The outpouring of love and support from the people of the small town where I work to the family of a 22 year old soldier killed last week in Iraq.
Today he came home for the last time. Escorted by numerous police and fire departments and over 75 Patriot Guard Riders. People turned out in large numbers lining the route from the airport in Charlotte all the way to the funeral home in Concord. The procession came through downtown Concord stopping briefly in front of City Hall where the mayor presented keys to the city to this young man's 21 year old widow and his parents.
Everything in downtown came to a halt for this young man. Everyone from the courthouse and all the businesses downtown lined the street. Despite the large crowd it was nearly silent while we waited.
The sadness was almost overwhelming - it was like the buildings and the sidewalks under our feet were mourning.
There were the old men in their veteran's caps and jackets from WWII, Korea and Vietnam. Scattered through the crowd they came to honor a fallen brother.
The very tall older gentleman, obviously a veteran, standing silently...the look in his eyes will stay with me for the rest of my life...as the crowd dispersed our eyes met and I saw in them the pain of everything those eyes must have seen when he was a young soldier.
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