The Freedom Riders Came to Daniel's Funeral

Pandora

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Just before T-giving, one of my former students was killed in Iraq. His funeral was on Sunday. Daniel was a great kid whom I had the privilege of teaching for three years. While no protest occured, the Freedom Riders were there to protect the family. THANKS GUYS!!! :blowkiss:

Hundreds mourn Georgia soldier
By Pearce Adams
Independent-Mail
December 3, 2006

ROYSTON - A 10-year-old Franklin County girl waited for more than an hour on Sunday to wave an American flag at people she did not know.

Her first chance to contribute to the war on terror was by offering her support to a funeral entourage that carried the body of 20-year-old U.S. Army Pfc. Daniel Joseph Allman II. Sara Freeman said she would wave the flag "because a soldier died and because he fought for our country" as she and three other children from Canon waited on the shoulder of Ga. 51 about six miles from Royston.

About 3:30 p.m., Sara, her brother Will, 6, Kaitlyn Little, 5, and her brother Kaleb, 8, raised their flags as police cars and dozens of motorcyclists preceeded the funeral procession. A hearse carried Pfc. Allman’s body. U.S. Army Pvts. Allman and Jang Kim, also 20, of California were killed Nov. 13 in Iraq.

A spokesman for the Army’s Public Affairs Office said both men were riding in a Humvee. The spokesman was unable to say if both men were in the same vehicle.

At the time of their deaths, both soldiers were among 1,060 who have been killed by improvised explosive devices or IEDs since Icasualties.org began to track them in July 2003. According to the Pentagon, 2,898 soldiers and Marines have died in Iraq and about 22,000 wounded since combat operations began on March 19, 2003. And another 350 have died and 1,058 wounded in Afghanistan and other countries as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, the Pentagon reports.

But Sunday, the four children and many Franklin County residents were focused on the only loss attributed to their county.

Before a 2 p.m. funeral service began in Royston at the Pruitt Funeral Home, about 100 motorcyclists, dressed in black leather and carrying American flags, roared into town.

"Nobody loves freedom like a motorcycle rider," said Randy Stevens, South Carolina’s state captain for members of the Patriot Guard Riders. Its riders assemble to show respect for the "individuals who defend that freedom," he said.

In an effort to protect Pfc. Allman’s family from a protest that never materialized, the riders created a flag-draped lining on both sides of the street before creating a pathway for the family to reach the funeral home.

Also in Royston to show his respect, Georgia state Sen. John Douglas, representing District 17, said a law now prohibits protesters from being within 500 feet of a soldier’s funeral or burial from one hour before it starts until one hour after it ends.

More at link:
http://www.independentmail.com/and/home/article/0,1886,AND_8195_5188587,00.html
 
Pandora said:
Just before T-giving, one of my former students was killed in Iraq. His funeral was on Sunday. Daniel was a great kid whom I had the privilege of teaching for three years. While no protest occured, the Freedom Riders were there to protect the family. THANKS GUYS!!! :blowkiss:

Hundreds mourn Georgia soldier
By Pearce Adams
Independent-Mail
December 3, 2006

ROYSTON - A 10-year-old Franklin County girl waited for more than an hour on Sunday to wave an American flag at people she did not know.

Her first chance to contribute to the war on terror was by offering her support to a funeral entourage that carried the body of 20-year-old U.S. Army Pfc. Daniel Joseph Allman II. Sara Freeman said she would wave the flag "because a soldier died and because he fought for our country" as she and three other children from Canon waited on the shoulder of Ga. 51 about six miles from Royston.

About 3:30 p.m., Sara, her brother Will, 6, Kaitlyn Little, 5, and her brother Kaleb, 8, raised their flags as police cars and dozens of motorcyclists preceeded the funeral procession. A hearse carried Pfc. Allman’s body. U.S. Army Pvts. Allman and Jang Kim, also 20, of California were killed Nov. 13 in Iraq.

A spokesman for the Army’s Public Affairs Office said both men were riding in a Humvee. The spokesman was unable to say if both men were in the same vehicle.

At the time of their deaths, both soldiers were among 1,060 who have been killed by improvised explosive devices or IEDs since Icasualties.org began to track them in July 2003. According to the Pentagon, 2,898 soldiers and Marines have died in Iraq and about 22,000 wounded since combat operations began on March 19, 2003. And another 350 have died and 1,058 wounded in Afghanistan and other countries as part of Operation Enduring Freedom, the Pentagon reports.

But Sunday, the four children and many Franklin County residents were focused on the only loss attributed to their county.

Before a 2 p.m. funeral service began in Royston at the Pruitt Funeral Home, about 100 motorcyclists, dressed in black leather and carrying American flags, roared into town.

"Nobody loves freedom like a motorcycle rider," said Randy Stevens, South Carolina’s state captain for members of the Patriot Guard Riders. Its riders assemble to show respect for the "individuals who defend that freedom," he said.

In an effort to protect Pfc. Allman’s family from a protest that never materialized, the riders created a flag-draped lining on both sides of the street before creating a pathway for the family to reach the funeral home.

Also in Royston to show his respect, Georgia state Sen. John Douglas, representing District 17, said a law now prohibits protesters from being within 500 feet of a soldier’s funeral or burial from one hour before it starts until one hour after it ends.

More at link:
http://www.independentmail.com/and/home/article/0,1886,AND_8195_5188587,00.html
Praise the Lord for the Freedom Riders!!!! :woohoo:
 
So sad. :( I am happy his family wasn't disturbed during their time of mourning.
 
I'm not a huge fan of this war either, but there is no way I would participate in a protest at the funeral of one of our fallen soldiers. What a disgrace to those who have served or are still serving. None of my negative thoughts about the war involve the men and women over there doing their jobs.Rest in peace, Daniel. You made the ultimate sacrifice for your country.
 

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