Yesterday, a young man came home for the last time. He didn't come home with a big smile on his face. His family didn't get to jump for joy to see him get off the plane. He came home in a casket covered with an American flag. He was 21 years old. Taken away much too soon.
The reception given to this young man was phenomenal. It took almost 13 minutes for the entire procession to pass and the highway was lined for miles with people who came out to pay respects and to honor this young man. Not very many of the people probably knew this young man personally. Probably some went to school with him, or played sports with him, but weren't friends on a day to day basis. They came because this young man paid the ultimate price. He was fighting for our freedom, which was intruded upon when Frankie was only 11 years old.
I am so proud of Monroe County, Tennessee. So many times our county is looked upon with disdain simply because it's in the mountains and the outside world automatically assumes we're "just a bunch of hillbillies". Yesterday was proof positive that the people of Monroe County are filled with compassion, honor, and thankfulness. Highway 411 was lined with flags of all sizes. Flags flew on fence posts, some were simply stuck down in the ground, and others were arranged to write the name of a young man that the county is so proud to call their own. Flags were held by those lined up to pay their respects and to say good-bye to a young man who gave everything he had to give......including his very life.
Thank you Lance Cpl Frankie Watson.
2 comments:
Regardless of the size of any community, the men and women who die for that community, and all the communities of our country, are all hero's..it' so sad that the new military is so very young. God be with this young man's family; and all those who moarn for him. I hope you don't mind, but I am going to share your writing on FB, it is too touching not to. Zips
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