This is my tribute to a beloved family friend who died in Afghanistan.
His funeral was today and it was the most beautiful of services. When we were driving to his final, I looked out the window of the truck and saw hundreds of people standing by the streets holding flags and holding signs calling him a true American Hero and the many veterans who came and saluted as we drove.
Please enjoy.
Warning: any comments that insult our heroes will be reported.
Ichabod looked on outside and watched as the many people gathered around the streets of Sleepy hollow, men, women and children. Holding American flags of all sizes and signs the held the fallen solider's name. He and his dear friend Abbie were in a black Mercedes, they were joining the funeral and were also going to the grave site where the man who gave his life for this Great Country would finally rest.
"Lieutenant?" He asked the woman, he was still watching.
"Hm?"
"Is this normal? For soldiers to be honored in such a way?"
Abbie nodded, " Pretty much, i don't know how they did in your time but yea. This even happened to veterans who fought in other wars."
Ichabod listened, absorbing it all, "Extraordinary."
"You haven't seen it all yet."
At the grave site, six marines gathered around the flag covered coffin and gave their final respects. Ichabod stood tall and bowed his head in deep respect, he jumped when the twenty-one gun salute began but had he not been briefly educated by the Lieutenant ahead of time, the results would have been catastrophic.
And the seven taps started soon after, the sound of the trumpet sent chills down the revolutionary soldiers spine. Afterwards the the six marines folded the flag and gave it to the widow of the soldier before the coffin was lowered.
'General Washington, if you could see this now,' Ichabod thought to himself, 'Even today, despite the many conflicts this country is going through today. They still honor those who die for this Great country.'
In loving memory of S SGT. Alex Viola
1984-2013