Veterans

   Recently, a soldier killed in Afghanistan was laid to rest at the National Cemetery on Ft. Leavenworth, KS.  The post here lined the streets to pay our respects as his processional passed.  It was very moving.  The Patriot Guard was out in full force. Let me tell you that is a sight to see.  What that must mean to the family of the Soldier is indescribable. 

As the hearse passed by the Soldiers snapped attention.  The tears for me started pushing their way out.  Then the family passed by and the mother or grandmother rolled down the window and said “Thank you”.  I just burst into tears then.  It was so moving.  The processional went on for a few more minutes and then it was over.  It was just so quiet as we all walked back to our homes and offices.

My husband has been deployed on 3 long tours, 10 months, 12 months, and 15 months.  The last one was so hard and left me rather raw.  He had only been home about 3 or 4 months when this all happened and I wasn’t sure I was going to be able to go out to support this family.  I didn’t want to stand on the street bawling.  I was afraid of embarrassing my husband and myself.  In fact I didn’t go out until the last minute.  I felt terrible that I even considered not going.  I knew what this would mean to me if it were my Soldier and I thought, “You know, my tears just might help, just might console the family a little to know that our country was mourning with them.”  I knew it would me.