Not a routine Sunday

It was not a routine Sunday evening for the dozen or so  citizens who gathered at the funeral home.

While others were watching football, these patriots came together -- voluntarily -- to escort a fallen Marine to the San Diego Airport for his final airplane ride home to New York.  Shaking hands with the Staff Sergeant serving as Marine Corps Casualty Assistance Calls Officer (CACO), these patriots expressed their condolences at the death of her Marine.

For members of the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR), giving of their time, no matter when, no matter the day, is not at all uncommon.

As volunteers all, they proudly answer the call when missions are announced.  Most are veterans.  Most are bikers.  But not all.  But what each and every man and woman shares are patriotism, unbridled pride of country, and an abiding sense of duty.  Duty to the fallen, whether it is a soldier, sailor, airman, or Marine who died on active duty or a deceased veteran who has honorably served our country.

This evening, six proudly volunteered to serve as pall bearers at the small funeral home in a quiet area of a small town adjacent to San Diego, while the others raised American flags and saluted.  Once they loaded the hearse, they formed up, with many motorcycles flying large American flags.  At the signal, they began their procession down the streets and onto the freeways for the relatively short ride to the airport, where they once again formed up and presented honors as the casket was removed from the hearse.  The pall bearers executed a slow salute, touched the casket, then placed their hands over their hearts in a final gesture of respect.

Even after the air cargo personnel had moved the casket into the warehouse, preparatory to loading it on the aircraft, it seemed the PGR were reluctant to leave their brother-in-arms.  They stood, many still holding their flags, in silent tribute.  Eventually they walked to their motorcycles and departed, one by one.

Not a routine Sunday by any means.  

Americana

Americana

Staging for the Pine Valley Days Parade

Those who would want folks to believe Americana no longer exists are sorely mistaken.  All they need do is visit small town America.

In July alone, two small towns east of San Diego held parades, each of which was filled with American flags, cheering, and respect and love for our country.  No one was forced to come out to these celebrations, because friends and neighbors willingly sought out the events.

Unlike some liberal events, no one was paid to attend.  No activists were bused in from out of town, if not out of state.  No protesters drove all night from San Francisco to disrupt the activities.

Indeed, local people came out to honor a fellow patriot and combat veteran.

Wearing the straw hat in the back seat is Jack, a Marine Corps veteran of the Korean War.

Yeah, Americana is alive and well all across the country, so do not buy into the opinion of some that it is dying out.  Nothing could be farther from the truth. 

Far from ordinary

For the vast majority of our fellow citizens in La Mesa, California, it was most probably an ordinary, average Thursday.  Nothing memorable.  Simply routine.  However, for one family, the day was traumatic, as they laid to rest their husband, father, grandfather.

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.   

A hero's funeral

On this cool January morning in San Diego, under overcast clouds and in a persistent drizzle, they came together.  One by one, they gathered, seeking some shelter under an awning or umbrella.  On a normal day, the majority would be riding their motorcycles.  Due to today's inclement weather, about half came in their vehicles, with the other half braving the weather.  What, one might ask, would possess them to come out in such weather?

The grizzled veterans, clean shaven citizens, men and women alike staged outside the mortuary as members of the Patriot Guard Riders mission supporting the funeral for Major Jack Griffiths, POW/KIA, U S Army.  Major Griffiths fought in World War II and died a POW during the Korean War.  

Most wore jackets or vests adorned with patches depicting military units, the branches of the Armed Forces, patriotic phrases, and the American flag.  Army, Navy, Marine Corps.  From junior enlisted to senior officers, they gathered to honor a fallen comrade.

At the specific invitation of Major Griffith's family, including his son who last saw his father as a two years old, the Patriot Guard Riders were honored and proud to be present, even in such adverse weather.

Standing in the rain, holding American flags aloft or presenting crisp hand salutes, these patriots stood in two lines during the dignified transfer of the coffin into the hearse.  The riders then escorted the hearse and family to Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery.  There, the U. S. Army awaited and provided full military honors.  Further, Major Griffith's son accepted the posthumous Silver Star, Purple Heart, and POW Medal from the Army representatives.

Throughout, the Patriot Guard Riders stood in the persistent mist, properly Presenting Arms during the rifle volley and playing of Taps.  In a final tribute, they presented a custom made plaque, signed by all, to Major Griffith's son.

Across our nation, Patriot Guard Riders are invited to support the funerals for soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines who die on active duty, and honorably discharged veterans.  At times, members of the Patriot Guard Riders are the only ones in attendance, standing in as family for their fallen comrades.

They seek no recognition.  They seek no funding.  They volunteer their time.  They honor our men and women in uniform.  Whether it be a sunny afternoon or a cool, damp, drizzling morning, they will "stand for those who stood for us."   

Local TV news story. 

FOOTNOTE:  Looking around during the funeral, one saw U. S. Army soldiers, the U. S. Navy Chaplain, representatives of veteran organizations, Patriot Guard Riders, and the family members and their friends.  But not one elected official.  Apparently no local, state, or federal elected official deemed worthy of their time the funeral for a soldier who died a POW in the Korean War.  Their absence speaks loudly and clearly to this veteran and retired Marine.