Honoring a Hero

Senses can become dulled when they are not used. And my “patriotic sense” had been lulled into that dull sense of security because I feel safe. And because of that sense of security I did not necessarily always think about the men and women serving our country. However, that changed this past week. On Thursday, a Hero arrived home to this small town. He was met with crowds of everyday Americans, some who knew him and many who did not; crying, waving flags and saluting as the motorcade drove through the town from the airport. It was a homecoming yes, but not in the sense of joy. Our brave hero came home not to live life, but to rest in peace. Twenty-four year old 1^st Lt. Robert Collins was killed in action on April 7 while on duty in Iraq, not even six months after his arrival. 

This past Saturday, the last large gathering of his short life occurred. His funeral. On the front row were his mother, father and fiancé. Seeing his flag covered casket in front of the stage of a large church in town, grieved me. But even more so, were the faces of the three figures on that front row. He was an only child. His parents will now grow old with no wedding to plan, or grandchildren to embrace.  They are now parents who have had to bury their only child. And my heart weeps for them. His fiancé will never know the joy of picking out china patterns, a wedding dress and dreaming of babies and a future together with him.

I sat in the pew listening to the words of comfort from ministers and friends, watching the still pictures of his life fly by on the video screen, tears streaming down my face. I looked around me and saw the hundreds of other people, some like me who did not know the young man at all, but wanted to come and show support for the family. The additional hundred motorcycle riders patiently waiting out in the hot sun for two hours, holding flags as the motorcade arrived and saluting as it left. The untold numbers of military men and women, in full dress uniform, scattered throughout the congregation showing their support of a fellow comrade in arms.  Perhaps the most touching moment of all was at the end when someone from the military spoke of his exemplary service in his short career in overseas. She then kneeled and presented his parents with the Purple Heart and his fiancé with the Bronze Star.  A soft “attenTION” was heard when the casket was carried to the vehicle that would carry him to his final resting place. And, although I did not attend the graveside ceremony, I can imagine taps being played, a twenty-one-gun salute heard, and a beautiful presentation of the American flag to his family.

The honor, dignity and gratefulness shown to our hero’s, and specifically 1^st Lt. Robert Collins has awakened my senses. Thank you men and women, both those who are serving presently and in the past and those who have died while serving. Thank you thank you thank you, from the bottom of my heart. You willingly give of yourself to protect people who don’t even know you, may not like you and some that unfortunately hate you. But you don’t care. You defend a piece of parchment that was written and signed over two hundred and thirty years ago when a group of men said “enough”. You serve for a higher purpose. A purpose of Freedom, knowing that ALL men were created equal and deserve the right for Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness. I will not forget nor let your service be in vain…