Dear editor:

I am writing this letter on behalf of the family of Mr. Barry Sherwood.

Barry passed away on Monday (June 18) and his funeral service was held on Thursday, June 21, 2012, at 2 p.m.

Barry was a very decorated Marine and also served our country in the Vietnam War. This past Thursday during the funeral procession to the gravesite many members of my family felt that he was dishonored.

One of the first instances was as family members were leaving the funeral home. For some reason, there became a gap in the traffic from Wallis-Wilbanks to the square. The officer on the square left the intersection not knowing there were other family members waiting to go out onto the road. Due to failure of communication with the city police my brother and sisters were almost t-boned at the intersection.

Another instance occurred at the LaFayette square when a family member pulled over, got out of his car to stop traffic again due to the officer leaving before all family members were able to come through.

Finally, at the intersection of Highways 136 and 151, the sheriff’s deputy who was there to stop traffic didn’t even bother to get out of her car to salute him as he passed by. Many family members stated that she appeared to be texting on her phone.

In saying all this it may not seem like a big deal to many people. There were many family members that came from out of state to pay their respects to him. They could not comprehend how a man with so much honor and valor could be disrespected.

On a positive note the Marines did an amazing job at the gravesite. Thank you from the Sherwood family.

A suggestion for the police department is to have an officer in front of the procession and one to follow up the final car to have the communication needed for safety.

Thelma Brown, LaFayette