Funerals and IDIOTS on the ROAD

[packinnova]

I don't know who it was, but I suspect one of our veterans has returned home to Virginia today. I encountered what appeared to be a low-key funeral procession of 6 or 7 vehicles on the Dulles Toll Road during my drive to work this morning.

It's quite irritating to see the lack of respect of some folks. The procession was traveling the left lane and actually ABOVE the speed limit, yet folks seemed completely intent on speeding around in and out to get by them seemingly at all cost. That was frustrating enough to watch...until I came up on the last car myself...

The last car was directly behind the hearse. In my 4Runner I could clearly see over the last car and into the rear of the hearse. The coffin was simple and draped with our Flag.

It was pretty clear they were having difficulty dealing with the zooming in and out around them and folks in front not clearing any path at all, at times causing the lead car to brake hard...frequently.

I'm surprised there was no guard, no leo's...no protection of any kind. But at least for a few miles(until I got to my exit)...they had a clear road ahead...

[DefensiveCarry.com]

[JohnD13]

No Respect and No Honor for those who have served. No surprise, everyone is in too big a hurry to care. As long as the coffee is hot a Starbucks...........

[Paco]

Good for you for doing what you could to give them the smooth ride they earned.

[tiwee]

Our little town lined the street when the word got out that a young man killed in Iraq was passing through to return to his hometown. I think the Highway Patrol gave our police a heads up and they passed the word. Not a soul in town knew the fellow, but everybody took a few minutes because we knew what was coming.

Perhaps those on the freeway had no advance notice and little situational awareness. There are millions of people that don't have the slightest idea what is going on in their immediate area. We have all seen it. There are plenty of people that are ignorant of decent behavior. Perhaps you had a mix.

[packinnova]

Our little town lined the street when the word got out that a young man killed in Iraq was passing through to return to his hometown. I think the Highway Patrol gave our police a heads up and they passed the word. Not a soul in town knew the fellow, but everybody took a few minutes because we knew what was coming.

Perhaps those on the freeway had no advance notice and little situational awareness. There are millions of people that don't have the slightest idea what is going on in their immediate area. We have all seen it. There are plenty of people that are ignorant of decent behavior. Perhaps you had a mix.

I wish that were the case, but it's kind of hard to miss a line of cars in front of you with flashing lamps and a hearse bringing up the rear.

[gottabkiddin]

If his name was Michael Jackson, I bet he'd had the respect he deserved!

Fickin society is so screwed up these days. Sorry had to vent it.

[HKinNY]

Many years ago one of my closest friends older brother passed away. They were in the towing business and the older brother always stated. When I die if we are in the towing business strap the coffin down onto the flatbed and take be to the cemetery. So upon his passing I personal took the cargo straps and strapped the coffin down and away we went. The Hearst followed the flatbed to the grave site. EVERY I mean EVERY flatbed and tow truck attended the funeral. The trucks shut down every corner of the intersection from the funeral chapel to the grave site. Unless you were in the procession you could not get pass. No way, No how. Then I had the "Ah Ha" and since that day anytime I have attended a funeral I have blocked traffic to keep the procession together. I have blocked traffic on other people funerals long enough so everybody can stay together. Once the first car stops and see the funeral go by they normally wait there. Second car gets antsy. We will all be there someday so what is the rush.

[ghost tracker]

Don't know about y'all, but folks thinking just a bit about the deceased & their family means you really don't have to be; respected, a veteran, a hero, well-liked or even well-known around my small piece of the world to have people pull-off & take time to let your remains pass with respect. Because around these parts, if even your old Grandpa so much as hears of you acting like an self-important jacka**, HE'LL give you a respect lesson, if necessary, with his cane!

[grady]

But at least for a few miles(until I got to my exit)...they had a clear road ahead...

[retsupt99]

Disgusting,

[lance22]

Yeah, it's a sad commentary on where our society is at. Like it or not it's the truth and people are ungrateful not just to the vets who serve, but ungrateful to the Founding Fathers and for all that our forbears worked to give us. Now we stand on the shoulders of giants but mock and deride those who have propped us up.

[archer51]

NoVA/DC area, I'm not surprised at all.

[QKShooter]

Ignorant people who do not have any respect for the living also have none for the dead.

[Sig 210]

Oklahoma has a law that a motorist must stop and stay stopped until the funeral procession passes by. Passing a funeral procession in OK in a reckless manner can get one cited very quickly becuase many of the funeral processions are lead and tailed by LEOs.

[Zsnake]

My wife and I were riding in WVa on time and folks (LOTS of FOLKS) coming toward us were pulling over and getting out of their cars. Then I notice that behind us was a limo with purple lights on the front. I pulled over and realized that it was a funeral procession. Everybody pulled over and got out of their cars, placed their hands over their hearts and bowed their heads.

I don't think that this is a law there....just respect and courtesy.

God bless them all.