All Gave Some, Some Gave All

They say that the eye is the window to the soul. After today I agree with whoever ‘they’ are. One look into their eyes today and you could see a soul laid bare. The soldier’s eyes showed a knowing. Knowing the risks of their job, knowing the sacrifice, knowing why, and knowing it could have been them just as easily. The eyes of the retirees showed memories long buried being brought once again to the forefront of their minds; friends lost, battles fought, years long past. The eyes of the soldier’s wives and mothers showed a deep fear. Fear that their personal soldier would be next. Fear they would be the one receiving the next flag and attempting to pick up the broken pieces. The eyes of the Patriot Guard revealed deep respect and honor and a willingness to fight for the honor of those who had given their all. Not all eyes revealed things so pleasant though. There were eyes there that revealed nothing but a piercing hate; hate for America, hate for its soldiers, and hate for its people.
All of these souls lined the streets of Topeka, Kansas today for common reason though; the death of SGT Jamie Jarboe. He was shot by a sniper nearly a year ago in Afghanistan that hit him in the spine.  He fought through over 100 surgeries, before his injury claimed his life on March 21st. The streets surrounding his funeral and memorial where lined with flags, with people from every different background holding them, taking their Saturday morning to honor the fallen hero. As they drove by in their cars, many people slowed down, saluted, nodded, honked, or gave the thumbs up as they passed. Others took the opportunity to spew profanities and insults to those holding the flags. Protestors also lined the streets. For whatever reason though, they left after a short time; leaving those to honor the hero. As the funeral procession passed carrying the body of the fallen hero, eyes teared up, soldiers snapped to attention and saluted, and the whole street stood a little straighter and fell into silence.  The cars were filled with soldiers in uniform and their families, all trying to keep their composure; all struggling with even that. After the end of the procession,  people holding our flag united together in support of this soldier. It brought them together in a common bond of brother hood. Complete strangers embraced to share in the grief of losing one of America’s boys.
To my left was a group of young soldiers holding their flags in proper form. One of them reflected out loud to no one in particular.  "Man, people showing up and holding flags for a soldier they don't, that's what's up. If they did that for my funeral....yeah. We all gave up a part of ourselves signing up, and to know that people know and care and remember our sacrifice...."  And today, a soldier was remembered and honored for the sacrifice he made.
Let us never forget the ones who have died, or the ones who daily volunteer to. Let us never forget the sacrifices they make. Let us never forget or take for granted the freedom they fight for. Let us keep America worth fighting for while they’re away.  Let us never waver in standing firmly behind them as they stand boldly in front of us.

          All Gave Some, Some Gave All