In-Class Editing

a. PANORA, Ia. – This small town welcomed home one of its soldiers Friday, but instead of jubilant well-wishers, there were 525 mourners who packed every corner of the United Methodist Church, and 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.

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

c. To the rest of the country, Army Spec. Michael Mills was one of 191 Americans killed in the war, he was one of 28 people killed Feb. 25 when an Iraqi suicide bomb exploded, but 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, and his funeral Friday provided a somber contrast to the joyous reunions held for returning troops throughout the country.

PANORA, Ia. – Mourners flooded the streets and churches when 23-year-old Army. Spec Michel Mills' body was returned to his home town. Mills was one of 28 people killed in a suicide bombing Feb 25.

The United Methodist Church was filled with 525 grievers, and the streets played host to streams of cars between the church and the West Cemetery outside of town. There were flags at half-staff, there were red, white and blue ribbons tied to flower sprays that surrounded the altar and there were tears in many eyes.

Mills had followed family tradition by joining the Army, and his heartbreaking death rings strongly throughout the 1,100 close people of Panora. The scene played a stark contrast to joyous reunions and celebrations taking place around the country.

The rest of the country may feel for the loss of Mills, but to them he is one of the 191 Americans killed in the war. But to the small Iowa town, he was a known member of a community, and one whose loss will ache for years to come.