Funeral for a Soldier (Texas Style)

E-mail from former Congressman Steve Stockman | July 12, 2003 | Vicki Pierce

[harpseal]

Awe inspiring.

[Rightly Biased]

Well you messed up my wifes "going to church" makeup and got salt in my coffee. (durn tears)

Thanks anymouse I hope you don't mind but I forwarded this to many friends.

I am an American by birth but a Texan only by God's Grace

Regards
RB <><

[MEG33]

Tears rolling down my cheeks and I rarely do that.What a Beautiful Magnificent,Fitting tribute the people of Comfort and others gave this fine young man and his wonderful family.I thank God for small town Texas.Thank you for allowing me to share this.God bless our armed forces.May the mourning be comforted.

[Clara Lou]

Even the UPS guy.... [Where are my tissues?]

[MEG33]

Thank you for the links.A tough read.

[Darksheare]

Thanks for the ping.
Texas patriots, the Heart of the Storm.
"I bring thee a Star."

[Bizzy Bugz]

Thank you for forwarding this article to me.I am so sad for the Soldier and his family. But so happy for so many FINE Americans who know what to do at a time like that. Do hope that other Americans will follow that wonder tribute, whether it be a death of an American Soldier or any other way to say " I LOVE AMERICA "

[Amelia]

RBA, thanks for the ping. You owe me some Kleenex.

anymouse, fabulous post - the most touching thing I've seen lately.

[alligator]

Tearful patriotic ping...

[cpdiii]

This brings tears to all our eyes. It also strikes fear into the hearts of our enemies.

[VOA]

This is from back in April, the funeral of U.S. Army Spc. James Kiehl, of the
507th Maintenance Company. The funeral was in Comfort, Texas, a really tiny town

I'm pretty sure it was the story of the Kiehl family and Comfort, TX in an
article that my brother pointed me to in The National Post (of Canada).

It was a really good article and did as good a job as any I've seen to illuminate
the "no brag, just facts" rightful pride of Texans.
(and of lots of fly-over heartland folks)

While there are lots of stand-up Americans on the Left and East Coasts (e.g.,
San Diego and South Boston as examples), I was happy at the response by some reporters
when the whiney media started complaining that African-Americans military personnel
would be doing the fighting and dying in Iraq.

It was nice to see some REAL journalists check the numbers and say if there
was a demographic that should complain about bearing the brunt of battle, it should
be white males from rural and "economically-disadvantaged" background,
mostly from "The South".

Forget all the whining...as much as I hate us to lose one soldier, it did appear
that those who make the greatest sacrifice were from across the spectrum:
"white", Hispanic/Latino, Asian-American, African-American...sadly, proudly
they all answered the call without flinching.

[Mogger]

Bump

[MissAmericanPie]

God Bless Texas.

[MeekOneGOP]

Thanks. It had an effect on me too.

[CindyDawg]

Just no words as I wipe away the tears. Thanks for sharing this

[wardaddy]

Damned sad.....God Bless Texas!!

[SpookBrat]

Is this really in Comfort? I grew up in Kerrville. Lots of good patriotic Americans live there. It's been a long time since a thread at FR made me reach for my box of kleenex.

Homeschool mama, this is right near your retirement. Can't get their soon enough.

Hometown Bump!

[Dubya]

Thanks for the ping Jeff.
Outstanding people in this town.

[BellStar]

Thank's for the ping! Hope my Dad can see this!

[Dubya]

The Infantryman

The average age of the Infantryman is 19 years. He is a short haired, tight-muscled kid who, under normal circumstances is considered by society as half man, half boy.

Not yet dry behind the ears, but old enough to die for his country. He never really cared much for work and he would rather wax his own car than wash his father's; but he has never collected unemployment either.

He's a recent High School graduate; he was probably an average student, pursued some form of sport activities, drives a ten year old jalopy, and has a steady girlfriend that either broke up with him when he left, or swears to be waiting when he returns from half a world away.

He listens to rock and roll or jazz or swing and 155mm Howitzers. He is 10 or 15 pounds lighter now than when he was at home because he is working or fighting from before dawn to well after dusk.

He has trouble spelling, thus letter writing is a pain for him, but he can field strip a rifle in 30 seconds and reassemble it in less. He can recite to you the nomenclature of a machine gun or grenade launcher and use either one effectively if he must.

He digs foxholes and latrines and can apply first aid like a professional. He can march until he is told to stop or stop until he is told to march. He obeys orders instantly and without hesitation, but he is not without spirit or individual dignity.

He is self-sufficient. He has two sets of fatigues: he washes one and wears the other. He keeps his canteens full and his feet dry. He sometimes forgets to brush his teeth, but never to clean his rifle. He can cook his own meals, mend his own clothes, and fix his own hurts.

If you're thirsty, he'll share his water with you; if you are hungry, his food. He'll even split his ammunition with you in the midst of battle when you run low. He has learned to use his hands like weapons and his weapons like they were his hands. He can save your life -- or take it, because that is his job.

He will often do twice the work of a civilian, draw half the pay and still find ironic humor in it all. He has seen more suffering and death then he should have in his short lifetime. He has stood atop mountains of dead bodies, and helped to create them.

He has wept in public and in private, for friends who have fallen in combat and is unashamed. Just as did his Father, Grandfather, and Great-grandfather, he is paying the price for our freedom. Beardless or not, he is not a boy.

He is the American Fighting Man that has kept this country free for over 200 years. He has asked nothing in return, except our friendship and understanding. Remember him, always, for he has earned our respect and admiration with his blood.

He is an INFANTRYMAN!

Author Unknown