Hero Highway

When I climbed into a car with school district social worker Jeanne Harris-Lively last week, I had no idea what to expect.

We had been talking on the phone about Michael C. Mahr and the services planned for him, when she asked about doing a "highway for heroes."

Before we were even off the phone, she went to work, contacting her supervisors, writing requests and asking local businesses for support.

She started a snowball effect - the sheriff's office jumped on board, working the route, word went out and before you know it, people were calling....asking... planning.

Harris-Lively was hoping for a good turnout to show support for Mahr and his family. She would have been happy with a couple hundred people lining the roads.

But, thanks to you, residents and veterans and employees and businesses, there was an estimated 3,000 people lining the streets of Bushnell, from Main Street to the Florida National Cemetery.

While a good number of those people were from Sumter County, some came from other areas to show their support.

Families parked pick-up trucks in their driveway to show their. One woman didn't have a flag, but she opened her patriotic umbrella, vets stood at attention and saluted. Young sons stood on the slope of the road and stood tall as they held the American flag.

One group of motorcyclists pulled along the side of C.R. 476 and unfurled a large banner of the stars and stripes.

I cried through the entire route as I videod and I've cried everytime I've watched it since - for the sacrifice and gift of Michael C. Mahr and his family and for the support offered by the people.

You were all amazing.