My Honor Part 2...

Well, as of yesterday at 5 PM, I was officially done with a very exhausting, but very rewarding service for the soldier I escorted home on Sunday. I must say that it was quite a service. There was approx. 400 people total, 40 something motorcycles, news media and the Liberty Bell. Yes, I said Liberty Bell!
But, before we get into the service, let me tell you about the trip home from DFW International Airport. I arrived at 11:20 to a DFW Police escort that led me from the south entrance of the airport, back around to the tarmac entrance on the backside of the airport. My only question is, why didn't I have to go through security clearance? I mean, I would never try anything, but it made me a bit leery after the fact, knowing that I was able to enter the runway area, and drive right up to the belly of a plane without so much as even a question for proof of who I was. Kinda scary, but anyway. Once I arrived at the belly of the plane, the military stood at attention, pulled the casket out, and placed it in the funeral coach. We were then led out of the airport with both DFW Police escort and Patriot Guard Riders on their motorcycles with large flags waving. I'm sure people wondered who had died, with this escort almost fitting for a president.

On the trip home, we never had to stop. Each intersection, entrance ramp, and crossover from Grapevine on Hwy. 114 all the way up 287 into Wichita Falls was blocked by either a Sheriff's car, Highway Patrol, or City Police, with the officer standing at attention outside of their vehicle. I looked out the rearview mirror at one point and saw miles and miles of traffic, slowly following along behind us. It was then that I noticed that two Highway Patrol cars were following up the rear of the procession in both lanes of traffic, blocking all would be passers who may be in a hurry. Not a car passed me all the way home! It truly was amazing!

Upon arrival to Wichita Falls, we were greeted by Wichita County Sheriff's Deputies who lead us the remainder of the way home, seeing as the City of Wichita Falls see it unnecessary to provide Police escorts to funeral processions (which is another story for another day). Thank you Wichita County Sheriff's Office for your care and concern for this family and this soldier.

As we exited the highway at Rathgeber road, a two-lane country road that would lead us safely to the funeral home, I saw flags lining the roadway. I'm not talking about small little flags. I'm talking about the large military issue kind, lining the road about every 20 ft or so, and since the wind blew 30 plus mph, it was quite a sight to see!

Upon arrival to the funeral home, the Army Honor Guard, marched the casket from the coach, to the viewing room where they performed their inspections and guarded while the family had a private time with their son before a two hour visitation Sunday evening.
Back to Monday: The Liberty Bell was an exact replica of the real thing and for the full hour previous to the funeral, tolled every 20 seconds. Yeah, I could definitely see where it could be annoying in any other setting, but in this one, it set the tone for the service. One of respect and dignity deserving only of a soldier in the US military. During the last 5 minutes prior to the service, the bell tolled every 10 seconds, three times. All of this, symbolism that if you want to learn more, go to their website.The service was shorter than expected, but no less honorable. The soldier's brother spoke about his life, in and out of the military with his brother and how his brother didn't want to leave him behind in Iraq, when he was due to come home. See, both brothers are in the Army and the living brother actually had to fly home from Iraq in order to attend the service. It was quite moving.

The graveside ceremony was also moving, with Patriot Guard lining the roads of the cemetery with flags to map out our route to the grave. There was the Normal Military Honors with the addition of the ringing of the Liberty Bell that followed to mark the end of the service. If you want to see the news story, go here.

It was quite an experience and one I won't soon forget. Just another reason I am proud to be an American.

-approved by Farley Wells, CMDI.