What follows is a message from Vicki Pierce about her nephew James'
funeral (he was serving our country in Iraq):
"I'm back, it was certainly a quick trip, but I have to also say it was
one of the most amazing experiences of my life. There is a lot to be
said for growing up in a small town in Tennnessee The service itself
was impressive with wonderful flowers and sprays, a portrait of James,
his uniform and boots, his awards and ribbons. There was lots of
military brass and an eloquent (though inappropriately longwinded)
Baptist �preacher. There were easily 1000 people at the service,
filling the church sanctuary as well as the fellowship hall and
spilling out into the parking lot.
However, the most incredible thing was what happened ”\ÃwØ_¨
following the service on the way to the cemetery. We went to our cars
and drove to the cemetery escorted by at least 10 police cars with
lights flashing and some other emergency vehicles, with Tennessee
police handling traffic. Everyone on the road who was not in the
procession, pulled over, got out of their cars, and stood silently and
respectfully, some put their hands over their hearts.
When we turned off the highway suddenly there were teenage boys along
both sides of the street about every 20 feet or so, all holding large
American flags on long flag poles, and again with their hands on their
hearts. We thought at first it was the Boy Scouts or 4H club or
something, but it continued .. for two and a half miles. Hundreds of
young people, standing silently on the side of the road with flags. At
one point we passed an elementary school, and all the children were
outside, shoulder to shoulder holding flags kindergartners,
handicapped, teachers, staff, everyone. Some held signs of love and
support. Then came teenage girls and younger boys, all holding flags.
Then adults. Then families. All standing silently on the side of the
road. No one spoke, not even the very young children.
The military presence, at least two generals, a fist full of colonels,
and representatives from every branch of the service, plus the color
guard who attended James, and some who served with him .. was very
impressive and respectful, but the love and pride from this community
who had lost one of their own was the most amazing thing I've ever been
privileged to witness.
I've attached some pictures, some are blurry (we were moving), but you
can get a small idea of what this was like.
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