April 16, 2011
A little of what was lost is found
Like many my husband and I go through periods of longing for a small town home feel. We talk about how we’d love to live in a small community where everyone knows each others name (and by default every detail of each others lives) and smiles and waves. Small town America, where the flag stands proud and strong. Where your neighbor is never an enemy and will come to your aid at a glance. Kind of like the world once was. For many reasons we will most likely never move to a small town though. I feel myself thinking the world is so lost sometimes, and that we’ve gotten so far off course from certain things that are important. I know the grass is always greener and todays day and age has some really cool things going on. I’m not knocking it…although I do wish the sense of brotherly love was a little bit more obvious sometimes. I think this is why I’m drawn to certain types of people.
As some of you may know I was blessed to be at the events that transpired for the coming home of US Army Spc. Gary Lee Nelson III. Sadly he is one of our fallen hero’s. The information of his homecoming seems to have traveled slowly across the wires. On Thursday he was escorted to the funeral home in Woodstock, and we were asked to line the streets in his honor. I would estimate there were 200 or 300 people there. I was proud considering so many probably found out so late. Somewhere along the line I decided to put together the dvd for the family, so I felt it important to go out yesterday during the funeral service as well. Plus, the “uglies” (as I learned is what the protestors are referred to) were supposed to rear their heads. I am so proud to say that I was one of probably close to 1,000 people who lined Arnold mill, and the parking lot, at St. Michael. It was small town America at it’s best. The Patriot Guard Riders showed up in full force too. I lost count at 58 bikes. The flag line up to the church was amazing. Some of those men and woman were out there for HOURS waiting to support the family. I’m also proud to report that in Canton, along Riverstone and the route, there were several hundred more supporters. The firetrucks crossed ladders and hung their flags with pride. The whole day was such an impressive sight. I did not continue onto the burial site, although I know it was spectacular. The clouds were ominous and the wind was strong. If you haven’t been to the Ga. National Cemetary in canton you probably don’t know it has a very long windy road leading you into where our fallen heroes lay. I can envision what the site must have been, with over 60 PGR bearing flags, and various military honors followed by their trucks with HUGE billowing flags…our fallen hero and his family in persuit to his final resting place. An amazing site it to be sure. What I don’t envision are the protestors. I learned two very important things yesterday. One was spoken to the PGR from a fellow military man. He said “I am not PGR but I am military, and when I look around I see nothing but family…you are all my family. That man inside is my family. If the uglies show up just remember why we are here. We are here for him, not for them.” He is so right. One thing I realized about these protestors is that they only make us stronger. So let them come with their hatred and venom. I’m not going to judge them, as it’s not my place. However, they made me come out yesterday to be there for the Nelson family and I’m sure that’s the case for a lot of the folks there too. The other very important thing I learned yesterday is that when you hold a flag at an angle it’s a sign of defeat. The flag should be held upright….tride and true bearing the weight of our nation.
From the bottom of my heart, thank you US Army Spc. Gary Nelson…thank you. You have changed my view on many things this past 48 hours. You have shown me that I do live in a small town, and while it may not be evident all the time, the community is very much like it was. While we may feud with our neighbors, there is likely one on your street that will come to your aid. We may get caught up in our lives, but there are still people out there who love others just b/c that is what’s right, and how it should be. Again, I say thank you. To the Nelson family, I am so sorry for your loss, and so grateful to have been a part of it.
