I saw America

I saw America last month. I rode with the Patriot Guard Riders to the Waco Airport to meet a chartered aircraft that brought back the remains of L/Cpl Shawn Hefner from Afghanistan where he was killed while in action, back to his home and parents in Hico, Texas. I have ridden with the Patriot Guard before, but this was different for me. He was, and still is a Marine for all of eternity, and I was a Marine in Vietnam... in a different war... but we are brothers. He died in the same locale where my son is now, today. We gathered on the tarmac, maybe a hundred of us... and stood silent and respectful as his family gathered to accept his arrival. We stood at attention as the cargo door opened and there stood a Marine on the plane at attention that had escorted the body of L/Cpl Hefner back to his home. We watched as the Marine Honor Guard took custody of our brother and carried him to the awaiting vehicle which carried him home to Hico.

The Patriot Guard rode in front of the family and their son the 60 miles to Hico. All along the way we encountered cars and trucks that had pulled to the side of Hwy 6 and actually exited their vehicles in order to pay respect to this fallen Marine. There were old people and young people... there were children and people on horses... people standing on roof tops of houses and business's as we traveled thru their towns. The old veterans saluted and the others had their hands placed over their hearts. I was very much taken by surprise, as it was still in my mind that America didn't care. When I went to war, because my country told me to... no one cared.

I saw America at it's finest on that day and I was so proud and thankful that our God had not deserted us... in spite of our gov't. I was proud of our citizens. I was proud of my Marine Corps for upholding our honor and fidelity. I had tears in my eyes as I rode.

I am only writing this because I love my country as much as all of you do. But I am for the first time in my life, afraid of my government. I became a grandfather last week and I'm afraid for her. Just like each and everyone of you, I see "government" taking away our freedoms and restricting the citizens more and more. I've served my country in the Marine Corps and went where they told me to go... and then as a Police Officer in Dallas, sending many felons to prison.......... and now I can only exhort others to pick up the banner and march against the politicians who will give us over to communism and socialism... the arrogant politicians who believe they answer to no one.

I pray for each and every one of you who reach out to take the flag and who pass along the word to someone else that we need to retake control of our future in America. I saw it happen last month.... and it was beautiful!!!

God bless us all and Merry Christmas to all those here................ ron