My hometown of Bethalto,Il is very similar to the town of Covington,In where I have relatives. Both of these towns are what I would consider "hometowns" which generations stay to raise their children in the same place that they were raised. Each town has that small town living that we are lucky to enjoy. Unfortunately, we now have something else in common. We have both lost a young marine who has been killed in action. On Dec 24th, 2010 our town of Bethalto lost United States Marine Corps Lance Cpl Kenneth Corzine to battle. In the days that followed, I stood on our airport's tarmac as a member of the Patriot Guard while we received the body of this fallen hero. I also stood next to my step-son who was home on leave after finishing Marine Corps boot camp. Talk about emotional knowing the Corzine family had not long before had their son home after finishing boot camp. In the days that followed, I saw our small town come together as one like I had never seen before. As you will see, the "flagman" will place thousands of flags along the streets of your city. Everyone I know came to the showing and funeral for Lance Cpl Corzine. There was love for him from those who had never met him and those who grew up with him. Like Lance Cpl Joshua Witsman, our hero had grown up in our town. He had played sports with our children, gone to school and sat next to our own kids and in death had become our child. My town knows your pain. This is your chance to embrace Joshua whether you knew him or not. You know him now, for he is your child. We also had members of the Westboro Baptist Church show up in a very small group. There was a lot of thought to how to deal with this group and we handled it the best I had seen. We ignored them! They were no match for the love of a whole town. The love for Josh will overpower this group. Enough about them! You may also have Gold Star parents attend the showing. Gold Star families are those who have already paid the ultimate sacrifice with the life of a soldier. I ask that you love them as you love your freedom. You now have a sister city with a bond we never wanted. RIP Lance Cpl Joshua Witsman