Paying respects

I don't know how many bikes showed up, but overheard others say it was between 80-100.  On an otherwise quiet Saturday in Ramona, California, a (really) small town east of San Diego, California, the distinctive rumble of Harley-Davidson motorcycles filled the air.  

As distinctive as was the sound, equally noticeable were the countless American flags, large and small, proudly flying from the bikers.  (Contrast this with a high school in Iowa that apologized where its students wore patriotic attire to a recent basketball game.)  Looking at the bikers, military insignia, patches, and service ribbons adorned their vets.

These bikers (more on them later) were gathering on a Saturday morning to pay their respect to US Army soldier PFC Simmons.  They lined their bikes up by the mortuary, preparing to escort PFC Simmons to the church where services would be held.  And then on to the cemetery where he would be laid to rest with full military honors provided by the US Army.

The bikers were predominately military - active duty, retired, and veterans.  From oldest to youngest, the ages spanned five decades and multiple wars.  Some are known to have been awarded the Purple Heart medal for wounds received in combat.  Regardless, they came together in solidarity to recognize a brother none had met.

Looking around, I did not see one elected official.  I did see active, veterans, and military retirees giving of their personal time to ensure this soldier would be shown the respect he earned as a member of our nation's military.  

The elected officials may not think it was important enough to give of their time, but these military (active duty, retirees, and veterans) certainly did.

After Taps and a final salute, some of the bikers gathered to break bread at a local establishment.  During the routine post mission banter, serving as a release from the high emotions of standing for the fallen, one retired sailor exclaimed that when Taps played, there wasn't a dry eye to be had.

20 somethings and 70 somethings shared a moment this Saturday.  Several hours of their time contributed to paying their respect to a fellow warrior, gone before his time.  All the while cognizant there are other fellow warriors currently going in harm's way.

With less than one-half of one percent of our nation serving in uniform, all too often their sacrifices are unknown to the majority of the nation.  Today these bikers made sure the family of Army PFC Griffin knew his sacrifice was not and never will be forgotten.