Posted on 01/06/2004 2:45:05 PM PST by I_Publius
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 a simple "thank you, son" over the small grave (since he was cremated). There is no head stone as yet, only the metal funeral home tag. At his head are two fairly large American flags, and surrounding the grave are a dozen or more small ones, on sticks stuck in the ground. People have left mementos to honor his life.
The most remarkable thing at the grave is a rather crude sign, evidently made hastily from whatever could be found in a car or van. It reads: To the parents of Spc. James Kiehl. Thank you for your son. His acts of heroism make this a better country and a better world. It is signed by the Boy Scout Troop of East Bernard, Texas, some 200 miles distant.
What follows is a message from Vicki Pierce about her nephew James' funeral:
"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. 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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
Shop keepers came outside with their customers and did the same thing.
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.
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.
James' wife was expecting when he died and has a son now.
~~~~ Thank you Donna Smith (Texas) for the additional information for this web page ~~~~
FALLEN HEROES MEMORIAL ARMY SPC. JAMES M. KIEHL http://www.fallenheroesmemorial.com/oif/profiles/kiehljamesm.html
http://members.accessus.net/~tmcdonld/lighthse/Texas.htm
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I find myself forgetting that the majority of Americans are like these people in Texas and not like the ones that we see on TV.
These are the people that simply quietly go about their lives, love their country and know the price that has been and is being paid to keep it the best country on the earth.
MKM
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