UPDATE II (Oct 30) — On Friday, on my way home from the PGR funeral mission for SSG Chris Staats of Fredericksburg, I stopped by the Miller Creek Cemetery where Spc. Farris is buried.
I promised his mother that anytime I was passing, I would always stop and visit her son.
His grave site still looks fresh, with no grass yet growing on the fresh mound of dirt, but at least he does now have a marker (the military-provided service marker).
The still-fresh grave site of Spc. Farris
The military marker for Spc. Farris' grave
Spc. Joshua Farris, 22, KIA in Afghanistan
UPDATE: The News 8 Austin report by Bonnie Gonzalez (the only station that cared enough to even bother to send a reporter to the funeral of a fallen local Soldier) is online here.
I’m quoted in the article, and also appear in the video (cannot be embedded, but you can watch it from the article). Retire05, I see you in the video, too.
__________
Spc. Joshua R. Farris, 22, of La Grange, Texas, died July 9 in Wardak Province, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. He was assigned to 2nd Battalion, 87th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 10th Mountain Division (Light Infantry), Fort Drum, N.Y.
I had the honor of riding with the Patriot Guard Riders today to honor his sacrifice to our nation.
It was a long, hot, and emotional day today, filled with so many amazing moments and memories. I’ll try to do them justice here.
Smithville Funeral
I joined about 50 other PGR riders in Smithville, Texas (about 45 miles East of Austin) to stand a flag line for the funeral services of Spc. Farris.
The small All Faith of the Pines Funeral Home was packed shoulder-to-shoulder with the friends and family of Spc. Farris. My understanding is that, while he was born in La Grange he grew up in Smithville.
Outside, just before the casket was moved from the funeral home to the hearse, I had the pleasure of meeting frequent commenter and Urbangrounds reader, Retire05 (obviously not her real name), who is from Smithville.
She told me how embarrassed she was of her city. I asked why, and she simply said, “Look around.”
And she was right. Other than the people who were at the funeral, it didn’t appear that the city leaders or residents had done anything to pay their respects — did nothing to stop and take notice of the passing of a local Soldier hero.
Now, this might not seem unusual where you live, but let me tell you something…in small town Texas its exceptionally unusual.
Retire05 reminded me that Smithville is a Democrat strong-hold and exceptionally blue city. As the funeral procession pulled out onto Hwy 95S/Loop 230, there were only a handful of locals on the side of the road holding flags.
I don’t blame the residents too much, as the reason that they didn’t turn out to honor their fallen son is that they probably didn’t know anything about his funeral services today. Which falls squarely on the city leaders: the mayor, city council members, and local church leaders. They should have organized and promoted something.
But it was obvious that they didn’t. They simply let the funeral of a local hero go unnoticed. And they should be ashamed.
Road to Johnson City
The funeral procession traveled 80 miles from Smithville to just east of Johnson City. Once we got headed west on HWY 71, I was once again reminded of the great patriotism and respect of small-town Texans.
Our large procession of flag-flying bikes, white limos, and Law Enforcement Officers let all along the way know that somebody important was passing by.
And nearly every car we passed pulled to the side of the road and stopped. Many of the drivers were out of their cars with hands over their hearts or saluting.
Hats off to the LEOs for our safe escort through Austin — it’s always remarkable to look ahead and see an entire 3 lane freeway completely shut down for our procession.
Dripping Springs
As ashamed as the city of Smithville should be, Dripping Springs, Texas (just west of Austin on HWY 290) should be bursting with pride.
Just before we got into Dripping Springs, I started to see small pockets of people — families mostly — lined up on the side of the road. All flying flags. I began to wonder if someone in the area had gotten word out that the funeral of a Fallen Hero was coming through their town.
But the moment we pulled into town, it was obvious that someone had done exactly that: the streets where lined on both side, all the way through town with hundreds and hundreds of thankful citizens, almost every single one of them flying a US flag or holding signs thanking Spc. Farris and his family for their sacrifice.
