There are so many things I want to say here, but words are just impossible to find, so please bare with me while I ramble.
We live in a small, tight-knit community stuck smack dab between a few cities, so when major things happen, it spreads. A student has cancer? The community rallies behind the child and it's family. A family is down on their luck?? They are helped out. A student has heart problems?? The school raises money for the heart association. I truly could not pick a better place to live. So, two weeks ago, when a local soldier died, our community rallied behind the family. Even if you didn't know this soldier or his family, someone you know knows them.
So, last thursday, Sgt Patron was brought home, escorted by veterans, fellow soldiers, and law enforcement. The streets were lined as a motorcade wound it's way from the airport to the funeral home. A fire truck had it's ladder up with an american flag hanging from it in the funeral home parking lot. There were law enforcement from all over the area there too. It was a very somber event.
In Perry, most business signs were changed to reflect the loss of this soldier. Flags and yellow ribbons were up all over. Flags lined the street in front of the high school and their driveway. A makeshift memorial was set up at the veteran memorial at the high school. The scene was breathtaking, yet, sad, because we know why this was being done.
Saturday morning, the motorcade took Sgt Patron to the church for the funeral. I was honored to stand there and give my support in this way. The emotions were strong enough to take you down to your knees. Just two hours later, I stood with my husband (a veteran himself) and children as Sgt Patron was escorted to his final resting place. The atmosphere was somber. As this motorcycle hearse went past me for the second time, it was like the wind was knocked out of me. This man chose to risk his life for us, all of us. We explained to our children that this man was a hero and that was why he was given such a large farewell. There was not a dry eye as this procession wound it's way through Perry Twp. We always want our servicemembers home, but, not like this.
Thank you for your service, SGT. Your sacrifice and dedication will never be forgotten!
