My parents instilled in me a child the value of respecting others.They understood the need of treating people with respect under particular circumstances, therefore I was raised with the same sense of purpose.

The image of a single American soldier standing to attention in the pouring rain touched me for this reason. I appreciate that the photographer of the picture realized they had to share it with the world.

It is not really surprising that the photo went viral and that people were clamoring to honor the soldier.

But what he said after being recognized was what truly demonstrated his character.

2017 July 6th was the date. Seated at a highway crossroads in Vine Grove, Kentucky, was Erin Hester.

It was there, in the pouring rain, that she saw a soldier standing at attention. After a moment of confusion, she noticed that a funeral procession was going by. He wasn’t in the procession and didn’t know the departed, yet it was this he was honoring.

Hester felt she just had to capture the event on camera. She posted her photo on social media, where it received a lot of good feedback.

“I was so completely touched by this today,” Hester posted on Facebook. As a funeral procession drove past, this soldier got out of his vehicle and stood at attention in the pouring rain. Although I normally become irritated when I see cars failing to pull over and wait for a procession, these guys went above and beyond.

I am rather certain that this is not required of soldiers per military law. The level of deference this man showed a family he doesn’t even know delighted me. Principles #respect.

Military man recognized

It was only when her message went viral that WHASII tracked down the soldier who had committed the touching deed. He was identified as Senior Army Advisor of the Tennessee Army National Guard, Col. Jack L. Usrey.

Refusing to take the credit, he said, “I also owe it to my parents, Jim and Judy Usrey, from Martin, Tennessee.” This is what they trained me to do from when I can remember.

The response to a gesture this small humbles and surprises me. I was originally thinking about how the inclement weather couldn’t be improving the family’s mood and that maybe my little deed would show them how much we care.

Watch the video below for additional story details:

Col. Usrey may try to minimize his act, but we think it’s a really powerful and classy approach to show respect.
Kindly share this post on Facebook to help us honor him.