I attended the funeral of a hero today. Spc. Russell Madden was the son of a friend. Russell's father, Marty, and my husband, Jim, both attended grade school together in Bellevue and after high school played in the same rock band for a few years. That's how I met Marty, when I started dating Jim and hanging around their band practices and gigs.
I never met Russell but by the way he was described in the media, he must have been much like his father . Marty was always the happy band member, joking with me and the other girlfriends and taking time to befriend my young daughters. For some reason I can't remember, they called him "Cupcake".
I was on my great detour when Russell was born but through the stories I have heard, he was an amazing man. He was a football hero, friend to many, father, husband and brave soldier.
It was touching to see the outpouring of support and love today. The military was clearly proud of their brother in arms and demonstrated profound respect. The roar of the motorcycles, ridden by the Patriot Guard Riders, moved the soul.
I am not Catholic and have only attended about a dozen Catholic funeral masses but the mass today, with 8 priests, a monsignor and a bishop was an honor to the character and commitment of Russell. Incense carried prayers to heaven as music and voices filled the air. Two young sons, dressed in camo fatigues, placed roses on their father's casket. God was present in that place.
Along the funeral procession to the St. Stephens, cars pulled to the side of the road, in respect. We passed strangers who stood with hands in salute and some with tears in their eyes.
At the cemetery, we cried with the Maddens. We cried at the folding of the flag, the presentation of flags to Russell's wife, father, mother and sons. We stood proud, some weeping as his fellow soldiers fired a 21 gun salute and a distant bugler played taps. We gave our condolences to Marty and his family but words seemed so meaningless at such a moment.
We were proud to be there. Proud to be in the company of our fallen hero, Russell Madden. But we were also proud to be in the company of all the men and women in uniform who were not only there to serve their fellow soldier but to serve us each day. We pray that they will not have to pay the same ultimate sacrifice, even though we know they would.
God Bless America and God Bless Russell Madden.
