All Gave Some, Some Gave All

I heard the Billy Ray Cyrus song, "All Gave Some, Some Gave All" on the radio the other day. I hadn't heard it in a while. What a song.

Because of two meetings that got dismissed or moved, I had the opportunity and honor to ride with the Patriot Guard to Vernon today for the funeral service of one of our soldiers who was killed in Iraq last week. The Patriot Guard are motorcyclists who travel to the funerals of our fallen soldiers and veterans. The riders hold large American flags at the church and/or cemetary.

The reason for the Patriot Guard is to be a line of support for the family of the fallen soldier. Who are they being shielded from? Americans (well that's debatable) that's who. Demonstrators at funerals, in our country…I just can't get my mind around the mentality of a person….I'll stop, because it won't be pretty. Any way, the Guard position themselves between any protestors and the family - (note: there were no protestors to disturb the funeral service)

It was something to see riding from the church to the cemetery and seeing flags everywhere, people lining the streets in support. There were something like 86 ½ bikes (one sidecar) and probably 100 to 150 flag holders. I had never been to a full military funeral before, it was something else. Of course, there were flags everywhere but also military presentation complete with buglar playing Taps, a Highlander playing the bag pipes, and a 21 gun salute.

There was also a guy, I believe from Abilene, Texas with replica of the Liberty Bell that was hung between two large stone tablets with the Ten Commandments on them (it all filled a large flatbed trailor). He rang the bell, both at the church and the cemetary - I partially heard that that all the rings represented things.

I did forget my sunscreen (left in a hurry) and my face is burnt to a crisp, but it was an honor to honor someone who gave his life for my freedom. May God protect our troops and bring them home safe and soon.