Due to a few website changes where videos and photos had been hosted, I am having to undergo the daunting task of relocating everything to a new host. I think I finally found a place that they can hopefully stay at for good this time (and remain free)
Cpl Dustin Lee's Final HomeComing Video from Brian Rich on Vimeo.
I've finally finished a video that takes place from the time we arrived in Stonewall until Dustin's arrival back home. I have been working on it off and on since coming back to Chattanooga. It never got any easier editing this together. (one of the reasons it took so long to finish)
Lisa and I shot most of the footage. The footage we shot has not been seen by anyone but us until. I was going to edit it all together before showing it. Some came from WTOK at the request of the family. Thank you WTOK for your coverage of the funeral. More footage came from Key Field, we thank them as well. There is an audio soundbyte from MS101 from the morning of Dustin's arrival back home. I hope everyone likes the video and never forgets how we all felt that week and still feel. The patriotism and love of everyone that day was tremendous.
The video starts off in Stonewall as everyone is out showing their support by putting out flags, the Stonewall VFD, was practicing for their Detail as Jerome I drove through town. The video transitions to that night, then the next morning as we traveled to Meridian via Highway 11. Lisa filmed this section as we drove by the Patriot Guard Riders, truckers and the many law enforcement vehicles that where to be a part of the procession. It was a long heart wrenching ride knowing what we where going to Key Field for- Not to welcome Dustin home with hugs and warm words but to a tearful homecoming of Dustin's flag draped casket. There's no way anyone can ever prepare themselves for such an ordeal.
Once the plane arrive carrying Dustin, we make our way back up Highway 11 through Enterprise, Stonewall, and to Quitman. Then one last trip back to Stonewall to Dustin's final resting spot.
30 comments:
i believe its the best one. sitting here crying in my patrol car. thank you
lee
It's beautiful. I know it must have been incredibly hard to do being family and compiling all the shots together yourself. My family's prayers continue to be with yours.
Courtney Swanner
QHS '04
this video is amazing, thank you so much for this. myself and many others from albany werent able to be there for his actual funeral and it means so much to be able to see all this.
i cant help but still cry everytime i see any of this footage.
-Lynsey
That was very touching!! Just some times you cant hold back the tears. The video was awsome!!!!
Jerome Moore
i really enjoy this video. nice. its amazing how everyone came together. like courtney said, our prayers are with you and your family!!
Jessica Lee
QHS '04
This is great can't wait to get the complete version. Me and your mama are setting here crying.
love you dad
Thank you so much for this. Hope you don't mind if I post it on my blog for others to see.
thank you all for your comments. I know that by being a part of something, you sometimes don't see everything around you. But from seeing it from different angles and point of views, one can see so much more and the video still didn't capture everything, But I hope that it gives everyone a sense of being a part of something very special even if Dusty's friends from all over the country could not be there. I know that everyone was there in spirit and their prayers.
If anyone wants to link to the video, please feel free, just reference it back to Dustin's Blog.
Thank you again Mom, Dad, friends.
Brian Rich
Wow...that is all that can be said. I still can't believe we are watching memorial videos about him. It seems like yesterday we were camping out without any worries. I love you Dusty... I just want to say thanks for giving all of us other Marines a perfect role model of a HERO... Semper Fi buddy....
LCpl Harper Adam J.
USMC
Thank you Adam.
Brian
An incredible tribute to an even more incredible young American Hero and son of Mississippi.
Thank you, Brian.
Dusty's name is on my PGR signature as one I ride for in his memory. I put it there the day we rode the mission to bring him home from Meridian and the next to escort him to hallowed ground.
That signature will always bear his name.
Although I never met you, Dusty, I shall never forget you.
Semper Fi, soldier.
Farewell, friend.
thanks for this video. And I am not ashamed to shed a tear when I think of Dustin. I am another PGR member that rides in the memory of CPL Dustin Jerome Lee and I shall always ride with the American Flag to honor his service and sacrifice. Let's keep the memories alive. til then... JD
What a moving video.
I too am a PGR that attended the services. Dustin's name is displayed on the front of my bike and he rides with me.
We Will Never Forget.
Brian, if you find the time; send me an email: mharris@watthour.com
A friend sent me an e-mail about Dustin's family getting to adopt his K9, Lex. The e-mail had a link to this video. I must say that I just arrived to work and I've been crying since I opened the e-mail. My thoughts and prayers go out to this family. God Bless!
Sarah, Savannah Ga.
