Mission...completed

I completed another PGR mission today. It may have been the coolest thing I've ever done. This one was special in lots of ways. PFC Joseph Terrell was killed in action in Korea, November of 1950. His body was returned to the US in 1993, I believe, and he was identified in March of this year. He came home to Dallas on Tuesday, and was laid to rest today. He had been gone for 60+ years. His ID was made thru a DNA match to his 89 year old cousin. That alone makes it special. But let's add in this...my uncle, Charles Miles, was killed in combat in Korea, September of 1950.

My mother's brother was only 19 when he was killed. Mom says that he had enlisted when he was 18, and had gone to Georgia for basic training. While in Georgia, he met and married a woman, and had a child. I don't know if he ever saw his son. Mom says that he was in Korea for only about a week before he was killed. He wrote several letters home, even though he was not there long. Mom says one of his letters said that when his unit shipped out, he and a friend overslept or something, and they ended up arriving at the front after the others. Charles was sent directly to the front lines, and was dead within a few days. He was brought home to Oklahoma, and Mom said that there was lots of support from the Army during the entire time.

Both of these men gave up their lives long before I was ever thought of. The decided to serve their country, to put themselves in harm's way for all of us...past and present generations. Little enough I can do is to try and honor their sacrifice with a little time out of my schedule to recognize what they gave up, and to provide a little support for their families. I wasn't there for Uncle Charles' funeral, but I was there for Joseph Terrell's. I was there not only to honor Joseph, but to also honor Charles.

Today, I got the elusive two-for-one...

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...

Change of heart

I went to the funeral of a soldier today. No, not anybody we know. My aunt posted a message on that the funeral for a young soldier was being held in Waxahachie this afternoon, and the folks from Westboro Church were planning to demonstrate. I had heard of some instances where bikers would show up at services that the Westboro folks had targeted, and simply line up next to the protesters with engines running, drowning out the chants. I figured, the baby has a nice, deep voice, so why not ride down and see what's going on. When I got out to the bike, it was misting, but i decided to go anyway. Actually, I was kinda hoping for a run-in of sorts, and I wasn't going to miss the chance.

I rolled up on the parking lot, and I was pleased to see lots of people, and lots of bikes. This was going to be good. I parked and walked up to the building, looking for the Westboro folks. The driveway from the street to the Waxahachie Event Center was lined with people, standing in the cold and wind, holding American flags. The crowd was largely silent, and I couldn't hear or see anything that even remotely looked like a protest. As I stood watching the crowd, a lady waked up to me and said "If you want to go inside, you can sit with me." I wasn't sure what she meant at first, but I said "Sure", and turned to follow her into the service. As we walked, she explained that she had driven in from Ft Hood. Her husband was deployed in Kuwait, and all of her friends were suddenly 'busy' and could not come with her. She had spoken with her mother earlier today, and found out that here younger brother is to be deployed to Afghanistan in December. She obviously didn't want to sit thru the service alone, and I actually felt honored to sit with her. I suppose there was another purpose in store for my trip

Inside the auditorium, there were few empty seats. Lots of military, and lots of just plain 'ol folks that came out to honor the fallen soldier. It was a pretty somber atmosphere, as you might imagine, but it wasn't overpowering. A little about the soldier. 23 years old, with a young daughter. He had been active since 2008, I think, and was an exemplary soldier. One of his buddies from his unit described him as a natural leader, always concerned with the 'new guys' even though he was a newbie himself. His parents work at the local high school, and students by the dozens turned out to support the family and pay their respects to the fallen soldier.

As I sat in the service, I thought about what it takes to volunteer to serve in the armed forces. These folks don't have to join, there hasn't been a draft for a long time. There's a better that zero chance that they will be placed in harm's way at some point. They are working to protect freedoms for lots of people that they don't know and will never meet. Many of the very people that they are risking their lives to protect don't particularly like them simply because of their chosen profession. Yet, they are willing to go where nobody wants to go to do the jobs that nobody wants to do, and they do it with pride. Now I'm not saying that the armed forces don't have their share of bad apples. Pick a group, and there will be good and bad. But, all in all, these are a group of pretty special people, and they deserve our support. If you ever get the chance, tell a soldier, a sailor, or a marine "Thanks", and say it like you mean it,

I don't know if the Westboro folks ever showed, I never saw them. What I do know is that I went down for one reason, and came back with an altogether different reason for going again.

NYE 2010

Alright, boys and girls, here we are, New Year's Eve. Birthday of my eldest offspring. One of the most iconic days on the calendar. A day when the economic downturn has been temporarily suspended, especially at the nail salons and liquor stores. 2010 was supposed to be the year we make contact (Remember? sequel to '2001: A Space Odessey'? OK maybe us band geeks are the only ones). I made contact with a few things that I had just as soon rather not have made contact with...like my 50th birthday! Then again, I got to make contact with my motorcycle, so that's a good. Oh well, the big wheel just keeps on rollin', don't it?

