The men & women who voluntarily join the armed forces are great people. Whether they join during times of peace or war, they make great sacrifices.
This past week has put sacrifice into perspective for me. I got a call from Sam's teacher letting me know that our director, Sharon Collins' son & only child was killed in Iraq on April 7th while serving in the army. 1st. Lt. Robert Collins, age 24, had only been in Iraq for a few short months. From everything I've read about him, as I never met him, he was the all-American kid. Robert grew up in a small town, participated in sports, was active in his church, was kind to all. He graduated from West Point, was engaged to his high school sweetheart and he honored his parents.
Abby & I joined Clearwater Acadmey's students and attended the procession where a motorcade led his flag draped casket through the streets of Tyrone, Georgia, where he grew up. The streets were lined with men, women & children holding signs and flags, waiting to catch a glimpse of a hero.
We waited for well over an hour with anticipation. People were chatting, kids were playing ball, cars were driving past but as soon as we saw the low-flying helicopters and the flashing blue lights of the police escort, a hush fell over the crowd and everyone stood quietly as they waved flags and held signs honoring this young man who had made the ultimate sacrifice. Such a tearful, sad & patriotic moment in my life. This was not how I wanted to spend a spring day. I kept thinking this whole thing is just a dream and that it's not real. Although I didn't know Robert, I knew the kind of person he was and I know that he has two loving parents who taught him well.
Being a mom, I just can't comprehend how it would be to lose a child. After Sam was born, I had to grieve for the child who I didn't have due to his disability but I didn't have to bury him. My heart breaks for the Collins family. I read about other soldiers who have lost their lives but I am so removed from them. I know several people who served in Afghanistan and Iraq but they came home. This is the first time that I know someone close who lost a family member in the war. What do you say or what do you do for them?
I drove to Newnan to attend the graveside ceremony for Robert. The funeral started at 10am so I left at 10:30am to make sure I didn't miss anything. I got to the cemetery at 11:45 and there were already people lining the streets and standing at the entrance of the cemetery carrying flags, wearing red, white & blue and waiting to pay their respects to a person they had never met. I spoke with one lady and asked if she knew the family and she said, "No, I've read about him and I wanted to be here to support them."
I walked back to the grave site and there were 4 older veterans, wearing their hats and chatting. There was a woman and her husband who was clearly a "Harley" guy...long hair, leather jacket, etc. They were sitting on the tailgate of their truck that was loaded with flags. I took a seat on a bench and had nearly 2 hours with nothing but my thoughts. I am grateful for that time to ponder things. I also had the opportunity to see the Honor Guard come and practice and prepare for the ceremony. They practiced standing in line, lifting their rifles & aiming them to the sky. I watched as the 7 soldiers who were responsible for taking the casket out of the hearse, practice how to do it. What on honor to be there. I managed to get some photos of all of this, including a photo of the soldier who would be playing Taps on his trumpet. I bet when he first started taking band in middle or high school, he never thought that this is what he'd be doing.
I saw a man dressed in a dark suit come and wait. I thought he may have been a funeral home employee but I didn't figure it out until later. I saw a black SUV arrived with some military "brass". There were several generals and other high-ranking officers. As these people made the rounds, it turns out the gentleman in the black suit lost his son 5 years ago in the war. As I sat and eavesdropped on their converstation, I could feel the love in that circle...a still-grieving father surrounded by men & women in uniform who patted him on the shoulder and offered their sympathy and thanks to his son. The man in the black suit was there to be a support because he knows what the Collins family is feeling and he knows what the rest of their life is going to be like.
I noticed when word came that the motorcade was on Rosco Road, the "Harley" guy and his wife started taking out all the flags and started to unravel them. I wasn't sure what the two of them had planned for all those flags. Then it started...I could hear the loud motorcycles coming down the street and my heart began to get heavy. The Honor Guard were standing at attention as were the high-ranking officers. There were two police cars who lead the procession, followed by the old-time hearse that was carrying the flag-draped casket. The limousines that were carrying the family members were next and as the procession stopped and parked but the motorcycles kept coming and coming. There had to be at least 100 and all of them were veterans. Once they parked, this motorcycle "gang" walked up to the truck where all the flags were, each took a flag and they started surrounding the grave-site. It was something to behold. All these tough men & women, clad in leather & bandannas circled the family with honor and love.
The Honor Guard then brought the casket and placed it carefully under the tent, straightened the flag and then it was quiet when the family was escorted to the chairs. The Army chaplain asked that everyone come as close as they could and I got to stand next to the man in the dark suit. The chaplain said several prayers and spoke about how there were so many "common & uncommon" American's who were there...along the procession route, riding motorcycles, waving flags, etc. So much support and love from strangers for the Collins family & Robert's fiance.
He concluded and then the Honor Guard began... two soldiers removed the flag from the casket and folded it so very carefully. Another soldier came to inspect it and she put, what I think were 3 pens, inside of the flag and the General gave it to his mom. So moving. I can't even begin to expresses how hard it was to hear Taps for the first time in a real situation. I have heard it on TV or in a movie but to be there and experience it was something so different, so moving and so sad to watch his mom cry. Everyone was crying. Then it was time for the 21-gun salute...I watched Robert's fiance jump every time the guns went off. Oh, it was heart wrenching to experience. My heart aches for them.
Sacrifice has a whole new meaning for me after today. Very few of us are asked to offer the ultimate sacrifice, like Robert & many others have. They sacrificed their lives trying to help people. What are we willing to sacrifice? What can we do every day that will help another person's life be a little bit better?
This past week's experiences will be ones that I will never, ever forget. I honor those who have sacrificed so much for me.
