We Stand As One

I was in College Station yesterday. I was asked to photograph the events within the day of the funeral of LTC Roy Lin Tisdale. I was blessed to be able to learn more about LTC Roy Tisdale and walk the holy ground of his remembrance yesterday. I am not going to infringe on the family's privacy and share any pictures that would do that, however, I do want to share the public's response to LTC Tisdale, the outcry of support was breathtaking.

LTC Tisdale was an Aggie. I really did not know much about being an Aggie until yesterday. One of the military men who was accompanying the family from Ft. Bragg stopped along the road the night before when LTC Tisdale was being transported and asked a woman among the crowd if she knew LTC Tisdale. She said, no, but he was an Aggie and there are no strangers in Aggieland. These words rang true for two days straight with the support coming from the Aggie community shining so brightly to support LTC Tisdale and his family.

 I had heard that there would be protestors at the funeral, the same group that protests at military funerals across the states. This had weighed heavy on my heart, this family had suffered enough. Could they not remember their family member in peace. As I arrived at the church I noticed lots of college aged students and older all wearing Aggie colors. It was still several hours until the funeral was scheduled to start, I wondered if there had been an event at the church that all the Aggies had been a part of. More and more maroon shirts, more and more cars...and then I looked out to the outskirts of the church and all of those maroon shirts were lined up next to each other. It was well over 100 degrees yesterday. Hundreds and hundreds of Aggies, young and old, lined up side by side to protect the family. It reminded me of the scripture of God gathering up all his chicks under His wing for protection. They were there to protect the family. No one was getting through that was not welcome.

To the left of the barrier of maroon angels, there was a sea of chrome. I walked through the parking lot that was filled with bikers that were there to offer their protection and support also. They were the Patriot Guard. They would stand outside the church to protect, show honor and respect to LTC Tisdale and his family, and escort the motorcade. At one point a group of the Patriot Guard Bikers started walking down the line of the Aggie wall of protection and shook their hands. They thanked them for being there today and expressed how much it meant to them to have the Aggies there in support. Wow.

 On our way to the Texas A&M Field of Honor where LTC Tisdale would be interred the people lined the sidewalks to show their respect. Young and old. Holding flags. Hands over hearts. Waving. Praying. Crying. Supporting. They held signs and showed respect for a great hero who would be laid to rest, and to communicate to the family that they are very mindful of their sacrifice, and they are loved.

The final pictures are at the Aggie Field of Honor. The flags were everywhere. The respect of what was taking place was palpable.

The last slide is of a scripture. Romans 12:21. "Do not be overcome by evil, but overcome evil with good." This scripture was one that my friend Stephen Corbett was holding close to his heart during this time. Stephen is a minister at my church and also LTC Tisdale's brother-in-law. I thought that this scripture described what I saw during my time in College Station yesterday. I saw love pouring out of people everywhere, people dressed in maroon, people riding motorcycles, the military, people on the streets...

LTC Roy Tisdale was 42 years old. He was a father and a husband. He did great things within his family, and sacrificed for our country for many years. He will be remembered for so much. He was a great man of God, who loved his Lord.

 Click here to see a slideshow of the public support. The music starts a bit loud...