PANORA, Ia. – The small town welcomed home one of its soldiers Friday, but instead of jubilant well-wishers, 525 mourners packed the United Methodist Church. Instead of a parade down Main Street, a stream of cars stretched from the church to the West Cemetery outside of town.
Flags at half-staff and red, white and blue ribbons tied to flower sprays surrounded the altar. There were tears of grief, not of joy.
To the rest of the country, Army Spec. Michael Mills was one of 191 Americans killed in the war. 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.
He was one of 28 people killed Feb. 25 when an Iraqi suicide bomb exploded. His funeral Friday provided a somber contrast to the joyous reunions held for returning troops throughout the country.
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