70 Responses to:
LAST NIGHT AT THE FUNERAL HOME

# 1. 2/3/10 12:16 AM by Rob Staples - Henrico, VA
God bless Zach Smith, and God bless America.

# 2. 2/3/10 12:21 AM by Just Me
In answer to the poll: Of course I have lost someone. Every man and woman in uniform lost is my brother and my sister. Their name is American and I am American. I thank God for their service for they do it for me and mine.

# 3. 2/3/10 12:36 AM
It is always tragic when someone dies in a war peple that are going to defend the country. They are someones son, brother, sometimes husband uncle.

Some die others spend years as pows. There is someone from Hailey Idaho that is a pow they beleive over in Pakistan no word on his release yet. People from his town are praying for his release. A price we pay to defeat evil in this world.

# 4. 2/3/10 12:37 AM by Zzyzx - Sandy UT
Beautifully stated and moving Bob.

Please Rod, have the decency to refrain from staining today's column with any of your comments.

# 5. 2/3/10 12:44 AM by Paul Martin - Rochester NY
My prayers to his family, friends and fellow Marines. SEMPER FI!!

# 6. 2/3/10 5:29 AM by A Patriot - Lockport, NY
Thank you, Zack.

# 7. 2/3/10 5:36 AM by SGM - Utah
A well written and moving column. Our hearts and prayers are with the family.

Sometimes the price is too high. We can only hope and pray that down the road, years from now, we can say it was worth it.

My career was with the Army. My last assignment was with a combined Task Force of Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines. I learned a whole new level of respect for all of these people, particularly the Marines. SEMPER FI!

# 8. 2/3/10 6:19 AM by Mario - Brockport
There is plenty of room in heaven for people like Zach. God bless him.

# 9. 2/3/10 6:24 AM by Kevin - Roch
Thank You and God Bless Zach.

# 10. 2/3/10 6:43 AM by Suzie - Penfield, NY
Thank you Zack Brown.

My nephew has spent the last two and a half years at Walter Reed Army Medical Center. He lost a hand and a leg. He hopes to leave there this summer. I asked him recently if he could change his decision to join the army. He would not change anything.

# 11. 2/3/10 6:44 AM by ex-pansy
...Semper Fi...

# 12. 2/3/10 6:51 AM by Poplar Beach
Always Remember; a friend, a Marine, he died in the barracks in Beirut, my tears flowed when they played taps for him, and they flowed as I read this, always remember.

Thanks Bob.

# 13. 2/3/10 6:55 AM by Suzie
I meant to say Thank you Zack Smith, not Brown. I even double checked and still wrote the wrongg name. I apologize.

# 14. 2/3/10 7:06 AM
Bob- you always seem to get it right. Zac's dad, Chris, is a friend and colleague of my husbands and use to work here in Troop "E". Thank you for sharing this beautiful article about a true American hero. Many people seem to throw that word around and it is often misused. Thanks for getting it right! God Bless you for taking the time to write this and God Bless the Smith family.

# 15. 2/3/10 7:22 AM by Rational Rod - CANADA
I'm sorry for your loss. War is hell. #4 - what are you afraid of? That I would point out that this column is propaganda? Isn't that obvious? That it's terrible when you believe so much that isn't true? Also obvious. Stain? The truth shall set you free. Peace.

Editor's Note: honestly, rod, this isn't the day for that. let's fight another day, my friend.

# 16. 2/3/10 7:33 AM by MIKE
I feel terrible for his family. I'm grateful for his service, and hope he's rewarded in heaven for it.

(I'm also grateful this wasn't another "hero's" funeral for a dog."

# 17. 2/3/10 7:43 AM by Floyd R. Turbo
Please Rod, have the decency to refrain from staining today's column with any of your comments.

It was worth a shot.

Victory.

# 18. 2/3/10 7:45 AM by Rick G. - Spencerport NY
I had to check "no" on the poll, but after reading the article, I wish there was a spot to check, "I do now."

# 19. 2/3/10 8:25 AM by bob - webster
Get out of Iraq and Afghanistan. Neither country or populace threatens or has threatened our freedom. Only Washington threatens our freedom.

