| If you are an American citizen, have you ever | | | | funeral services included a military style |
| thought about the freedom you have? I don't | | | | salute. Seven veterans probably from the eras |
| believe I always think about it. Since I was | | | | of World War II and the Korean Conflict were |
| born and raised a U.S. citizen, I have always | | | | lined up with M1 rifles near the location |
| known and perhaps taken for granted the | | | | where the coffin was to be interred. A U.S. |
| freedoms that U.S. citizens enjoy: The | | | | Flag is draped over the coffin. After the |
| freedom to say basically what you want; the | | | | priest gave the final blessing, the veterans |
| freedom to travel wherever you want to go in | | | | raised their M1 rifles and fired off a 21-gun |
| this land; the freedom to practice whatever | | | | salute. I'm not a veteran, but I have fired |
| form of religion you want...you get the idea. | | | | guns on occasion. The sound of those rifles |
| Just look at the first ten amendments of the | | | | was very loud and impressive - it really made |
| U.S. Constitution...our basic freedoms are | | | | a statement. Once the rifles fired, the song |
| outlined there, on paper. | | | | of Taps was played. During the playing of |
| | | | this mournful song, two veterans took the |
| Of course, freedom on paper doesn't mean much | | | | U.S. Flag from the coffin and slowly folded |
| without something or someone to back it up. | | | | the flag. Then, the veterans took the folded |
| | | | flag and slowly walked towards the widow. |
| Our nation has preserved its freedom thanks | | | | They handed the widow the flag and ever so |
| in large part to the millions of veterans who | | | | slowly and respectfully, they stood at |
| have served and continue to serve in the U.S. | | | | attention and gave the widow a salute. Then |
| Military. These people have sacrificed much: | | | | one veteran knelt to speak with the widow |
| time away from loved ones, jobs that are | | | | about how her husband served his country well |
| safer and pay better, and in some cases the | | | | and she should be proud as this nation is of |
| ultimate sacrifice of laying down their | | | | his service. |
| lives. | | | | |
| | | | I can't state the value of our veterans more |
| It is not for us to ask why they do this - we | | | | eloquently than what they did in that funeral |
| should take the time to be thankful for them | | | | service. Period. I'm not even going to try. |
| and what they do for us every single day. | | | | The only thing I hope you get from my meager |
| | | | words is how we should be grateful for these |
| I recently attended the funeral of a relative | | | | individuals, not just on Memorial Day or |
| who was a World War II veteran. Part of the | | | | Veterans Day but every day. |