Showing Our Support

I am not sure how many people actually heard about this, but a few weeks ago Marine Thomas Rivers was killed in Afghanistan. He was from Hoover and a graduate from Briarwood Christian. He was only 22, and I know that his family feels nothing but pride over their son and the duty he preformed for our country. To make a sad situation sadder, his funeral was expected to be protested by people who are against the war. Now I don't really care if you are for or against the war, but no descent person stands in a cemetery holding a hateful sign in front of grieving family and friends. In an effort to show the Rivers family support and gratitude for their son's life many people lined the road Friday outside of the church where his funeral was held, as well as the path of the funeral precession from Acton Road all the way to the American Village.

God weighed it heavily on mine and Shaun's hearts to go Friday and stand on the side of Acton road outside of Briarwood to offer what little support we could to the family. It was overwhelming to see all the people who were standing out there with American flags in the hot sun to show there gratitude and support for the Rivers family. Even the Hoover and Vestavia fire departments had trucks parked in front of the entrance to the church with a GIANT flag hanging from their extended ladders. The firefighters where in the dress uniforms, which are VERY hot, and they never sat down once. Shaun, Lillian and I were out their for 2 hours before the funeral precession left the church. They were lead by a police escort as well as the Patriot Guard Riders.

How grateful I am for the men and women who are willing to sacrifice their lives, their time, their families, etc for me and my family.