Spc. Farris was not from Dripping Springs. He wasn’t being buried there, either. But they found out, via the Dripping Springs Babble, that the procession was coming through their town:
The funeral procession is from Smithville to Johnson City. His family has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to help honor his service and ultimate sacrifice for our nation. Exact time the procession will pass through Dripping Springs cannot be exact, but the Patriot Guard estimates any time between Noon and 1:00PM. Dripping Springs turned out, lining the sides of 290, when Lady Bird’s procession came through, let’s show Spc. Farris and his family how much we appreciate what they gave.
And that’s exactly what they did. I don’t know that I’ve ever been more proud to be a Texan than I was riding through Dripping Springs today. I’m exceptionally thankful to the town for the tremendous gift they gave the Farris family today. When we finally arrived to the Miller Creek Cemetery near Johnson City, all of the bikers I talked to as soon as we dismounted were going on-and-on about the spectacular display of patriotism.
The Dripping Springs community lines 290 to honor Spc Joshua Farris
Much thanks to the Dripping Springs Babble for rallying the town.
Miller Creek Cemetery
The CenTex PGR riders were already at the cemetery with a flag line formed when we pulled into the oak tree-covered cemetery. At least a hundred bikes joined nearly that many cars beneath the shade:
Bikes parked beneath the oaks at Miller Creek Cemetery
We formed a circle around the grave site and the friends and family of Spc. Farris:
PGR Riders forming a flag line around the burial site
Thankfully, we had a break from the 100+ degree weather, and the temperature was only around 98 degrees at the time of the funeral. This young man did his part by handing out water to the flag holders:
A little patriot handing out water to some older patriots
Major General Michael Oates, the commander of the 10th Mountain Division, presided over the burial ceremony:
Gen. Oates presenting Spc. Farris' Purple Heart to his mother
The Honor Guard carefully folds the US Flag, making sure that only the star-filled blue field is visible.
Meanwhile, the rifle team waits in the distance before they render the 3-volley salute
Gen. Oates inspects the folded flag before presenting it to Spc. Farris' mother
Media (lack of) Coverage
A local Soldier was laid to rest today after giving his young life in defense of his country. If this isn’t news worthy and deserving of some ink and air time, I don’t know what is.
The local media — Austin American-Statesman, KEYE TV (CBS), KVUE (ABC), KXAN (NBC), and KTBC (FOX) — all spent countless hours and pages for days to remind every body that Michael Jackson died. They covered his death and his funeral as if nothing bigger or more important had ever happened.
Yet not a single one of them sent a single reporter or camera crew to cover today’s funeral and burial. Shameful and embarrassing. And totally predictable.
I looked around everywhere and could not find Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee, who as you recall wrote a 1600-word (longer than this blog post) Congressional Resolution honoring the freakazoid pedophile Michael Jackson (and flew it out to California to be at his funeral). I’m guessing the lack of any media to preen in front of at the funeral of Spc. Farris was only part of the reason that Rep. Jackson Lee wasn’t there to honor a Texas hero.
The fact that he was white also probably had something to do with it.
Kudos to News 8 Austin
But there was one reporter there today — Bonnie Gonzalez of News 8 Austin — and she did a tremendous and respectful job of covering today’s events.
I first noticed, but did not talk to, Bonnie at the funeral home in Smithville. I didn’t really expect to see her again 2 hours and 80 miles later at the cemetery. But there she was.
Budgets must be tight at News 8, because she was pulling double-duty as her own camera man person as well. I noticed her somewhat struggling up the hill at the cemetery, trying to carry the large camerae and the bulky tri-pod, so I grabbed the tri-pod from her and helped her up the hill.
Later, I stood nearby while she interviewed Gen. Oates (I wished I’d videoed the interview, as he was remarkable in his praise of Spc. Farris and all the other American Soldiers serving in Afghanistan). The General, who is a tall man, also picked up and carried the tri-pod for the much, much shorter Gonzalez.
