As I mentioned yesterday, Jen and I saw New York State Trooper Joseph Longobardo’s hearse waiting for the funeral to begin. Little did I know what a tremendous and moving event would come a few hours later.
As many as 7,500 police and military individuals from around the country arrived in Saratoga yesterday for the most incrediblly coordinated funeral I’ve ever witnessed (and the “biggest funeral ever held for a trooper in the state,” according to the Times Union story). It was also more cops and navy men and marines and troopers than I’d ever seen assembled in one place. The assemblage stretched down Lake Avenue as far as the eye could see, and witnessing the funeral procession — the motorcade, the Scottish marching band, the hearse attended by marines and troopers — was a sight to behold.
And the silence. You can’t imagine how quiet and still it was on a perfectly clear and beautiful September 11 morning with that many uniformed men and women lining the usually busy street. The only sounds were those of neighborhood dogs barking.
Most moving for me was as the hearse passed, the line of police and military people — probably 6 or more deep — would salute their fallen camrade row by row. With the backdrop of the events of September 11 in the air, I felt honored to be in the presence of so many who serve and protect our neighborhoods and our nation.
Thank you all. I salute you.
Saratogian: Farewell to a fallen brother | Times Union: Strangers pause to pay tribute to fallen officer | Times Union: Paying Respects: Trooper Joseph Longobardo Photo Gallery
1 response so far ↓
1 Ziggy Stardust // Sep 13, 2006 at 12:17 am
Well put!
Now, please step up the vids.