I spent the first 18 years of my life living on military bases around the world. I know something about the reaction of a community when a member of the Armed Services is killed in battle.
Most of us talk a good game when it comes to supporting wounded or fallen service members and their families. When the cameras are on, the campaign is in high gear. We sing their praises, demand their treatment be second to none. But, too often we tend to forget them when they're killed or wounded - except Terrell.
With a population of about 16,000, it's still a small town. They've got more volunteer firefighters there than paid. Terrell has lost five sons in Afghanistan and Iraq.
Army Spc. Joseph Lewis was killed last month, Sgt. Shawn McNabb the month before.
A fallen son of Terrell has returned to a huge flag-lined procession through the streets of downtown five times since 2004, when Sgt Gerardo Moreno came home. It's a welcome that starts at the airport in Greenville.
And every time, the people in this city have stopped what they're doing, stepped quietly to the roadside and paid their respects to the passing veterans - men like Sgt. Sean Brady Berry, Spc. J.D. Emard - and their families.
It's a silent promise: we are here for you.
It may be a small town, but you don't have to be big to lead by example.
Terrell shows the rest of us how we should support those who grieve among us in the moments when they need us most.
Those are my thoughts, tell me yours.
E-mail jmccaa@wfaa.com
