From the flurry of e-mails last week involving the death of my nephew, I received one from a cousin on the east coast.
On March 3, 2011 she wrote;
Yesterday’s Washington Post carried an article that seems particularly apt right now. I hesitate to send it to Jeff and Lori, but they may want to read it some time when their nerves aren’t quite so raw. Here’s the link:
http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2011/03/01/AR2011030106355.html
I read the article and I had pulled a paragraph to the desktop, to save and reference (see graphic below.) Later that day I did make the decision to forward it on to my brother. On Friday morning with a “party” set to celebrate Andrew that afternoon, Jeff e-mailed me;
Alan,
How about throwing together just a few hand bills to tape to the wall. Small and tasteful please.
“If you are truly sorry, then please contact your representatives, prayers just aren’t cutting it.”
Place the quote from Gen. Kelly along with URL to the Post article below that.
Again, understatement and taste are important.
jeff
I had received Marching Orders from my brother and the moral compass from Lt. Gen. John F. Kelly. Please read the article, maybe print out and tape near the water cooler, or just pass along the link.
I may have lost Andrew’s physical presence in this world, but I gained a renewed respect and admiration for the people in our military, and the assessment that we have competent people in the top echelon. Also thanks to the Patriot Guard Riders for showing up and holding an array of flags along the route into the cemetery to the point of ceremony. I was most impressed and my fears of the Westboro wacko protesters relieved.
Until Saturday March 5th, 2011, I was unaware of the Patriot Guard Riders. I just may have to join that group. I ride a bicycle, most of them ride much heavier machinery, but according to their website we share two basic objectives:
- Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.
- Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.
We don’t care what you ride or if you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a hawk or a dove. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what your income is; you don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.
We accomplish the latter [2 above] through strictly legal and non-violent means.
To those of you who are currently serving and fighting for the freedoms of others, at home and abroad, please know that we are backing you. We honor and support you with every mission we carry out, and we are praying for a safe return home for all.
Thank you all.
| Read all three of Alan Wilfahrt’s blogs about Andrew: Taps for Andrew Andrew’s wishes Andrew’s guard |
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