Wow I Sit Hear And Cry And Will Keep Yall In My Prayers In Hope Yall Can get Lex. Please keep us All Updated
I did not Dustin, but he looked like the happy go luck type of guy that would do anything for anybody. It so sad that he lost his life at such an early age. I just wanted to say thank you to his parents for letting him fight for our freedom and my prayers go out to them.Last, but not least I want to say thank you to all of you risk your life for our freedom. I will always support you guys!! Prayers and Thoughts from NC
thank you for sharing I have posted a blog post in my blog concerning this event I saw on the news today and I have dedicated it to the Lee family and also linked your blog for the photos and story. thank you for caring enough to share.
www.my.opera.com/zenya/blog
I think it would be great if Mississippians would take the time to thank Representative Jones (NC) for helping this Mississippi family. If you are interested, his address is: Representative Walter B. Jones, 2333 rayburn, HOB, Washington, DC 20515-3303. He has certainly made this a happier holiday season for this family.
Wow, I cried thought the entire thing, was so wonderful to see the support for this great hero. God Bless them all. From the Mcphail Family GPGR
What an amazing tribute to a great American Hero! Thank you, Crpl Lee and the Lee Family, for your service and sacrifice for our country. Sissie..AL PGR
This was an awesome video. I read through the entire Memorial site and I was in awe at the outpouring of genuine love and support from the grateful Americans as CPL. Lee took his last ride. But this is the South and we here honor and thank or Military Sons and Daughters. This old soldier was honored to be afforded the opportunity to personally thank Dustin, and his family, and the people of Mississippi for your support of what this Country stands for.
Brian, please contact me - I am just across the State Line from you in Walker County, Georgia. You can e-mail me at pesteward@hotmail.com . Thank you for again showing me that America still loves and cares about our troops.
Phil Steward, Captain (former) U.S. Army, 2nd Infantry Division
Very moving video. I didn't know Dustin but after reading his and Lex's story on CNN his family will be in my prayers this holiday season. Dustin made the ultimate sacrifice for his country and it will never be forgotten. May the Lee's find comfort in Lex and may Lex find comfort in them as well.
Thank you so much for sharing this video with us so we can honor your son. And congratulations on adopting Lex. Dog are amazing creatures and Lex will carry a piece of Dustin with him forever. My wish for you is that you all find some measure of peace. :)
Hey Devil dog
I served with marines onboard USS Saipan, I retired in 1996. I think what you created for Dustin and Lex was fantastic. Although I did not hear about it until Friday when Lex was retired. I have since seen the video you created and I thinl all of our fallen need a visual memory of thier funeral so as they are never forgotten. My oldest son lost a close friend in Iraq recently Lcpl Jeremy Tinnel. We aslo have window decals for Jeremy on our cars.
Thank you all again for your wonderful comments. I am so glad the video has touched so many people. I wanted everyonoe to see it from our eyes. What we saw that day was very humbling. Our small towns in MS represented how all towns should honor or heros who fight and die every day for us.
I apologize for not answering a lot of comments or emails. You can imagine how busy we have been the last few weeks. I have a lot of emails to get out and people to contact, plus we will be traveling a lot. I will start to answer emails after the Christmas Holidays.
Thank you all again for your thoughts, your prayers and your support.
God Bless you all,
Brian Rich
I saw the CNN Article, and it was good to see some closure with Lex being able to be adopted by your family. I was in the surgical company that received CPL Lee and Lex. God Bless...
http://rniniraq.blogspot.com/2007/03/not-just-humans.html
My heart is truely with you. Im just sitting at work trying to fight the tears, Im so glad you finally got Lex home with you were he belongs... Donna, Memphis TN
I just sat in front of my computer sobbing. I don't know what I would do if I lost one of my brothers and my heart aches for you and your family. I hope Lex will bring you some comfort. May God bless you and bring you peace.
Awesome video. Its Christmas morning and I just found out about this story. I cant put into words the emotions I have felt going through this entire site. I will include you in our prayers over dinner this evening. Thank you for your sacrfice and God Bless you and your family and especially Cpl Lee. Semper Fi brother.
Sgt Farmer J.D.
USMC 1983-1992
Desert Storm Vet
I work for a national news program who has been working on this amazing story. I am reaching out to ask you if it would be ok for our show to use some of the footage on your blog. Please contact me as soon as you can. Thank you for your time and hard work.
Kindest Regards,
Vivianna
E: vkaramanis@kingworld.com
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