The Eyes of Freedom - a video by Jennette Cox
Even though this is the Fairlawn-Bath Patch, when military from northeast Ohio are injured or die, we suddenly become one community. As an Air Force mom, I try not to think about what it would be like if I lost my sons. Sometimes it is a sad, terrible fact of life.
This weekend, I was meeting a friend at the Jardine Funeral Home in Strongsville to hand off a computer file of a recent event. Joe called me while I was waiting and asked if I had seen “the Exhibit”. I didn’t know about an exhibit – so he told me to go in and look around.
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I was blown away. First, that Jardine Funeral Home dedicates itself to veteran funerals. I didn’t realize that there were funeral homes like that, who cater to military families. It was warm, welcoming and beautiful; decorated with tasteful displays of old military uniforms, flags and memorabilia. The employees could not have been more kind and wonderful.
Inside, over this past weekend was a traveling memorial for the Lima Company Marines who were killed in action in 2005. It’s an amazing display, life-size painted portraits of the men, with the actual boots of the Marines at their feet with personal belongings inside them. Photos tucked in, military coins, dog tags… it was very moving.
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The veterans group, Rolling Thunder escorted the memorial out of Strongsville via motorcycle escort. It's always something to see the veterans willing - REALLY willing - to support others. Even though the memorial has moved on to Columbus, you will have a fairly good idea of the traveling memorial if you look at the video (link at the top of this article). If you get a chance to see it in person, you will find that you are welcomed with open arms by the men who travel with the memorial. It is a fitting tribute to these Marines and their families.
Semper Fi, from an Air Force Mom.