McCLURE, Ohio - In small town America, when people see a funeral procession approaching, they still pull their cars over to the shoulder and pay their respects. But when McClure, Ohio, recently lost one of its hometown heroes serving in Iraq, McClure put everything aside to mourn its loss and to celebrate the freedom that such devastating loss represents.
McClure is a beautiful town in northern Ohio, about 40 miles southwest of Toledo. It is a small town with few streets, surrounded by thousands of acres of farmland.
On June 26, as the funeral procession of Air National Guard Lt. Col. Kevin "Sonny" Sonnenberg passed from the church to the cemetery, the scene was one which I will never forget - old men with their farm caps over their hearts, ladies in wheelchairs, businessmen, women and children waving the flag.
On each side of the street were hundreds of folks who turned out to say goodbye, show their support for the Sonnenberg family and display their pride to our nation. As we moved through McClure's beautiful farming landscapes, we passed the farmhouse belonging to Sonny's parents.
At the entrance to the drive, displayed in a semi-circle, were those things that represented Sonny's passions a miniature F-16, an old pickup truck, and a pair of John Deere tractors, each flying Old Glory.
Sonnenberg's life and sacrifice represents the true spirit of the Minuteman. The men and women of our National Guard are ready to serve this country in battle, just as they have since the birth of our nation, in a moment's notice.
The significance of the Minuteman is known by all Guard men and women, but many of his family and friends may have been unaware of the symbolic relevance.
Sonny was a farmer, an airline pilot, an F-16 instructor pilot, a husband, father, brother and a friend to many. Much like the early Minutemen, he left his farm, family, job, and friends to take up arms in a cause in which he believed.
He was a volunteer and did not seek fame or special recognition for his efforts. He was passionate about his faith, family, country, flying and farming. I never met Lt. Col. Sonnenberg, but I have met many folks like Sonny during my time in uniform.
He belonged to the Ohio Air National Guard's 180th Fighter Wing, from Toledo, when he crashed during a combat sortie launched out of Balad Air Base, Iraq, on June 15. He was buried near his hometown 11 days later.
Fellow squadron members performed a missing-man formation honoring Sonny, their friend and fellow Guardsman.
Our Minuteman heritage is replete with examples like Lt. Col. Sonny Sonnenberg, their families and their communities. Sonny was a true patriot like that of the Minuteman; devoting himself to his country, defending those rights and freedoms that he, too, believed in.
I can't remember a time when I was more proud to wear a uniform or to be a Guardsman. I will keep the Sonnenberg family in my thoughts and prayers, and I salute and thank the residents of Henry County for reminding me of what is right about America.