Real Patriotism - Not the Plastic Selfish Kind

Awhile back, Hilly Clinton asserted that dissent is automatically patriotic. She asserted that if you have the right to question your leaders, that questioning your leaders is patriotic. I don't remember her feeling that way about Ken Starr. It was cheap partisan rhetoric, but that may be as much as she's capable of.

On the other hand, there is real patriotism. Middle America patriotism.

I submit an e-mail from a longtime collegue - Joe P

-----Original Message-----
From: Pxxxxxxxx Joe R Contractor 7xxxxx/xxx
Sent: Monday, August 28, 2006 9:51 AM
To: 7xxxxx/xxx (Distribution List); 7xxxxx/xxx Students (DistributionList);
Subject: Servais' Funeral


Thought you would want to know:

About 40 folks from Hurlburt, including Major General W (XXXXX Vice Commander, Col B (Wing Commander), Col S, Col R, Col S, and Col W, plus team mates and friends of Adam flew via a 3 week old C-130 (Brand New) to Wisconsin early Saturday morning.

We arrived early and drove by bus to the church. Onalaska is a small town, something you would see in a Norman Rockwell painting. I noticed immediately that Adam Servais' name was a lot of advertisement boards, scrolling electrical signs and anything else that would be used for the public to see. We then began looking at other aspects of the small town, every American flag we seen was at half staff. We later found out that the Governor of the state mandated that the entire state will fly ol' glory at half staff in honor of Adam on that day.

Arriving at the church at 9am, we had plenty of time to pay our respects to Adam, looking at pictures of his boy hood, high school, family and military chapters. His closed casket was draped with the American flag, surrounded by beautiful flowers from all over the town and nation, to including from AST. (To who ever did the effort to make sure we sent flowers, thank you) Next to Adam was his parents, giving hugs and greetings to the team that traveled from Florida for the service. They
were very grateful and asked to pass on their thank yous to all the Special Tactics members who could not attend.

We all sat together for the service, up front, taking up about six pews. The Priest started the mass of by looking at us and announcing to the congregation: "We have heroes in the Lord's House!" With that the congregation stood up and gave us a standing ovation. Not a muscle moved from us, but the tears could not be stopped. A very touching mass was given ,with eulogies from Matt M, and Chris T, a very emotional, fitting tribute to Adam.

We left the church and started walking the .25 mile to the cemetery. Nothing could of prepared us for what we seen when we turned the corner and started walking down Main Street. Lining both sides of Main Street, for the length of the entire walk, were citizens holding large American flags. Standing silently, saluting or hands on hearts. The local paper stated that there were a 1000 people there for Adam, I think they only counted the flags. We seen old vets with their VA hats on, saluting
while holding a cane with tears rolling down their cheeks. We seen little kids looking straight ahead, saluting like they had practiced it all week long. Not one word was spoken. It was the longest walk I ever experienced.

During the grave side service, the Scott AFB Honor Guard did a great job with the 21 gun salute, flag folding and the last taps. Imagine the "1000" people with those 5 X 8 American Flags surrounding us during the ceremony, like a blanket, it was very comforting. Adam's parents were presented his Bronze Star with valor and the Purple Heart by Lt Col R, His STS Commander.

I found out later that the Patriot Guard, a group that ensures no demonstrators interfere with the funeral, was responsible for the huge American Flags. No demonstrator, if there was one among us, made any effort to interfere.

After we said good bye to Adam, we had some time to mingle with Adam's community and his family. We then took the bus back to the airfield to climb aboard our brand new C-130. The plane would not start. For four hours the crew tried everything to kick the bird over, to include some type of dance that I've never seen before. We ended up staying the night at Volk Field, about an hour from the town. If you have a two star General and the Wing Commander with you, that bird had to be broke hard to keep them in Wisconsin over night. I think it was Adam just wanting to keep his team around a little while longer. We had another C-130 pick us up the next day, the Wing Commander told the crew to keep the engines running.

Bottom-line: The town of Onalaska gave Adam a fitting tribute, a Hero's welcome home. Thanks for reading my weekend experience. It was something I'll remember the rest of my life.

Regards,
Joe P