# 20. 2/3/10 8:29 AM by Mike - Hilton NY
Well done Bob. After these things happen, you have the gift of conveying your thoughts in a manner that I wish I could do the same. You have done it for my family and for all those local families who have lost a loved one. It is truly appreciated. God bless this hero's family and God bless the United States of America.

# 21. 2/3/10 8:45 AM by paul - rhode island
Thanks for the important reminder.

After such a long war, those of us not in the military, and without immediate friends or relatives in Iraq or Afghanistan, tend to put it at the back of our mind. But we mustn't forget those who sacrifice for the rest of us.

This thing has gone on twice as long as US involvement in WWII. We need to end it. I suspect that politically correct pussyfooting is preventing us from doing what has to be done. Besides, isn't the Iraqi Army trained yet?

# 22. 2/3/10 8:49 AM
Very nice words Bob. I agree with much of what you wrote.

Here's the awful word no one wants to hear after reading your column, "but".

But, I remember all too vividly my days during the Viet Nam war when these soldiers funerals were all too commonplace. Just my life 2 of my close childhood friends were taken by that war. Small communities all around us saw these soldier funerals on a regular basis. So many in fact that the American people who you call the real America began to finally ask, what is this slaughter of our finest all about? What the hell is this war for? Is it worth it to lose our treasures for some vague goal of stopping communism in southeast Asia?

Most war hawks created the saying, "This is America, love it, or leave it".

Hippies protested the war everywhere and were scorned angry words and often with violence against them. Had it not been for their drug addled brains and libido rewards from the new free love attitudes that the birth control pill brought, the hippies probably would have gave up their protest after such scorn.

Instead, the real America slowly joined the great unwashed hippie movement against the war because of the many funerals in our small communities of the war dead.

Those were the days when hearing reports on the Friday evening news that anywhere from 300 to 500 American soldiers were killed that week.

Yes, there were still the long lines of mourners at the funeral homes as there were at the soldiers funeral you attended last night.

But, the talk had changed in funeral line to how rotten the war was and that we had to get out. You would have encountered great opposition had you brought your glory of war speech to those funeral lines in the 1960's.

A war that has vague meaning becomes very unpopular the more these funerals happen.

As it should be.

# 23. 2/3/10 9:04 AM by gww - Rochester, NY
That such sadness has been repeated thousands of times all over this country is such a shame.

Ohhh, war, I despise Because it means destruction Of innocent lives

War means tears To thousands of mothers eyes When their sons go to fight And lose their lives

# 24. 2/3/10 9:04 AM
My condolences to the family.

Another young life lost for naught.

Editor's Note: the freedom of america is not for naught

# 25. 2/3/10 9:23 AM by Marlene - Allegany County
Last evening I was down the road in Canisteo where I had the honor to hear the Redskin cheerleaders sing the National Anthem superbly in harmony. Outstanding.

Editor's Note: i'd have loved to have heard that.

# 26. 2/3/10 9:36 AM by Lance - Huntsville, AL
After 2 deployments (Iraq and Afghanistan), I don't know of a single Soldier who doesn't feel this fight is worth the costs. And it is the Soldier, Sailor and Marine that bears that cost. Even if it means we end up at the funeral home way too early.

# 27. 2/3/10 9:44 AM by Kevin Sadaj - Ferndale, MI
Beautifully written. I will let me friends know about this. USMC 89 -93

# 28. 2/3/10 9:49 AM by Dave - Victor
Good Morning Bob- My heart goes out to the Smith family- what a tragic loss. When will our political leaders in Washington have the courage to unleash the full might and fury of the US military on these filthy backwards lowlifes. The world does not share their view of life, backwards and living in stone caves, subjugating women and children and foreigners. Not one American serviceman is worth 1,000 of these wasteproducts. If they want to be martyrs and meet Allah- let's grant them their wish. The quicker the better. It is nice to be respected, but better to be feared. And we are not even respected over there.

