SwiftVets.com

davman · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 12:25 pm Post subject: Soldiers Funeral

God Bless America !!

I received this via e-mail. it came with pictures, but I can not figure out how to attach them. Sorry, but itis good anyway!

What follows is a message from Vicki Pierce 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. 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.

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. 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 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."

Please send this on after a short prayer.

Prayer for our soldiers...please don't break it

Prayer

"Lord, hold our troops in your loving hands. Protect them as they

protect us. Bless them and their families for the selfless acts they

perform for us in our time of need. I ask this in the name of Jesus, our

Lord and Savior. Amen."

Prayer Request: When you receive this, please stop for a moment and say a

prayer for our troops around the world.

There is nothing attached.... .. Just send this to all the

people in your address book. Do not let it stop with you, please....

Of all the gifts you could give a US Soldier, Sailor, Airman, Marine &others

deployed in harm's way,

Prayer is the very best one!

Hydrology_joe · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 1:45 pm Post subject:

The pictures can be found at Snopes.com.

http://www.snopes.com/photos/military/kiehl.asp

LewWaters · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 2:02 pm Post subject:

Thank God for Small Town America. That is the real strength of America.
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Clark County Conservative

davman · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 2:11 pm Post subject:

I have the misfortune of being from Massachusetts. Stories like this make me want to move. Only my stubborn determination to correct the stupidity that goes on here keeps me.

Rdtf · CNO Joined: 13 May 2004 Posts: 2209 Location: BUSHville

Thanks for posting this!!

dusty · Posted: Thu Aug 11, 2005 4:05 pm Post subject:

I got it too a few weeks ago. Impressed me so much I made a webpage for it.
http://www.geocities.com/dusty1usa/

I posted it under the topic; Military Tributes on page 4
http://www.swiftvets.com/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=1638&start=45

Been wishing I could find the name of the town. Thanks for the Snopes link, I now know it was Comfort, Tx.
And if you follow the link on the Snopes page, this webpage does the story much more justice than my feeble effort.
http://www.jameskiehl.com/

Dusty
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Left and Wrong are the opposite of Right!