I don’t know why I got such a chuckle out of this.
Bonnie Gonzalez of News 8 Austin interviewing Maj. Gen. Oates
Bonnie Gonzalez moving from camera woman to reporter to inteview Spc. Farris' mother
Afterward, I was also interviewed by Ms. Gonzalez on behalf of the PGR. If I can find a link to the video later I’ll post it.
I was asked if I knew Spc. Farris. When I replied no, she asked me why I was there then. I responded that I think it’s important for a nation to stop and take notice every time one of it’s fallen Soldiers comes home from war in a casket. And that’s why I was there, to show my respect to his family, his friends, and his community.
News 8 Austin should be commended for covering this story. And Ms. Bonnie Gonzalez should be commended as well for her professionalism and compassion throughout the day.
After 8 hours and nearly 200 miles in near 100-degree heat, I think I’m going to call it a wrap now.
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Robbie I am glad that you attended this. I won’t use this forum to be negative about the city of Smithville. I am just glad there are still places like Dripping Springs out there. Thanks for the report!
[...] UPDATE: Full funeral mission post here. [...]
Robbie I want to say thank you to you,the PGR riders,Dripping Springs townspeople and to Ms. Gonzalez for your service today in the memory of a fallen hero.
i was part of the honor guard today at spc farris’s graveside memorial and i would have to say since mrs. gonzalez was by herself she did an outstanding job making sure she covered every part of the ceremony. we really do appreciate her hard work and respect for the fallen soldiers!!!!
Thank you for participating in the PGR for Sgt. Farris and for sharing this unforgettable experience. All of the photos are just wonderful. I particularly love the photo of the little boy passing out water to the hot and thirsty PGR riders who were holding the flag line. What an impression this day must have made in his young mind.
I also wanted to thank all those who stopped to show their respects as the funeral procession passed, which includes the entire town of Dripping Springs. Thank you also to News 8 Austin’s Bonnie Gonzalez. It is good to know that there are still people out there who care enough to show some respect and appreciation for one of our nation’s young defenders who gave his all.
Last of all, but far from least, thank you again to our military — and to Sgt. Farris for his sacrifice. In my book, you are heroes.
I too made the ride today. It was long, hot, amazing. The planning and execution was very well done. Unfortunately, a lot of experience is behind the planning. Our Law Enforcement people are, well, better than my words to describe them.
After today, I would be ashamed to live in Smithville. There was people along the roadside, hands over hearts, all along the route except for that sucking void of Austin. I am again embarrassed that I am a native Austinite.
Now, I ain’t a man to make tears or such stuff but Dripping Springs made me choke up. But also Oak Hill, Henly, Sunset Valley, Bastrop, Circleville and others my heat frazzled mind can’t remember. Thanks America, you make me proud. Thanks to the Family of Spc Farris, my efforts today are nothing compared to his.
Robbie, first let me say what a pleasure it was meeting you, and your fellow PGRs today. And what an honor to be asked to stand at the end of the PGR line and display our flag.
I have always been proud to live in small town Texas, until today. If I could pick up my home and move it to the ranch in Fayette County tomorrow I would do it.
I have always known that Smithville was deep blue. But today, not to see one city councilman, not the mayor, not the city manager at the funeral was an absolute disgrace.
No, the funeral was not publicized. Had it not been for you, and the great emails I received from the PRGTX, I would have not known about Spc. Farris and his homecoming as I don’t subscribe to the local paper or the Austin American UnAmerican-Statesman.
While my husband and I were standing up by the highway (during the funeral) with our flag, one of your fellow PRG riders from Bastrop came to talk to us. I had tears in my eyes, not just because of Spc. Farris, but because of the poor showing of the town I live in. He told us he was from the east coast originally, and was really surprised at the lack of turnout by the townspeople. Even knowing the political temperment of my town, the lack of support surprised me. What dishonor Smithville has brought down upon itself. Tonight I feel like I bear the shame of the whole town. I will never view the citizens of Smithville the same again. And to compound the sadness, I later attended a going away party for another Smithville son who is deploying to Afghanistan.