Many of you will be out among them tonite, celebrating the impending change in the calendar with friends old and new.A few things to remember. Excessive use of alcohol may cause you to think you are speaking softer that you actually are. We aren't spring chickens any more. I killed off about as many brain cells as I dare to when I was in college, so I riding the ragged of success, as far as that goes. Don't ask any really hard questions if you want an answer right away. Oh, don't get me wrong, I'll answer it, it may take me a few minutes.

Just watch yourselves out there. Next year is shaping up to be one where we'll need all the help we can get. It's gonna be a really wild ride, I can feel it. Lots of change on the horizon, new challenges and opportunities (we used to call them problems).It's a brand new year, never been used. Can't wait to get it all started. Just be careful out there tonite. Looks like it's gonna be a year when we need all the help we can get.

So here's to a great 2011, and more success than we can handle. Oh,couple things more. I have no special hangover cures, and don't call me for bail money...I'm all tapped out.

Much love...

Radio Ron is on the air...

OK, boys and girls, I've been told that one of the best exercises in keeping your mind sharp is to write. So I write.



I've decided to go back to school. Looking at an MBA program from a local school, and I hope I have enough discipline to see it thru. My company has a tuition reimbursement program, so if they'll pay for it, why not? I'll keep you posted.



I took vacation the week between Christmas and New Year's in hopes that we'd have some good riding weather like we had before Christmas. So far, no good, and I am going nuts! It was a perfect day on Sunday, but I went to Oklahoma to visit the mama, and unfortunately, you can't put a 3-year-old on the bike. Relax, I'm only kidding...maybe.



The motorcycle is a wondrous invention. So great to be out on the road, hit that throttle, lean into the wind, and it's Katie-bar-the-door! Me and the baby (I call my bike 'the baby') have come to somewhat of an agreement. She'll mind her manners and keep me from killing myself, and every once in a while, I let her stretch her legs. But not too much. The thing has way more go-fast than I'll ever need. Still, sometimes I want to try...



I'm beginning to run out of words, so I guess I'll sign off. Tune in again next week.


Love each other...

Slacker...

Wow...has it really been that long? I guess so. I've really got start writing on this thing more, else why am I taking up space? Fairly pretentious of me to think anybody wants to read what I have to say in the first place. Oh well...good for my soul anyway.

It's been a hard few weeks. Lots of stuff going on at work (as usual) and even more at home. I really don't even know how it happened, but we ended up buying 4 cars in 5 months. Crazy story...

Mid-May, I bought an old Honda Accord for Lillian, my daughter, to drive to work. Nice little beater of a car, and she liked it fine (car #1). A few weeks later, the Volvo wagon I was driving started having issues, so the wife insisted that I get more reliable transportation, so I got a little Scion (Toyota) to drive car #2). Rocking along just fine, until mid August, Lillian was in a fender-bender on her way home from class one day. She's fine, the other driver is at fault, his insurance will pick up the repair tab. Next up, the wife's diesel VW starts having issues. Into the shop it goes, and I am informed that the turbo is out (the same turbo I replaced 2 years ago for about $3500), and it will have to be replaced...again. Did I mention that the car was paid off in June? No go on the repairs and my better half decided not to throw good money after bad, so she drove home a new Jetta (car #3)

Next day, the body shop calls about Lillian's wrecked Honda. Too much money for such an old car, so it is declared a total loss. While waiting to settle with the insurance company, Lillian finds a car that she thinks she can afford, and here we go again (car #4)! Just how am I supposed to pay for all of this is still taking shape. I suppose every cloud has a silver lining, however. I settled with the insurance company on the Honda, and got the damaged car and $1700. The neighbor's son works at a body shop, and they were able to repair the Honda AND give her a new coat of paint for $1200. Middle child Chris, who just got a job, now has wheels, so everyone is good to go.

Anybody know of a large bank with little security?

It's been such a long time, I think I should be going...

I've been away for a while, but I'm better now...

No, I haven't been in rehab (you people, really!). I have just been really busy. I can't believe that this year is over half over. Mid-August, and I just got used to writing '2010' on my checks. Wait a minute, I don't write checks...well, you know what I mean. Lillian starts classes at UT-Arlington next Friday. Some of my friends that are teachers have already started back. Baseball is winding up the regular season, and football is starting to ramp up. It's still hot, but then again, this is Texas. Bummer, because I need to drop about 25lbs, so I bought a bike. It's too hot to ride before it gets dark at night, and I have to be at work too early to ride in the morning. Guess I'll have to drink lots of water and just suck it up.

Anyway, I just wanted to say that I'll be back here on a much more regular basis, so don't forget about me. I'll be cranking out the good stuff again pretty soon. Stop back by every once in a while...and thanks!

Love each other,

RD