A Marine

Miss Mylee

Today marked a first for me. I attended the funeral procession of a Marine killed in Afghanistan. I have never experienced any thing like this and I'm not very good with words. I will try my best to express my emotions and gratitude without fumbling through. This 20 year old young man was from Gaffney and was the first soldier killed in action since the Vietnam War in that area. As you can imagine the town was devastated and everyone has rallied around each other in support. We waited this afternoon outside on the curb for an hour and a half to show our love for this family. The streets were lined with people holding flags and flags on signs and on cranes. When the procession started, silence fell over the crowd, and police cars were slowly driving by and then motorcycles driven by veterans followed. There was a brief pause before the hearse with the young man rolled past us. I can't even describe how I felt. When the car holding the family inside drove by and I could see the tear stained faces of this young man's brothers, I lost it. I remember looking around at my Mom, sister, and grandma and I knew they were feeling exactly the way I did. There was silence outside today, it was so quiet that as family, friends, fellow marines, and veterans drove by you could hear them whispering there Thank you s out the window. Such a huge sacrifice from this young Marine and his family. I don't think we often realize what these men and women are giving up for us. I had a new understanding today and felt very proud of where I come from. I will never forget today, this experience, the sacrifice, or the hushed reverence of the procession.