I recently told friends, in an email about Spc. Farris, that no matter what their policial views are, this young soldier didn’t base his duty to protect and defend the citizens of the United States on their political views. He defended all of us, no matter our party, our color, our ethnicity or our religious beliefs. To him, we were just Americans, and he volunteered to protect us and defend the very Constitution under which we live. He paid the ultimate price for what we freely accept, our freedom and liberty.
Respect, and honoring those who are willing to risk their own lives, costs us nothing but a few minutes of our time. Are people’s mundane, petty lives so self centered and busy that they can’t say “Thank you” for what this soldier gave to them? It seems in Smithville they are.
I thank you and all the PGRs that understand that the gas, and the time, that it cost you to attend today, is chump change compared to the cost Spc. Farris, and his family, paid.
To quote my Irish grandmother,
May God bless you and hold you in the palm of His hand.
God bless Spc. Farris and God bless this nation of ours that so desparately needs his guidance.
I bet if you asked the Mayor and other city officials of Smithville if they supported the troops, I bet you would get a “yes, we support the troops” reply. There is words and there is deeds. In this case the city of Smithville made it clear with their loud silence, just where their real hearts are, where these brave troops are concerned.
My son was one of Joshua’s pall bearers. I knew this young man for half his life. My grief had almost overwhelmed me until I rode in that procession and saw the America I grew up knowing: from the PGRs to the individuals (very young to elderly) and all the families that stood on the side of the highways to honor Joshua. Joshua, with his unassuming personality from a humble background would never had believed that so many people loved and respected him for what he did. His mother, family and friends are amazed and grateful. To you all, I thank you for honoring Joshua and for allowing me to witness the generosity and greatness of the people of this country.
Thank you for doing this for all the men of Central Texas who give the ultimate sacrifice in defense of their country. It always brings a tear to my eyes when I see the pictures you post on twitter…God Bless you and your Patriot Guard Riders
To all the dear people of Dripping Springs, I say thank you from the bottom of my heart for the kindness you showed to Spc. Joshua Ferris. I was part of the PGR group that rode escort and when we came down the hill toward Dripping Springs and I saw all of you, the tears flowed uncontrollably!
Thank you so much for your time, your support and for your love of our soldiers and this country.
May God bless you all!
Kelly Rowe
Robbie, not only thanks for being there for Spc. Farris, his family, and indeed, all who serve, but also thank you for this wonderful post.
I don’t tear up easily, but this post, with the excellent photos, did the job.
Yes, with few exceptions, small town Texas will always show respect, and honor those who do so for us.
Robbie, Thank you for what you do. This is an exceptionally poignant report. The diversity of peoples and their attitudes here in Texas amazes me. Dripping Springs is the Texas I signed up for when I decided to stay after my first assignment here. I was at the cemetery when Y’all arrived and that was an amazing sight. I hope you don’t mind that I’ve placed the link to your story on our Centex and Austin PGR sites. Again, Thank You.
For more photos, click HERE.
For clips, click HERE.
http://www.news8austin.com/content/your_news/default.asp?ArID=246903
Robbie-
John Wiley emailed us your link—
We were reading your article and noticed you gave sole credit to DS Babble….which is incorrect.
While we are appreciative that the Dripping Springs Babble
sent information out, it was the citizens of Dripping Springs who sent information out, beginning with John Wiley of the Patriot Riders who contacted Kim Johnson, Executive Director of the Dripping Springs Area Chamber of Commerce;
who, in turn, contacted the community and asked that everyone pass the word. It snowballed from there-
God Bless Joshua and his family and to all those who serve our country!
