Honoring American heroes

-Gary Allen

It was a beautiful spring day on Saturday. High, light clouds and a bit of a breeze.

A perfect day to grab the clubs and hit the golf course.

Just the thing that LeRoy and Jess would have done, had done, so many times before.

That tradition would be no more.

Saturday was a beautiful spring day. With high, light clouds, and a hint of a breeze fluttering through the countless American flags surrounding a peaceful Iowa cemetery.

It was on that beautiful spring day that friends and family laid an American hero to rest.

Heroes are often illustrated as larger than life figures. Sometimes, most often however, they inhabit bodies just like you and I. Sometimes, those heroes prove their valor not just by their bravery and strength in battle, but through the everyday business of making a family and building a life.

LeRoy Webster was a hero on both counts. He served his country bravely, willingly, honorably. He served his family with love, caring and compassion.

His widow Jessica chose the country song, "Life Ain't Always Beautiful," to be played at the service for her husband. The simple words illuminated so clearly the wonderful highs that life can bring, and also the heartbreaking lows.

The hundreds who showed their respects to LeRoy honored his sacrifice for all of us. The outpouring of love and unknown prayers have lifted his family. And, through her actions and her strength through such difficult days, Jessica showed there were two heroes in her family.

A military wife, she understood what that meant. A loving wife, she understands life will never be the same.

I have watched in awe as she has honored her husband, with a quiet grace, while protecting and nurturing their three beautiful daughters. I know that their father's legacy is safe with Jessica. Those young ladies will grow up to know the man, of that I am certain. Their mother will make sure of that, as will his family and friends.

When we lose an American soldier, we so often gain an American warrior on the homefront, not by choice, but through fire.

Steel, after all, is forged through fire, and strength never imagined is found.