“Thank You, Son”: A Fallen Warrior Comes Home to Comfort

Tom's Lighthouse ^ | 2003 | Vicki Pierce

[B-Chan]

“[T]he 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. 

“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.”

[B-Chan]

IN MEMORIAM
Army Spc. James M. Kiehl
507th Maintenance Company, Fort Bliss, Texas
22 years old
Comfort, Texas

Killed in action after his convoy was ambushed in Iraq on March 23, 2003.

[B-Chan]

My mother sent me this. I thought I’d share it with you all.

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[Angelwood]

Thanks for sharing. This brought tears to my eyes. Oh, but it was a grand outpouring of love and respect from those who cared deeply for him and those who live in the communities nearby!

[jla]

Despite her faults, America isn't too bad a place, is it?

B-Chan...Thanks for this wonderful, heartwarming & inspiring story.

[StrictTime]

I'm speechless. And wiping tears from the keyboard. God bless his family and all the people who showed their respects that day. Wonderful. Thank you for sharing.

[Bobibutu]

It's been hitting the net all day - thanks for posting - I just got home and had 3 msgs with the link - Small town southern - just don't get any better.

B

[Dr. Marten]

BUMP!!

[TheSpottedOwl]

Thank you for sharing this!

[familyop]

Thanks. That's a sweet post.

[Dr. Marten]

Ping!

[Wumpus Hunter]

A wonderful post - Thank You and BTTT!

The Rats and Liberals just don't get it, do they?

[basil]

This is Texas at it's best! Thanks, B-Chan, for posting this thread.

[cincysux]

Very moving

[SandRat]

Get your tissue box out your gonna need it.

PING!
BTTT!

[StarCMC]

Thanks for charing B-Chan.

Honoring a fallen hero ping.

May God give his family comfort in their loss.

[Ragtime Cowgirl]

This came out last summer, and is making its way around the net today...reaching a far larger audience. Great post.

Chief Wiggles just linked it as well.

God bless our troops, and Texans (and others) who love them.

[brushcop]

James is from Comfort, his service was held in Comfort and he was buried in Center Point, the town next to us. The kids lining the roads with US flags were from the entire school district of Center Point, not Comfort, credit needs to go where deserved. They ranged from grade school through high school, it was very moving.

Representatives from many Texas law enforcment agencies directed traffic, not just Texas Rangers, many of our officers wear a white shirt and the traditional white straw hat (in Summer), which gives the impression that they are Rangers.

The kids that lined the roads leading to and from Center Point to the cemetery was organized on very short notice by school officials, one of the HS coaches spearheaded the idea. The kids were very dignified, no skylarking was noticed by our party whatsoever, from the youngest to the oldest.

RB
Comfort, TX

[Pan_Yans Wife]

Okay... blurry screen, and thanks to the "heart" of America.

[iceskater]

Thanks for the ping. I am wiping tears off the keyboard.