Pride in the people of America

[Doug]

Yesterday the body of my neighbors son finally came home to rest in St. Louis Mo. Before his plane landed at Lambert Airport they rolled out the entire fire dept. to the line the runway. Random airport personell and folks within the terminal were noted to at least to pause and respect his arrival. As the family and body passed the local National Guard facility on the way outside the area the fence was lined with saluting people and many others running there to show respect. When it came time to enter the highway the Missouri State Police blocked the highway for access and then an escort all the way to Illinois. Every police dept. and a few fire depts. took part along the route as one durisdiction passed to the next. Not once did the the slightest delay occur thru 20+ miles of metro St. Louis! When the family crossed the bridge over the Mississippi into Alton, Illinois the Illinois State Police, local police and fire depts. continued with roadside displays of respect. The family and friends of Marine CPL. Chris Belchick have shed many tears since the notification of his passing on Sun. the 22nd. but those they shed yesterday were in sincere thanks for the kindness this nation and people of St. Louis expressed. On behalf of his family and myself thanks to all of you as well.