Why?

[Janet]

Originally Posted by DianaB

I was wrong about when the funeral is. It's this morning and our city officials have asked the community to come out and show our support so I'm getting ready to go to town. I'll try to take some pictures and tell you about it when I get back. Pray that everything stays peaceful.

I hope it all stays peaceful Diana...you be careful.

[AngieDoogles]

Originally Posted by Janet

I hope it all stays peaceful Diana...you be careful.

Yes Diana, please be careful!

[pope1982]

I can't even put it into words... I think it's all been said.

[Tink]

Diana, I think it's wonderful tht the community is going to go and support that family. If I were closer I'd go with you. It just seems SO the right thing to do.

[DianaB]

Well, I didn't see any of the protesters at all. I heard that they were lead to a street out of town and boxed in so they wouldn't disrupt the funeral. I don't know if it's true or not but I'll know more when my son-in-law gets home from work. There weren't as many people as I thought that there would be lining the streets but we are a small town (only 2,500). There were little groups of people clustered around the houses though. I heard that a flower shop had red, white, and blue balloons that they had passed out to a club and they were all standing on the street with them. There were LOTS of motorcycles. The Freedom Riders were there and another group, I don't know what their name was. It was a really good time to show our patriotism and I'm glad that I went.

Since this hate group does this for attention our local newpaper said that it wouldn't take any pictures of the group, that there would be no publicity for them. I'm proud of our paper for doing that. Since we are a very small town this was a really big news story so kudos to the paper. Here's some pictures that I took. Sorry but there's no protesters.

[DianaB]

Some more pictures. I'm in the first picture with my husband's aunt and uncle on the right side. The next picture my husband is on the left side with his uncle.

[DianaB]

And a few more........In the next to the last picture where it's looking down the street right at the very back, I know that it's very small, are our high school students and across the street are our middle school kids!

[Tink]

Diana, I'm so proud of your little town for standing up for what you KNOW is right. I would think the community support meant the world to the family. I know it would to me! Whether we agree with the war or not, we owe it to our military to support them as individuals and their families in times of loss. I just feel SO strongly on this.

Kudos to the local paper for not rushing to get a story from the protesters. Maybe if more places banded together like yours did they would quit harassing people at least in this way.

[Dobie]

I know when our town participated, it really made me feel like we were doing our best to support the family - I'm sure you feel the same. I also think it's a good way to teach children about respect and about what true heros are.

[Chandra Amaya]

It is wonderful when people stand up for what they believe. It is even better when many do it together. You should be very proud of yourself, your family and your town. Great job!