# 29. 2/3/10 9:52 AM by Dave B - Fairport, NY
I really have to fall in line behind Rick G here when I say I answered "no" on the poll, and then rethought my answer after reading

# 2. 2/3/10 12:21 AM by Just Me In answer to the poll: Of course I have lost someone. Every man and woman in uniform lost is my brother and my sister. Their name is American and I am American.

Just Me hit it right on the head and your article, Bob, clearly showed how we are really all family. After all, I have a nephew in Afghanistan right now and I hope and pray everyday that he will not end up in an article such as this brave soldier.

And it truly is a shame that Rod has such a negative outlook on everything in life that he can't even leave a touching story like this one alone. Shame on you Rod. You've become tiresome and should really crawl back under the rock you came from. After all, I doubt you'd be missed as I find it hard to believe you have anything resembling friends or companions.

# 30. 2/3/10 9:53 AM by USMC Vet - Raleigh, NC
SAEPE EXPERTUS, SEMPER FIDELIS, FRATRES AETERNI (Often Tested, Always Faithful, Brothers Forever)

Bob, I took the liberty of posting your article (with citation to you and your website) on a Marine Heritage website, togetherweserved.com I hope you get eyeballs for the rest of your work from there; I thought it the best way to get many of my brothers to see your article. Thank you.

Editor's Note: i'm honored you shared it. i hope word about this young man can spread far and wide.

# 31. 2/3/10 9:55 AM by Conservative Mom - Sandy UT
Bob sorry to be off topic here, but I just heard your interview w/Orrin Hatch while on my morning run.

Aughhhhhh.....that interview was Exhibit #1 of someone who has simply been in Congress too long! It was obvious Uncle Orrin is more concerned about appearing bipartisan and unobstructionist than representing real conservatism.

Senator Hatch needs to understand that if what Congress proposes is wrong, we elected him to be an obstructionist.

Instead he kept trying to sell how hard he has worked to accomplish something not nearly as bad as what the president wants.

Basically he was telling us something akin to: 'the President wants to rape your 12-year-old daughter and you should all be grateful that Chuckie Schumer and I have proposed that he just be allowed to grope her at will instead'.

Orrin is a RINO. Thanks for pointing that out yesterday and allowing him to personally demonstrate it again this morning.

# 32. 2/3/10 9:55 AM by Carole - greenwood/florida
Our hearts are saddened and yet proud of this young man and his family, They have given the ultimate for our country. God bless them all.

# 33. 2/3/10 9:58 AM by alexander - upstate ny usa
It was nice of you to attend his funeral.

My best to the family and loved ones of Zach Smith.

# 34. 2/3/10 10:00 AM by alexander - upstate ny usa
FURR

# 35. 2/3/10 10:12 AM by Working in Akron - Akron, Ohio
Army Reservist Pfc. Devin J. Grella. Died Sept. 6, 2004 in Irag when the truck he was driving was struck by a roadside bomb.

We knew Devin for most of his life. He was raised in a great all american family. His accomplishments read much like the young man you write about today.

God bless Zach's young widow and the Smith family.

Editor's Note: god bless the grella family for their sacrifice and for raising a noble son.

# 36. 2/3/10 10:24 AM by Dean
I guess I'm not in the "Real America". I live in the suburbs and don't have any friends or relatives under 80 who have served in the military.

That's the problem with this war. For people like me, it's not real and the costs are nebulous. It frankly isn't painful enough, which is why it will go on and on.

# 37. 2/3/10 10:33 AM by Masked Marvel - Parts Unknown
On your poll today -- yes, I know someone who is lost to terrorism ... President Obama ... clueless ...

# 38. 2/3/10 11:06 AM by Right Wing Extremist - Lake Bonneville
rod crotch, the toronto terrorist, the anti-Zack.

Nothing more noble and honorable than defending freedom. God speed, Zack, God speed.

Oh, and way to stick it to uncle orrin - he is a RINO. Make him defend himself.

