Randy and I were honored to be a part of the funeral services for PFC Steven Dorough last weekend. Steven had joined the Army his senior year in high school and would report for duty after graduation. Meanwhile he was training with a local National Guard unit. He was proud to be in the military and wore his uniform often. He encouraged his friends to consider joining as well.

About a month ago, he had seen the PGR during a military funeral and told his dad, “if something happens to me, that’s what I want”. They had no idea it would come so quickly – he was killed over New Year’s Day weekend.

Over 60 members of the PGR, some from as far away as north Alabama, came together to honor Steven and his family.  We escorted his family from the funeral home to the church, then stood a flag line for him. His pallbearers included classmates, members of his unit and PGR members.  Seeing the large number of people who came out during frigid temperatures, it was clear that Steven was a special young man who had touched many lives.

I don’t know how to explain what it feels like to stand in a flag line to honor someone; I don’t feel it’s a duty, but it’s something I’m always glad to do.  It’s an honor to be able to show respect to someone who has given such a huge sacrifice for others, but it’s not only that either.  I’ve never known the person we’re there to honor, but I always feel as if I know them during that time. The best way I can explain it, is it’s a very small way of saying ‘thank you’ to a family who has given so much.

I don’t want anyone to feel I’m using this as a way to pat myself on the back, because nothing could be further from the truth – that’s not what the PGR is about; as we say, it’s not about us, it’s all about them (heroes).  I’d encourage anyone to join – you don’t have to ride a motorcycle, because we always need vehicles to help with the escort. You certainly don’t have to be military, or I couldn’t be a member.  All you have to do is want to show honor and respect to our country’s heroes.

I’ve been thinking so much lately about Thanksgiving and the meanings behind it.  When I was young, we learned about the first Thanksgiving – how the Pilgrims moved here, and how the Indians taught them how to farm here, and what animals and plants could be eaten. We were taught that first Thanksgiving was a day of sharing food between the Pilgrims and Indians- the Pilgrims were thankful for their new friends, for their new country, and thankful to God for bringing them through such hard times.

Why is it so hard for us to be so thankful? We as a country have so much to be thankful for.  While we are at war, we are not being attacked on our own soil (at least, not for now).

Our healthcare system isn’t perfect, it’s much better than what many countries have. Even the poorest people in our country have access to basic healthcare.

Our political system isn’t perfect either, but it works pretty well, for the most part. Folks get into leadership positions – and when they don’t do what they say they’ll do, sometimes they get sent back home.

And our economic system isn’t perfect. But I’m glad I live in a place where I can work for what I want, and no one can tell me that there are limits to what I can earn, or what I can buy, if I have the money to do it.

So, I’m thankful to be living where I am.

If you don’t have a reason to be thankful, look around you. If you’ve got a place to live, food to eat and clothes to wear, you have more than most people in the world.

Give thanks in all things!

Yesterday we had Rutledge’s first 4th of July parade. While we only had a few people to come, everyone there had a great time, and we hope to make this an annual event.

We started out with the pledge of allegiance, then everyone lined up behind Mayor Joe Dexter. Randy took his bike to the end of the parade route, and kept traffic from coming into the group, and Jennifer blocked the entrance to the other end of the street.

After we got back to the community center, we spread out blankets under a tree, and while Jennifer poured pink lemonade for everyone, I cut this beautiful cake made for us by the ladies at the Piggly Wiggly.

As I said, we hope to make this an annual event- a very small town in a neighboring county has turned their small-town parade into a large event, usually having at least 200 participants; we may not ever get that big, but I would like to eventually get other towns in the county to participate in some way, and I’d also like to see more of our citizens to come out for it too.

Next year’s route will be a lot longer, Mr. Joe’s dad has said he’d bring his 1947 tractor and wagon along to haul kids, and we’d love to get at least one fire truck in as well.  We may also change the time to later in the afternoon, and cook out hot dogs for everyone too.

Happy Independence Day!

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