A homecoming

I try not to talk about such heavy or controversial topics on this little blog of mine, but today I have a heavy heart.

In the last couple of weeks Oklahoma has lost about four or five soldiers to the war. One of them being from my hometown.

Today he is coming home.

I didn't know this man, and unfortunately I will never get the chance to know him.

Sgt. Anthony Peterson died August 4, 2011 while serving our country in Afghanistan, he was 24 years old. A son, brother, father, best friend and a man of God.

As I type this, my hometown and hopefully thousands of residents are lining the streets to pay tribute to this fallen solider as he is brought home and layed to rest.

The outpouring of love and support and kind words for this man is abundant. I have learned so much about the man he was, just from what everyone says about him on facebook.

"He lived with character. He lived with purpose. His name wasn't known to most. BUT, he died with that same character and that same purpose. Now, look at all who knows the name Sgt Anthony Peterson. Proof that how you live matters." from a friend on FB

My entire news feed are statuses like this about this great man of God.

Now, with all this love and out pouring support there is a church, I am sure y'all have heard about them. Westboro Baptist church. This is the church that protests at military funerals and they have listed on their website that they will be protesting this Sgt.'s. funeral.

I try not to get into politics and religion, and I am not going to for the most part, however, I will say this. As a Christian woman, I do not understand how a church can protest and say that a life, a man of God, doesn't deserve a homecoming or that his life didn't matter.

His life mattered. His risked his life for our lives. Does the sound familiar to anyone?

Hopefully between a group called the Patriot Guard Riders and the many residents of my town, will show up in full force and stop these people from protesting.

I just want this man, who fought and died for our country to come home to the homecoming he so greatly deserves.

May you rest in peace Sgt. Anthony Peterson, thank you for all you did for me and my country. Your home now and please if you see a blonde hair beauty, wearing cowboy boots, tell her I said Hi!