I Heart Faces–Got to Wear Shades

The theme for I Heart Faces this week is “Got To Wear Shades”. I know most of the pics will be summery, silly, and just plain fun. This one? Not quite. But… it has great meaning, and I hope you’ll read to the end. At the end of June, there was a message on Facebook from a dear school friend of mine; her nephew was serving in Afghanistan and had been wounded. He was being airlifted to Germany and his parents were on their way to see him. His mom and aunt both work at our school, and we all lifted up prayers that he would be healed. God chose instead to bring him home, and his body was finally brought here to Georgia. I had the honor and privilege of taking pictures at his funeral, and I have never been prouder to be an American. The photos that I took at the funeral are private and will remain so; they were my love offering to his family. But this picture was taken beforehand, as various groups readied themselves for the task ahead of them. This gentleman is part of the Patriot Guard Riders, a veterans group who escorts our fallen soldiers throughout their final journey home. You can see the reflection of other Patriot Guard Riders in his shades. What a precious gift they give to grieving families; thank you isn’t sufficient for the balm their offering of honor and dignity brings to hurting hearts and souls. Please remember to pray for our soldiers and their families, and never, ever pass up the opportunity to say “Thank you” for the sacrifices that they make on a daily basis.
For more “shades” pics, head over to I Heart Faces and click on the links. But first… please promise me that you’ll stop… right now… and say a prayer for the families of our soldiers who gave the ultimate sacrifice for each of us. God bless America…