Editing needless words

PANORA, Ia. – 525 mourners met the deceased Army Spec. Michael Mills Friday at the crowded United Methodist Church.

Instead of a parade down Main Street, there was a stream of cars that stretched from the church to the West Cemetery outside of town.

There were flags at half-staff, and red, white and blue ribbons tied to flower sprays that surrounded the altar. There were also tears – of grief, not joy.

To the rest of the country, Mills was one of 191 Americans killed in the war and one of 28 people killed Feb. 25 when an Iraqi suicide bomb exploded.

To the 1,100 people here, Mike Mills was the 23-year-old hometown boy who carried on a family tradition by joining the Army.

Mill’s funeral provided a somber contrast to the joyous reunions held for returning troops throughout the country.