soldier funeral Texas style

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toonertoo

Guest
This is great, I hope I can get it to upload. If you dont read it see the pic. That represents us.
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.

(Message edited by toonertoo on August 02, 2005)
 
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over9five

Guest
What an awesome send-off for an American hero. I think its great how the whole town came together like that.

Excellent pic, but don't show management...(They would only see him stealing time).
 
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ups_vette

Guest
Some of you people are truly unbelievable. On a thread relating to the showing respect for a fallen American hero, a man who gave his life for his Country, some jackass had to add a comment degrating UPS management.

I have nothing but pity for such a person who can not, even for an occasion like that, show respect for a hero and not make a stupid comment.
 
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ok2bclever

Guest
Yep, let's turn this into a name calling thread vette that will help.

Considering the statement seriously I don't think they would go after the time issue, but I know that management would logically consider the obviously unsecured bulkhead telling regarding that driver's habits in this regard.

Touching story though.
 
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susiedriver

Guest
Another parade to honor those who won't be coming home:

The Iraq war is daily more horrific, for Iraqis and Americans. And that is finally being felt here. Something is slowly changing in this country. Another reader sent me a small piece from his local weekly, the Mount Desert Islander, describing a Fourth of July parade in Bar Harbor, Maine. I hung onto it doggedly, not quite knowing why. Now I do. Here's part of the description:

"It ran through the crowd, a spontaneous, rolling wave of solidarity more than two miles long. In total it lasted for more than an hour. While Fourth of July parade entries with a decidedly political bent are nothing new in Bar Harbor, the reaction Monday to a group protesting the loss of life in Iraq was different. In the past, peace activists usually were greeted with stony silence. As they marched Monday, carrying banners adorned with scores of small American flags and the names of more than 1,400 Americans who have died in combat, several dozen protesters were instead greeted by a wave of applause from crowds of spectators on both sides of the street. It followed the group for most of the route. Politicians in Washington D.C. don't need expensive opinion polls to see how deep the erosion of public support for the war in Iraq has gone. All they needed to do Monday was to watch events unfold on the streets of a small town in Maine on the Fourth of July."

Full article:
http://antiwar.com/engelhardt/
 
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toonertoo

Guest
There were many more pics in the article, I just posted the one of the driver as it is a UPS person, who took the time, and I am sure it slowed them down, and it didnt matter.
As for the bulkhead door, if you are taking a break with your vehicle, I believe it is fine to open it and let the 100 degree+ heat out a little bit. If its not, then Oh well I do it too.
 
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over9five

Guest
Vette,
Please reread my post. I most certainly did show respect for the hero. But lets face it, Its what everybody was thinking. YOU were the one who brought done the thread with the foul name calling. Get a life, you know who we work for.
 
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dannyboy

Guest
As a driver for many years, I allways stop for a funeral. First off, it is the right thing to do. Secondly, why get your panties in a wad for something you have no control over.

not long ago we lost a fireman due to a rescue gone bad. I got caught on the sidelines of the line of cars for almost 90 minutes. It was my duty and pleasure to stand there as the family and fellow workers went by.

And if management had a problem with it, they never mentioned it to me.

I believe it is a young lady in the photo if you look close enough, not that it matters.

d
 
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bamboonga

Guest
Wow...that's a lot of people for one church...or one funeral...

Anybody know where he died or what unit he was in?
 
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