Resica

Sergeant John Beale, RIP
Posted: 19 Jul 2009 09:22 AM PDT
Reader John Throckmorton served in Iraq in 2006-2007. He sends us this video and comments: "This is a moving video of a community's response to the death of a U.S. Army sergeant in Afghanistan. The tape runs 12 minutes and is a must see." He adds:
Killed in action the week before, John C. Beale was returned to Falcon Field in Peachtree City, Georgia, just south of Atlanta, on June 11, 2009. The Henry County Police Department escorted the procession to the funeral home in McDonough, Georgia. A simple notice in local papers indicated the road route to be taken and the approximate time. This was filmed during the procession by a State Trooper.
I was tempted to offer additional commentary, but I think the video stands by itself. I don't know the views of John Beale, or his neighbors who turned out to support him, so I can't purport to speak for them by attempting to connect this video to a larger statement on the current state of American politics or culture -- I'll save it for another time. I am, however, immeasurably proud of them.
UPDATE: In the comments, reader Patricia Graham directs us to this biography of Sergeant Beale.

from Power Line Daily Digest, July 19, 2009

Sgt. Beale's Hometown, Salutes Him, take time to watch the video.