Posted on 04/26/2005 9:53:50 AM PDT by yankeedame
Sometimes we forget that there is a huge price that has been paid for all the freedoms we enjoy and cherish in this country. This will definitely remind us of the cost of those freedoms.
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."
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These photos are awesome!!
Are you crying yet? I am, and unshamedly. God Bless our soldiers!!!!!!!!!!
Thank you for sharing that with us. My cousin, Spec Jeremy McHallfey was killed in Iraq on January 4th. I'm proud to say that I'm still enough of an American to have teared up viewing those pictures from this funeral.
Oh this is nice. What town is it?
Damn you.
You've got a 54 yr old man sitting at his desk with tears in his eyes.
Thank You
Tears for a Hero.
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| A Soldier's Funeral--Texas Style (again) ^ |
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| Posted by AnalogReigns On News/Activism ^ 01/29/2004 12:36:38 AM EST · 6 replies · 205+ views tomslighthouse.net ^ | Unknown SOLDIER'S FUNERAL, TEXAS STYLE I found this quote to sum up what most of us all feel "Obviously, Texas does not have the market on people who care, but it is nice to see that people in general are so thankful for what our military men and women are doing for us." Specialist James Kiehl, age 22, from Comfort, Texas, was killed, along with six other soldiers at the same place and the same day that Jessica Lynch was taken prisoner. His body was one of those that our special forces heroes dug up with their bare hands near the... |
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| A Soldier's Funeral - Texas Style ^ |
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| Posted by I_Publius On News/Activism ^ 01/06/2004 5:45:05 PM EST · 8 replies · 45+ views Webpage (unknown) ^ | Summer 2003 | Vicki Pierce & Donna Smith SOLDIER'S FUNERAL, TEXAS STYLE Specialist James Kiehl, age 22, from Comfort, Texas, was killed, along with six other soldiers at the same place and the same day that Jessica Lynch was taken prisoner. His body was one of those that our special forces heroes dug up with their bare hands near the hospital in Iraq. They held the funeral service in Comfort at the Baptist Church, and then took him ten miles to Center Point, Texas, and buried him. A friend visited his grave July 4th, and it was a moving experience. He was compelled to offer a salute, and... |
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| Soldier's Funeral, Texas Style ^ |
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| Posted by Athelas On News/Activism ^ 12/25/2003 1:09:48 PM EST · 22 replies · 36+ views Jonah's Military Guys ^ |
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| Soldier's Funeral, Texas-Style ^ |
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| Posted by hardhead On News/Activism ^ 12/23/2003 11:22:45 AM EST · 31 replies · 28+ views members.accessus.net ^ | Unknown | Vicki Pierce I can't remember the true quote so I'm gisting here, but Walter Cronkite once said that on a no-news day the media would present it to the public with the same gusto as if it were a news-banner day. Thus they fill their broadcasts with uninteresting drivel when there are very moving stories from small-town America that, as in this case, elicit heart-tugging and tears. This is the way our military dead should be honored. With all the junk on TV and all we hear about in the press, here is a story that restores faith in this country. http://members.accessus.net |
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| Funeral for a Soldier (Texas Style) ^ |
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| Posted by anymouse On News/Activism ^ 07/12/2003 4:34:25 PM EDT · 173 replies · 281+ views E-mail from former Congressman Steve Stockman | July 12, 2003 | Vicki Pierce Glad to live in a state where our soldiers and sailors are 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... |
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You have my condolences to you about your cousin......he didn't give his life in vain. Jeremy served a much greater cause than 90% of the citizens in this country will ever endure. May God Bless you and all your family and a special American who accepted the challenge.
Texas citizens are the greatest!!!!
Thank you and I agree. Jeremy joined the Marine Corps after high school. Then later was in the Arkansas National Guard. He wanted to serve his country.
http://www.jewishworldreview.com/cols/greenberg020405.asp
This is an interesting and VERY well written article from the Operations Officer, 1-153rd Infantry, 39th Infantry Brigade, Arkansas Army National Guard.
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