Southern Traditions: Pulling Over for a Funeral Procession
First of all, I realized while researching this that pulling over during a funeral procession is not exclusive to the South.
But we might be the only place where law enforcement still assists such a thing.
I’ve had my moments where I’ve been annoyed by this practice, yes. Including one memorable moment when I lived in Athens and was made late to class by it, and blasted out the whole thing while in my car. Whoever was next to me saw fit to bless me out in return. That was when I rolled my windows up.
However I never really fully appreciated the practice until my grandfather died.
As we rode in the limo to the gravesite, I saw others who had pulled over. And it meant something to me.
Can it get annoying to others? I’m sure it can. I got caught off guard today and nearly rear ended the car in front of me when suddenly a sheriff’s office car pulled out in front of us to block traffic for an incoming procession. But it only put me out of my day by five- maybe ten minutes at the very most.
Another recent example was the procession of Officer T.J. Freeman in my hometown. This was a young man who was killed in a chase, pursuing a suspect.
His funeral procession must have lasted some 30 minutes, maybe more.
There were officers from all across our state of Georgia. From Atlanta all the way down to Glynn Couny on the coast. Savannah, Warner Robins, and everywhere in between. Even the schools: Bibb County Schools, Middle Georgia State University, Central Georgia Technical College and Mercer University.
It was certainly a sight.
And yet, as I waited to take photos and video for the tv station I currently work for, there were still people who showed up and were angry.
Where I was stationed was in front of a fire station, and they had the side road blocked. It was clear what was going on. Not only that, but all media outlets and officials had done their job in letting the public know ahead of time.
But some were still angry. And don’t blame it on millennials. I witnessed one woman who must have been in her 60’s completely blasted out the fire fighters. It was disheartening. I got it on video but didn’t see fit to post it.
Even for those few who were upset, there were more who turned out in support.
Ordinary people, who wished to pay their respects.
People who had some small connection, and those who had none.
Mr. Larry Walker, whose son knew T.J. He wanted to come and pay respects to, as he said, a fallen hero. He bore an American flag.
Another group brought a flag as well.
And a soldier came to salute.
There were even children there. I wonder how much of it they understood.
While I was deeply saddened to see a few people being disrespectful, I was also uplifted by those who took time out of their days to pay respect.
Because these days, it seems like none of us have enough time. Especially those who leave us too soon.
Love to all y’all,
Molly
