February 03, 2005
Surival and Success of Liberty
Pulling out of the parking lot and onto the street today, my dad closely following the car in front of him with their flashers on too, I heard my mom choke up and say, “Aww…they’re holding a flag for him.” As we turned onto the street I could see the lines of people standing on the sidewalk. They were holding signs and flags, while others saluted. They were holding their children tightly as they fought back tears. One family after another stood watching us, as we drove down the road falling into our formation.
What compels total strangers to show respect, to show love and to show admiration like that? What causes people to cry at times like this? The same thing that was making my mom, my dad, my wife and me tear up. It is the love for this great country and the great admiration for those that fight to defend our freedoms.
The police escorted the entire funeral processional of about 60 cars from Dundalk to Parkville. Traffic was stopped at every light and even 695 was blocked off to help us make our way to the cemetery. This wasn’t just another funeral. It was the remembrance of a United States Marine, a man who died defending our country and liberating another.
U.S. Marine Lance Cpl. Michael L. Starr Jr. wrote in an email to his mother before he died saying, “I'm a huge part of American history now.” He understood his sacrifice and he understood what a difference he was making in the victory for freedom.
This echoes the story President Bush related in his State of the Union address. A mother clutches her son before he goes off to Iraq and says, “I just want to hold you and protect you like I did when you were a little boy.” The man before her says, “I know mom, but you have to let me go to protect you now.” The brave men and women in our armed services know what they are fighting for and know who they are fighting for. This is something that is easily forgotten, but must be remembered and must be respected.