# 39. 2/3/10 11:06 AM by Andy - Rochester
Lance Corporal Smith was 11 years old when this war started. He was living in the security that was warmth and routine within his family, home, church, school and community. The war was far away in that world of security. The war came to that little southern-tier town. It came home to all New Yorkers, actually. He is one of us.

# 40. 2/3/10 11:07 AM
Where is the America that isn't real?

# 41. 2/3/10 11:18 AM by Kevin - Provo
Justifications for the old men sacrificing the young men never can be swallowed easily no matter how well you sugar-coat it.

# 42. 2/3/10 11:25 AM by JOHN - MTMORRISNY
fideli certa merces

1. “To the faithful there is certain reward”

* Found on all U.S. Marine Corps Honorable discharge certificates, it represents the valor and sacrifices Marines gave to ensure "one nation under God" that is safe and secure for citizens around the world to live and flourish in.

We who remain, carry a cross in our hearts for all those who have gone before.

AN "X" Marine of Peace with Honor still trying to understand, "HIS", (IHS) plan.

God Bless this valiant Marine.......

it don't mean nuthin'.... IT MEANS EVERYTHING.

# 43. 2/3/10 11:39 AM by Liam's Dad - Rochester
Rick G,

Same here...

Thanks Bob,

Brian

# 44. 2/3/10 12:09 PM by lee k - syracuse, ny
I so wanted to respond, but after reading #34, I cannot think of a better, shorter & more to the point response than his.

Thanks alexander.

# 45. 2/3/10 12:10 PM by Jolene - Sandy, Utah
Zach is my brother who is gone and I'm grateful for his service. I feel priviledged to have read about this honorable man. Rod is my brother as well, regardless how bitter and annoying.

# 46. 2/3/10 12:19 PM by Joe Turd
Fine Column, thank you for attending the funeral and shairng the experience with your readers.

# 47. 2/3/10 12:35 PM by dick - n greece
Caleb was 15 when he lost his mom, my sister, to a brain tumor. Ten years later, June 3, 2007, he joined her in heaven -killed by an IED in Baghdad.

May God bless all those who defend this country. We will never forget you.

# 48. 2/3/10 12:54 PM by Zzyzx - Sandy UT
I absolutely believe that the truth will set all of us free. The truth is there is both good and evil in this world.

The truth is that unless good stands, evil spreads.

The truth is sadly, that freedom comes at a very high price.

The truth is that too many good lives are lost in the battle against evil, but the good willingly give their lives and the lives of their sons, daughters, spouses, parents, siblings, and neighbors, etc to preserve and spread freedom to all. Even for those who are so blind to the truth that they think ignoring, renaming, or aligning themselves with evil is the same as defeating it.

# 49. 2/3/10 1:09 PM by Mike Rosenhan - Kearns, UT
Let me start out by saying, Rod, you are the biggest Asswipe in North America. Quite possibly the Western Hemisphere. I'm not laughing today. Your statement today doesn't make it a discussion about philosophy, just stupidness. Freaking moron.

My heart goes out to this family. In my mind there is no higher calling in life than serving your fellow man. Be it in church or in the military (which I think are the two highest callings). Those that choose to serve in the military, thereby putting their lives at risk, do so, for the most part, selflessly.

My son is currently in the ROTC program at BYU and is looking forward to serving in the U.S. Army as his chosen career. That is his choice and I support him wholeheartedly. Since I didn't serve in the Military, I was a cop, I will be serving vicariously through him. I will worry about him when he is in harms way, and I will grieve for him if something bad happens.

As the Savior said, "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." Also King Benjamin said, "...when ye are in the service of your fellow beings, ye are only in the service of your God." Two great statements. One by the Son of God, the other by an inspired Prophet of God. Both from scripture.

I think that there is a special corner of Heaven that is saved for those who give their lives in the line of duty. Just like this man did. Again, may his family be blessed by the Lord in their time of struggle and grief.

# 50. 2/3/10 1:40 PM by Jolene - Sandy, Utah
Mmmmmmm.....Mike #49 from Kearns..I'm thinkin' that the "biggest asswipe in North America" goes to Barack Obama. Sorry, but those who rightfully earn it shouldn't be denied.

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