At the funeral home, the family was joined by volunteers from the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR), who came to honor and pay their respects to a veteran, "standing for those who stood for us."
Some of the PGR went ahead to the Miramar National Cemetery, preparing to honor the arrival of their fellow veteran by standing a flag line. Others escorted the procession as it made its way to the cemetery, American flag flying from some of the motorcycles.
At the committal shelter the volunteers, mostly veterans, formed another flag line to honor their brother.
This they did in supporting the family and (in this case) the Navy Honor Guard.
Not one of the PGR volunteers was acquainted with the veteran they were honoring this day. There were no connections; no links to serving on the same ship at the same time. The only shared experience was having served our great nation.
Indeed, it was not a ordinary, routine, or average day for the family. Nor was it an ordinary, routine, or average day for the PGR members. In fact, for this Patriot Guard Rider it was far from it. How can one not be touched by the raw, gut wrenching emotion displayed by a grandson? Hearing his anguished sobs and seeing the obvious pain. The tears of the family members, with their voices catching during comments about their loved one touched us all.
No, it was not an ordinary, average, or routine day.
It was an important day, as strangers voluntarily came together to honor a fellow veteran. As they do countless times during the year. The race, ethnicity, gender, age, cultural, and other socially prominent identifiers used by all too many to separate us matter not to the PGR. The only identifier that matters is that one who is or has served honorably was being laid to rest.
Tomorrow there will be another mission, with another following on Tuesday. And another, then another, and another.
No routine, average, or ordinary days.
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