Editor:
I attended the funeral of Major David Audo, who was killed while serving in the Iraq. The service was a wonderful celebration of his life. Our pastor, the Rev. David Anderson of First Church of the Nazarene, was the officiant, and he delivered a touching message. Also speaking were Major Audo’s son, Gov. Pat Quinn, and two Army officers.
But the things that also touched me were the many people who came to honor a fallen hero. The streets in St. Joseph were lined with American flags. The Patriot Guard were there as escorts. There were people everywhere all the way to Danville — firefighters, EMTs and citizens holding flags and the police who were there as escorts. People stopped their vehicles on the opposite side of the interstate, many standing outside with their hands over their hearts or at attention with a salute.
As we came through Danville, people lined the streets, some standing at attention, some sitting in wheelchairs and many waving American flags. The Danville fire department had a large U.S. flag hanging high above the entrance to the VA. I was overwhelmed!
I had tears in my eyes. That day, there were no Republicans or Democrats, there was no black or white, there was no male or female, it was just a lot of patriotic citizens.
That is the USA that Major David Audo served and died for.
That is the USA that so many others have served in so many ways.
That is the USA then I went to Vietnam for.
That is the USA that I am proud of.
That is the USA that I believe we would all love to have again.
I say, “God Bless the USA.”
Ken Pavlick
Williamsport, Ind.
