Triumph

Reminiscent of the great Roman Triumphs, the return of the glorious victors of prominent wars and battles.  With the populace lining the streets rejoicing and reveling in the heroic return of battle hardened triumphant soldiers, banners and laurel wreaths flew, and flowers were thrown, honoring the victors.  

Today was not so joyous, the return was not a happy one, it was subdued, for the loss of one of the communities own was sorely felt by many.   But the honors for this brave soldiers return, and his funerary procession was no less great than a Roman Triumph in its own right.  I saw today people of many walks of life, standing in the heat waiting.  Waiting for the moment his body, encapsulated in his final resting bed and draped with the colors of the nation he proudly served and gave his life for, to pass by.  Just so that they may honor him and his bravery, with something as simple as a flag flown proudly and snapping in the breeze, a symbol of our nation and the freedom that we have, and he fought and died for.  The care for fellow man to take time out of their busy lives to line the streets in this simple mans honor.  Regardless of the circumstances, or who and what he was, he was still willing to lay down his life for us and did.  Small things such as these give me a boost in my faith in humanity, that people can feel and understand such an acute loss of a man most of them had probably never met.  God bless the people of this nation, and God bless Sgt. Anthony R. Maddox.  He may not have died in combat but he did die serving us, and dedicated his life to preserving our freedom, thank you sir.