not in Texas.