(NOTE: I can't seem to get the hang of posting pictures on this new forum...sorry. So I didn't include any. Maybe you could ask Royal to send the email to you, if you're interested)
Hey guys,
I've seen this (email) once before...last year. I was surprised how it still tightened my chest with pride and brought a swell of silent tears to my eyes. God bless the spirit of America that still dwells in the hearts of its citizens. The UPS man who always seems to be in such a hurry, the blurry little blonde boy looking earnestly at the passing line of cars with the horse trailer in the farm field behind, the Mexican family on the corner, the normally giggly teen girls and the little Cub Scout at the far left of his picture saluting with the wrong hand all just seemed so painfully sincere in their homage to the passing of a young favorite son of their hometown that I just had to comment.
Thanks to Royal for once again reminding us of who we are, where we come from and of the people we should always be.
God bless all our US troops and those solid allies who stand in harm's way to protect us every day, even when we forget they are even there. They are in Afghanistan, Iraq, Korea, Guantanimo Bay, throughout Europe, in the Far East. They are upon the high seas, on our coasts and in the air. They trudge the rocky ridges and valleys, kick up the dust in the deserts, make their way along and through dangerous roads, alleys and open killing zones. Some haven't yet known the sweaty fear of combat and, if lucky, may never. Yet they stand as ready in their assignments as truck drivers, mechanics, pay and supply clerks as those who face the mortars, bullets and bombs every day in their daily missions.
No matter where they are stationed or what their occupational specialty may be, they all suffer incredible boredom and lonliness; yet remain tense and alert. Despite all the potential danger and unfriendly conditions they still...somehow, find an ability - maybe even a "need" - to give a small kid who doesn't even speak the same language, a token smile and even a Skittle or stick of gum as they pass in the street. Even as a home townsperson they once knew did the same for them when they were back home...back when they were still little, innocent...and safe.
God bless them, every one!
Art SC
Below is the Email (text) that Royal sent me...as is:
People can talk about Texas all they want, but this has renewed my faith in mankind God bless America. At least they give some respect for a soldier who has died. God bless them. Take a look at these pictures.
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."
Hey guys,
I've seen this (email) once before...last year. I was surprised how it still tightened my chest with pride and brought a swell of silent tears to my eyes. God bless the spirit of America that still dwells in the hearts of its citizens. The UPS man who always seems to be in such a hurry, the blurry little blonde boy looking earnestly at the passing line of cars with the horse trailer in the farm field behind, the Mexican family on the corner, the normally giggly teen girls and the little Cub Scout at the far left of his picture saluting with the wrong hand all just seemed so painfully sincere in their homage to the passing of a young favorite son of their hometown that I just had to comment.
Thanks to Royal for once again reminding us of who we are, where we come from and of the people we should always be.
God bless all our US troops and those solid allies who stand in harm's way to protect us every day, even when we forget they are even there. They are in Afghanistan, Iraq, Korea, Guantanimo Bay, throughout Europe, in the Far East. They are upon the high seas, on our coasts and in the air. They trudge the rocky ridges and valleys, kick up the dust in the deserts, make their way along and through dangerous roads, alleys and open killing zones. Some haven't yet known the sweaty fear of combat and, if lucky, may never. Yet they stand as ready in their assignments as truck drivers, mechanics, pay and supply clerks as those who face the mortars, bullets and bombs every day in their daily missions.
No matter where they are stationed or what their occupational specialty may be, they all suffer incredible boredom and lonliness; yet remain tense and alert. Despite all the potential danger and unfriendly conditions they still...somehow, find an ability - maybe even a "need" - to give a small kid who doesn't even speak the same language, a token smile and even a Skittle or stick of gum as they pass in the street. Even as a home townsperson they once knew did the same for them when they were back home...back when they were still little, innocent...and safe.
God bless them, every one!
Art SC
Below is the Email (text) that Royal sent me...as is:
People can talk about Texas all they want, but this has renewed my faith in mankind God bless America. At least they give some respect for a soldier who has died. God bless them. Take a look at these pictures.
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."