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America
Still Cares
It is Sunday, 29
October 2006. On a typical Sunday after church, one might be “ready
for some football” NFL style or play with the kids or tackle a
little work in the yard.
But this is not a
typical Sunday in the small, rural North Carolina town of Rockwell
(pop. 1,971). You see, one of its young native sons, Marine Lance
Corporal Nathan Elrod, fell in Iraq 8 days earlier while serving as
his platoon commander’s HMMWV turret gunner.
Nathan was a quiet
young boy who wanted to be known as a nice, caring individual. He
cruised through his local high school, while playing varsity soccer
and excelling in HS ROTC. But, he always dreamed of becoming a
Marine. He was not sure he had all it takes to be a Marine, but he
was determined to try. And, try he did, becoming dubbed a US Marine
in September 2004. After serving one combat tour in Iraq, he
returned to Iraq a second time with the 6th Marine
Regiment. There he “gave his all.
I did not know
Nathan or his family, having only lived near Rockwell for 17
months. I do recall seeing “Welcome Home, Nathan” signs when he
returned home from his first tour. That brought a smile of
joy/relief to my face, but that was the end of that. Then, 8 days
ago the newspaper told us that Nathan had fallen.
I felt the death
pangs of comrades long ago and felt compelled to do something to pay
my respects to Nathan. So, I donned a suit and tie for the first
time since I retired almost two years ago and headed for Nathan’s
funeral. I wanted to be sure that somebody showed up to bid this
young man “farewell” and thanks for your sacrifice on behalf of me
and millions of Americans across this land.
When I arrived at
the Baptist church that was one of Nathan’s favorite places, I was
overwhelmed! “Somebody else” had showed up to pay their respects to
Nathan. In fact, hundreds of people showed up; the church’s “life
center” seated about 500 and every seat was taken; another 100 stood
along the walls. And, outside was another 150 folks.
Many of those
folks outside were motor-cycle clubbers; I saw many “Rolling
Thunder” logos and “Patriot Guard Rider” armbands amongst those men
and women. Nearly all were combat veterans like me; mostly the
Vietnam war, but one also saw a few “Gulf War” vets in their midst.
They formed a cordon of “soldiers” each holding a large American
flag, about 75 flags in all, for the slow vehicular arrival of
Nathan and his family. When the services were over, they formed
another flag cordon for Nathan’s slow movement to his final resting
place next to his beloved church.
The US Marines
sent several of Nathan’s platoon mates from Iraq to share their
remembrances with the congregation. A seven man Marine honor guard
escorted Nathan; another seven Marines served as a salute firing
detail.
Thus, Nathan got
the respect of a real American hero. You see, though I thought few
would attend, I found that America still cares. My little part was
just that, but I am glad I went as one among many to say “thanks, be
thou at peace.”
Ty Cobb, Jr.
(combat infantry Vietnam vet)
Postscript:
Readers, take time to be an American who still cares. Take time to
attend services for fallen heroes in your area and say “thanks” to
those among us who serve in the military in the fight against
terrorism. |
