How did you spend your lunch hour today?

So, what did you do? Head for the lunchroom and reheat leftovers from last night? Order a pizza with some friends? Hit the drive thru? Take a nap? Watch the soap?

I drove to a street corner grabbed an American flag and cried as a hearse following the honor guard carried the remains of a 21 year old infantryman home from Afghanistan. He died protecting seven of his fellow soldiers by taking the brunt of an improvised explosive device after coming off patrol.

I had no idea this morning when I got up that this is how I would spend my lunch hour. About 11:15 I got a message on facebook telling me about the motorcade. I didn't even think twice, I knew I had to be there. I finished what I was doing, got in my car and drove to one of the final streets in the route from the airport to the funeral home. I didn't see anyone anywere, did I misunderstand the message? I kept driving until I saw a row of American flags along the side of the road, this is where I decided to stop. I pulled into a parking lot and next to me there was a woman in a car waiting and another across the street sitting in a chair with a flag in her hand. I got out of the car and the woman next to me asked me if I was there to show my support, she had just gotten back into town and had been sitting there for over an hour, she forgot about the time change. I looked around and couldn't help but wonder where were all the people?

Someone's child, someone who thought more about his country and fellow soldiers than himself gave up his life so that we can safely go to a curb and wave an American flag and no one cared enough to show up and thank him! How self centered can we get?

Soon an elderly couple showed up, they said that they had just seen the procession on the news and wanted to be part of it. A young mother pulled up and asked what was going on, she had just come from a few blocks away on another street and said that the roads were lined with people. I explained to her why we were there. She said that her young son who looked to be about 3 wanted to know what was going on, she asked if they could stay, she wanted her children to see this, to be part of this. I went across the street to borrow some flags for everyone to hold and together we stood in silence as the motorcycles, police cars, hearse and limos past by.

I found it hard to breathe as they past by, before I knew it tears were streaming down my cheeks. I didn't even know this young man.

You see, my daughter was in the military and as strange as it seems once you have a child in the military, they all become your children. Every time I hear about someone leaving for the military I feel like it is my child, when I hear about one coming home, I go out to the parade route to cheer them home. I send packages and letters. I don't know most of them, but it doesn't matter. When my daughter was in the reserves, she became a mom, shortly after her son was born she decided not to re-enlist; I was so relieved but I knew deep down in my soul that God was telling me that even though my daughter would be home and safe that I couldn't forget about all the other children who were going.

Ever since that time, they have all been my kids. I hurt when they leave, I rejoice when they come home safe and I mourn when the hearse drives them back to their home town.

God did not intend for any of this to happen. He told us to love one another other, if we had only listened we would not be dealing with war, our children would not be coming home in wooden boxes, there would be no tears. Tonight, when you go to sleep in your nice warm bed in a comfortable home located in a safe neighborhood in a country that still allows you the freedom to choose your faith, job and lifestyle, take a few minutes to pray for our children that are in the military. Ask God to comfort and protect them and their families. Pray for our leaders whether you agree with their politics or not. Pray that tomorrow when you wake up that you can be someone that can help change this world for the better.