Changing of the Guard

I completed my first 2 'missions' with the Patriot Guard Riders, one yesterday and one today. The PGR is a group that provides support and escorts for fallen soldiers, both active duty and vets. I got involved quite by accident a few weeks ago, you can check out the May 1 blog if you are interested in that story. At least check out the PGR website (patriotguard.org), free to join, and you don't even have to ride a bike ( Iron horses if you can, cages are always welcome and appreciated).

The yesterday's mission was to be an honor guard for a soldier going home to Houston thru DFW Airport. I was planning to leave work at 4, and roll over to the airport by 4:45, in time for 'staging'. Construction around the airport. Detours. Confusing signage. This ain't the right way. Fortune smiled on me, and I finally found the AA Cargo terminal. At the end of the parking lot, I saw a group of bikes and figured it was the PGR group I was looking for. As I rolled up, all eyes were on me. Buncha old guys trying to figure out who the 'young' guy was. "Sorry I'm late, gentlemen...the construction was brutal." (pause) "You're only late if we ain't here!" Introductions all around, lots of smiles, handshakes, lots of 'Welcome'. I felt part of the group instantly. I still wasn't sure what to expect out of the whole adventure, so I was a bit on edge.

We had a short 'briefing', with a little background on the soldier. This young man had just returned to Kentucky from a tour in Afghanistan. He and 3 other soldiers were headed to the airport to go home when they were involved in an accident and he was killed. He was going home...survived battle, man's greatest invention designed to separate someone from their butt, and he's killed in a car wreck on his way HOME! Just not right. The group had received a letter from an officer in his unit requesting that the PGR be present, as most of the other soldiers had scattered going on leave, and there was nobody available.

We got the the terminal, and to security, where the American Airlines folks were waiting for us. Seems that AA is big on this sort of thing, employees have formed a group to assist in these situations. At the gate, the attendant made an announcement explaining what was happening, and indicated that, if they wished, passengers at the gate could show their respect by standing while the body was loaded onto the plane. To a man (and woman), everyone in the gate area stood. People walking by that heard the announcement stopped and stood...the area shut down. We were escorted to the tarmac, standing on either side of the conveyor that loaded the body. There were a couple of soldiers that were present, and we were called to attention and saluted as the coffin slowly made it's way up the belt into the hold. There wasn't a dry eye on the team, as airport personnel, our escorts to the tarmac, and a half-dozen airport police officers stood by.

When we got back to the gate, boarding of the flight had not yet started, but everyone was still standing, the area relatively quiet. Seems that quite a few folks out there really do care, and have some understanding of the sacrifices that these young men make for us. It was really good to see a group of people that had little else in common other than being at the same place at the same time show respect at least for the moment that we were in.

The second mission was for a vet who passed away, and his family requested the presence of the PGR. In these situations, the PGR stands a flag line outside the funeral service, participates in an honor guard as the body is place in the coach, and if possible, provides escort to the burial service. It was very pleasant, but a bit cool this morning, and my position was next to a flag in the shade, didn't take too long for me to get a little cold. Nothing compared to what the folks inside were feeling, so just suck it up, Oz.

As the family and friends began arriving, we got lots of smiles and nods as we stood the line. Not much going on outside, we stood in realtive silence. About an hour in, the ride captain told us that the service was about to end, so we stowed all the flags and formed up for the honor guard. Once again, as the casket was brought out of the building, we were called to attention, and saluted. The family followed the casket, and came around to shake the hand of every rider, and to say 'Thank you'. They didn't know us from Adam, but seemed genuinely pleased that we were there.

I still don't know where this thing is going, but it's gonna be an interesting ride. It does put some things into perspective. I personally did not not serve. I have plenty of family members who did serve...my dad, my brother, several uncles and cousins all were members of the Army and Navy. Next week, I'm taking an afternoon off to attend the burial service for a soldier who was killed in Korea in 1950, and is just now coming home. My mom's brother, Uncle Charles, was killed in Korea, so this one hits a little close to home. I know that they deserve so much more, but this is what I can do to show my appreciation, and my respect.

I'll check in every so often, let you know how the lesson is going. Thank you all for coming...