Today I attended a soldier's funeral on behalf of the Florida Chapter of the Blue Star Mothers. I also road to the cemetery with the Patriot Guard and stood along side them holding a big American Flag. This was the first funeral of a serviceman that I've been emotionally able to attend.

Sgt. Monty Hobley was killed Sunday while riding his motorcycle. There is a tribute to him on the website of his riding club. From watching the slide show, it appears to me that Sgt. Hobley enjoyed life, and when his Uncle spoke at the funeral he assured everyone that he loved the Army. The funeral was very uplifting and unlike any I'd ever attended. He was buried with full military honors less than a mile from my house.

I've been trying to get my husband involved in the Patriot Guard. We have Kris's Harley while he's in Iraq. I'm not a fan of motorcycles for obvious reasons. But the Patriot Guard is an amazing group of people and performs an important role in honoring America's heroes. I called my husband during the 12 mile procession and asked him to go park somewhere on the route just to see the devotion of these men and women and the patriotism they bring to such a somber event.

When we turned the last corner into the graveyard I saw his car parked in the distance.