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