Funeral for a Soldier (Texas Style)

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

[anymouse]

Glad to live in a state where our soldiers and sailors are respected...

What follows is a message from Vicki Pierce (a member of my church here in Highlands Ranch) about her nephew James' funeral (he was serving our country in Iraq):

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, his boots. 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.

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. 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. Shop keepers came outside with their customers and did the same thing.

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.

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 4F club or something, but it continued .... for two and a half miles. 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.

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.

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.

[Wneighbor]

Just one more day when I'm proud to be a Native.

and glad the President is one of us too.

[cavtrooper21]

An absolutly wonderful post anymouse... Thanks!!
Vic, DD,
Guys this is one of the good things (did I say good, I meant GREAT) about Texas (at least small town Texas)
They take care of their own.

[cavtrooper21]

Sam,
I think this one deserves the troopers, if you would be so kind...
Thanks

[tubebender]

You have to see this in case you haven't yet...

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for sharing. Probably not very many dry eyes left in Freeper Land after viewing this incredible outpouring of love and respect for their fallen neighbor.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for the ping!

After all of the Gray Davis garbage and the garbage of the lies about Nigeria, it was great to see this.

[Dick Bachert]

To fallen soldiers let us sing
Where no rockets fly nor bullets wing
Our broken brothers let us bring
To the Mansions of the Lord

No more bleeding, no more fight
No prayers pleading through the night
Just divine embrace, eternal light
In the Mansions of the Lord

Where no mothers cry and no children weep
We will stand and guard though the angels sleep
Through the ages safely keep
The Mansions of the Lord.

***********

[Vic3O3]

Oh, wow...too bad all of the fallen don't get such a loving send-off...at least this troop is well remembered.

[CHICAGOFARMER]

thank you for the post.

We true Americans are so proud of our soldiers.

[anymouse]

Thanks for keeping this thread bumped.

[FreedomCalls]

BTTT

[CHICAGOFARMER]

bump

[herkbird]

I just read this on Raging Bull and was amazed that most southern towns still show respect to our fallen Soldier heroes. The web site below is what I saw posted:

SOLDIER'S FUNERAL TEXAS STYLE
Address:http://members.accessus.net/~tmcdonld/lighthse/Texas Changed:3:16 AM on Thursday, December 11, 2003

RIP to a TRUE AMERICAN HEROE

[gridlock]

This is reposted on andrewsullivan.com today. I had never seen it before. Man, that gets things blurry real quick...

[ROCKTX]

I WORKED FOR SEC OF STATE IN MICHIGAN AND NOW LIVE IN TEXAS. I RECEIVED THE EMAIL ABOUT JAMES PIERCE AND WAS SO PROUD OF THIS PERSON ,FOR HE GAVE HIS LIFE FOR HIS COUNTY WITH NO REGRET, I PRAY FOR HIS FAMILY AND SO PROUD TO SAY I AM A TEXAN, AND YES WE REALLY DO CARE ABOUT OUR TROOPS.

[anymouse]

Thanks for adding some life to this thread.

[FortWorthPatriot]

I realize it is a bit strange that I am replying to an alomst 8 year old thread, but I just got an email forwarded to me today (03-15-2011) with these photos with the title "Funeral in Tennessee."

The first thing I noticed was the vehicle inspection sign shaped like the state of Texas with the state flag painted on it, which made me think the funeral was not in fact in Tennessee. I did a quick search of Karr Docc and found your comment in this thread.

Great email but it is a shame that people have to change the location to make it "theirs." Especially 8 years after the fact.