Spc. Sterling Wyatt

July 21, 2012 ~ I had the honor to be a part of the "red wall" yesterday to honor Spc. Sterling Wyatt who was from Columbia, MO and was killed in the line of duty on July 11, 2012. It was truly amazing to see a community come together, wearing red shirts to show our support and condolences to his family. Many people were not able to attend but were there in spirit and commenting that they were wearing red to honor Sterling. I did not know this young man or his family but prior to this day he served us and I felt it was the least I could do to help serve him and his family by being apart of this day. (pictured with the DeVore, Spry & Crews family)

Pictures, posts, and pictures can't express this day. It was emotional, heart-wrenching and sad but it was also a great feeling that we helped make a day that was so hard for this family just a little easier knowing we wrapped our hearts around them. Family, friends, strangers.... all races, all political views, all religions came together when it was needed most. It made me proud to be from a community like Columbia, MO. Sterling's mother and younger brother came outside to thank everyone for their support on this day. She was such a strong woman to come out and speak to us but she knew we were there to pay our respects to her son.

During the funeral services, First Baptist Church in downtown Columbia was surrounded by a "sea of red". Just before the funeral ended we were asked to spread out to create a "red" path from the church to the burial site. I took a video (uploaded on YouTube) from where we were standing on the Business Loop less than a mile from Memorial Park Cemetery. On the way from the church it was a great feeling to see so many people lined up everywhere on this path with American flags and their red shirts. I hope that Spc. Sterling Wyatt knows that his community is proud of him for serving our country.