This photo was taken by Brett Coomer of the Houston Chronicle.
This doesn't relate directly to Olive Blossom. But it does speak to my heart and I feel compelled to blog about it. Lance Cpl. Garrett Gamble paid the ultimate sacrifice on March 11, 2010. A young boy of just 20 was serving our country in the upmost honor when he was unfortunately KIA in Afghanistan. I knew the story and knew he would be brought home and flown into our local airport. I still can't quite put into words what I saw though. As I was driving home from a play date with my kids I saw the road leading up to our local airport flanked with car after car after car. I then saw hundreds of American flags flying on such a beautiful day for such a somber occasion. I truly felt blessed to live in this wonderful country and enjoy the freedoms that we so often take for granted. Because of people like Garrett Gamble my family lives in comfort knowing that the freedoms I have every day are not compromised.
I was raised in a military family. I like to think I appreciate what serving our country means. However as I was driving down this piece of highway that I drive down every day I was extremely proud to be an American and extremely proud of the honor this community showed a fallen soldier who I know was loved dearly. My oldest son asked me what was going on and why were there so many people and so many flags flying at our local airport. I couldn't even speak for a minute. I was so choked up and not sure how to explain such a huge concept to a boy so young. And being the mother of two boys I couldn't help but think about what Garrett Gambles mother must be feeling at that moment. The one thing I can almost guarantee though is that she was so proud of her son as she should be.
Moments like this remind me that each day is precious and the freedoms I live every day come at such a great cost to those that unselfishly defend the country that I love.
Thank you again Lance Cpl. Garrett Gamble for serving my country and paying the ultimate sacrifice. May God shine his light on you forever.
In the words of author Tim O'Brien:
"If I die, in the combat zone
box me up and send me home.
Put me in my Dress Blues
don't forget to shine my shoes.
Pin my medals upon my chest
tell my dad I did my best.
Tell my mama not to cry Marine Corps motto
is Do or Die.
RIP Warrior now go have a toast Chesty. "
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