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.

[McLynnan]

Thanks, Mo! If this is the funeral I heard about a few months ago, it was in a rural area outside of San Antonio. Makes me proud of my fellow Texans, but this could be any small town in flyover land, don't you think?

[Mo1]

It might be a small town, but it represents the heart of America and all that is good

[4CJ]

That gave me chillbumps, filled me with respect, and brought tears to my eyes. God bless them all.

[TXnMA]

From a family of proud and grateful Texans:

Thank you, SPC James Kiehl -- and Welcome Home!!

[Alamo-Girl]

Praise God!!! for this man, for his family, for his community and for this country.

[Centurion2000]

bump .... thank God for Texas.

[baseballmom]

Thanks for the ping Mo.

A beautiful tribute to a . God bless him and his family.

[deport]

What happened to Spc. James Kiehl that made his widow sick after meeting with military breifers?

Kiehl laid to rest with full military honors

[Nita Nupress]

Thanks for making the connection. Here are some MUST-READ stories about James Keihl that include info on his baptism 11 days before dying:

Lynches meet the family of soldier lost in Iraq ambush (includes photo of Keihl)
http://www.herald-dispatch.com/2003/May/26/LNtop1.htm

Army Spc. James M. Kiehl
http://www.militarycity.com/iraq/1739095.html

War hero laid to rest
http://www.dailytimes.com/report.lasso?wcd=5439

I have a photo of a soldier being baptized in Iraq, but I've never been able to identify it as being Keihl. Anyone out there have an information on that photo? If you've seen it, you wouldn't forget it.

[baseballmom]

Should be -

A beautiful tribute to a beloved son.

[snippy_about_it]

Thank you anymouse for posting this, what a wonderful show of support and honor from the community.

Thanks SAM for the ping.

[armymarinemom]

Thanks for the link to the web page. I passed this along to a couple of moms. We cried but it helps to keep them going. We have had some rough times the last few weeks due to one of our moms having a son that was caught in an ambush that took the lives of two of his fellow Rangers. Such a show of support does the families a lot of good.

[Brad’s Gramma]

Ping

[Fawnn]

Thanks for the ping.

The sight of all of those children holding flags had to be inspiring for the family at such a sad time.

As for myself, the sight of all of those children holding flags makes me happy to see evidence that there are still children in this country being raised correctly.

[BenR2]

Unreal. Beautiful.

Thank you.

Signed,

An Army Dad

[hoosiermama]

Thanks for the ping

God HAS blessed America!

[68-69TonkinGulfYachtClub]

"God HAS blessed America!"

AMEN

[swheats]

This young man's life was truly not in vain. The lives that have been changed just by a simple act of showing respect is awesome.

[Brad’s Gramma]

As for myself, the sight of all of those children holding flags makes me happy to see evidence that there are still children in this country being raised correctly

Far more than you'd realize. Rest assured.

[It's me]

I didn't read the post. The photo's brought tears to my eyes. God Bless him.