Dripping with Pride-
Kim Johnson, Executive Driector
512.858.4740
Kim,
Thanks for setting the record straight. My sincerest thanks to you and all the fine people of Dripping Springs for simply doing the right thing.
Robbie,
Thank you for covering this. SPC Farris was one of my husbands soldiers so over the last couple of years we got to know him well. My heart sunk when i found out we had lost him. 1st Platoon will always keep him and his family in out hearts and prayers…
My Texas heart is bursting with pride for the people who showed such respect for one of our fallen HEROES. I am a transplanted Texan but my heart is always there with all of you wonderful people who treasure those who risk their lives to keep us free. Thank you, thank you, thank you.
Robbie, what a great post. The pictures were awesome and it was great to see the people lining the streets in Dripping Springs (love that name by the way).
I would like to thank all of the PGR’s who attended my brothers funeral. It really meant a lot to my family and I, and I do mean that with all my heart. I actually live in Dripping Springs and know the community is extremely supportive but I was even taken back when I saw the support they gave our family for our loss.
For everyone who prayed for us and showed your respect I am thankful.
With all my heart I thank ya’ll
Brittany Calhoun
You are quite welcome, Brittany. It was a tremendous honor to be allowed to help escort your brother home to his final resting place. He’s exactly the kind of guy that I would have shared a fox hole with any day.
Upon my return from the Nam I was assigned to perform “Funeral Detail” when I was with the 82nd Airborne Division. It was the worst assignment of my 21 year Army career, I saw my fellow Combat Veterans taken away from their loved ones way too early in their lives, leaving families in tears; when I saw this, it reminded me of that detail and all the pain and anguish of losing one so young. I’m very proud of this young man and my heart and sympathy go out to his family and friends.
I too live in Drippin’, but was not aware of this event, if I had, I too would have been out there, crippled or not, to join my fellow neighbors Honoring this fine young man. May our Lord and Father grant you the peace and privilege to be with Him forever, you’ve done your time in hell.
Sine Pari
Robbie Cooper, I would like to use one of your pics from dripping springs to send to the smithville times abut the lack of support from smithville.
PJ Msgt ret USAF
Please feel free to use any picture you want.
It’s a shame about how the death of Michael Jackson overshadowed stories of real heroes such as this.
Thank’s for lett’ng me use your pic.
PJ
I am one of few democrats here in Dripping Springs. I am at the mercy of my Republican brothers and sisters, who love to tease me. I am so very proud of this town. My family was out there waving flags…on my birthday, and I could not think of a better thing to do that day. My heart bleeds for Joshua’s mom, I too have a son. God bless that family.
Oh, and thanks to News 8 for being there. I agree…Hollywood gets way too much attention.
As a Vietnam Veteran, I was proud to join other veterans from other wars as well, along with hundreds of Drippin’ citizens, to honor one of our heroes. We stood as one, proud of our Country, thankful for the heroes who protect us, unmindful of the heat that day. May the Holy Comforter send His Grace to this fallen warrior’s family.
Thank you so very much for posting this. My son was serving with Joshua and had gone on R&R when Joshua left this world. He has some pictures, now pieces of gold, that he clings to. He is about to head back to Afghanistan and wanted to take back the guys anything he could find to share with them about Joshua. They feel forgotten over there and this helps them to know that we love and miss them. God bless you for what you have done and are doing.
Robbie: Thanks for this incredibly important article and for your help in honoring one of our fallen soldiers.
However, your article would have been even more powerful if you had not brought political (Democratic strong-hold) or racial (he was white) overtones into it.
I happen to agree that more people should have turned out to witness his funeral procession. But verbaly bashing your fellow citizens won’d get them to turn out in greater numbers to the next one. Please be inclusive rather than exclusive. Hopefully we won’t have too many more of these funerals to attend.
Thanks for sharing your thoughts on this. I’m an imperfect man; acknowledged. We can all do better.