And again

How many people here have been to a military funeral?

The military is big on pomp and ceremony. Some of it seems outdated, and some of it is deadly serious. But a military funeral is one of the most solemn occasions you will ever experience in your life. The rendering of final honors to a fallen soldier will shake the soul of anyone with a fragment of a heart left.

I'm on one of three teams from Puerto Rico who carry out the ceremonies. I rotate from being a pallbearer to a member of the rifle squad, depending on where they need me at the time. But one other ceremony that people in Puerto Rico perform that I haven't seen done anywhere else is receiving the body when it comes into the country, at the airport.

It's a simple ceremony in the grand scheme of things. The pall bearers receive the body from the airplane and escort it (i.e. carry the casket) to the waiting hearse. Sometimes there's no one around but other military personel. Sometimes the family is there.

That's what I'll be doing tonight.

I know I'm far from being the only person who has been part of a funeral ceremony. But seeing as this is a fellow soldier, and there but for the grace of God go I, every time I participate it reaffirms my belief in what we're doing.

Running from Iraq would dishonor the deaths of the people who are coming home one last time. Withdrawl would render their sacrifice null and void, pointless. This is what the Democrats want.

I believe it's my duty to ensure that the Dhimmocrats don't get what they want. Not just for myself, or for my readers, but for the men and women I escort back to their families.

Day is done, gone the sun,
From the lake, from the hills, from the sky;
All is well, safely rest, God is nigh.

Fading light, dims the sight,
And a star gems the sky, gleaming bright.
From afar, drawing nigh, falls the night.

Thanks and praise, for our days,
'Neath the sun, 'neath the stars, neath the sky;
As we go, this we know, God is nigh.

Sun has set, shadows come,
Time has fled, Scouts must go to their beds
Always true to the promise that they made.

While the light fades from sight,
And the stars gleaming rays softly send,
To thy hands we our souls, Lord, commend.



And yes, the photos I've posted are from ceremonies that I've participated in myself. No, I'm not going to point out which one I am. Those of you who have seen me before will recognize me.