People
who live in
People
who live in
People
who live in
I
would travel due west from our home north of
In
I
entered the front door of the funeral home and found the Men’s room. It was 12 feet by 8 feet with the three
fixtures evenly space along one of the long walls. When I came out, a woman was nearby, busy
with administrative details. I thanked
her for the use of the facility.
Her
father-in-law bought the Lutheran church and converted it into a funeral
home. Her grandson was Andy’s best
friend.
~~~
Mr.
& Mrs. Bowman have four sons. All four
are active PGR members. The first and
third oldest are in
But
it would be the youngest,
He
told us about Andy and he told us about the gravel road up to the hilltop
cemetery. Brother made sure he touched
all the bases.
We
listened more and then we were led in prayer.
And
then we lined the walk with ourselves and our flags. It had rained earlier but the day had become
very comfortable.
Everyone
is always looking for ways to do more.
Dave held the door as people entered.
But
once everything is done, the Ride Captain finds a place in the line and prays
again.
Across
the street was evidence that the parents of a Marine were inside.
And
just beyond their car was a small house with a big porch. And a small girl with big
eyes. She may not remember the
funeral but she will always remember our flags.
I was
getting over a cold so I was in the truck today and went with the advance group
to the cemetery. Steering with my knees
and twisting out the window I was able to get this view of our detail and the
beautiful countryside.
It is
smarter to shoot through the mirror, however.
I
parked on the road near the cemetery entrance and Jon gave me a ride up the
hill. In addition to the army detail
there were members from several VFW posts waiting. One of the soldiers asked if she could pose
with the older guys. Everyone was pleased
by the suggestion.
Soldiers
and veterans gathered at a cemetery waiting for our fallen hero to arrive,
there was a quiet camaraderie. The
biggest decision is the decision to join.
But then follows many other choices that an individual can make to take
his military career in one direction or another.
But
the biggest choice is made by God. Most
will live but some will die. They have
all made the decision to face the fire and do their duty, whatever that may
entail. That is the essence of a good soldier.
They
don’t let you be a General unless you are already a good soldier, but being a
good soldier is not enough. He must be
an accomplished executive to manage as complex an organization as any in
corporate
As a
Brigadier General, he has those things plus he must make sure the United States
Army can effectively face any foe in the world.
Success or failure is not measured by quarterly earnings,
it is measured on the battlefield.
General’s
wives have duty too. Reba finds that one
of the PGR wears her son’s image on her necklace.
Then
suddenly, six Staff Sergeants representing six divisions snap into a single
formation.
The
procession had arrived. It was time for
me to set down the camera and pick up a flag.
But
no one expects me to pick up a rifle and face an enemy. Hence my debt to those who
do.
~~~
And
then it was over.
I
would reverse my path and first travel the 12 miles back to
And
then the 120 miles back home. The
He
died when the corn was taller than tractors if not their trailers.
Pictures,
album one of two
Pictures,
album two of two
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