Lamh Foistenach Abu!
Posted on 11/30/2010 6:57:34 PM PST by lovesdogs
Staff Sgt. Juan Rivadeneira's funeral was held today in Hollywood FL. He was killed by a suicide bomber in Kandahar.
Today I had the honor to stand with the Patriot Guard http://www.patriotguard.org/ . They provided flags and instruction in how to best honor our fallen soldiers. The ceremony was very sad but uplifting in an odd way.
One of their Harley riding members had traveled hundreds of miles to honor the soldier. I think he did not quite understand the power of FL sun beating on his head for all of those miles. He passed out and hit his head on the brick walkway right after we were called to attention. Fortunately there were many deputies on site and he will be ok.
But back to the funeral. Great big grown soldiers were in tears. Yet we held our flag line. His mother came out and our hearts broke. A mother of a different soldier joined us and broke down at the prospect of another deployment for her own son.
This was an emotional day with lots of twists. Holding that flag line when I really wanted to sit down and cry was hard. What that family had to deal with was crushing.
If you have the chance to volunteer with the Patriot Guard, try hard to join them. It is an experience that you will never forget.
God Bless the Patriot Guard Riders and thank you, lovesdogs, for being there today. I’ll bet there were some American Legion Riders on the line too.
Lamh Foistenach Abu!
Salute to you, lovesdogs and to your fellow Patriot Guards.
It was my pleasure to be there. The horrible price the family paid for our freedom was something I can never repay no matter what I do.
My husband and I had the privilege of representing our son who was still serving in Iraq at the funeral for his best friend.
The procession was about 4 miles, took more than 45 minutes, and was lined the entire way with proud citizens of that community who wanted to honor that fine young man.
At one point there was a very elderly veteran standing and saluting each flag on each car that passed by. We passed an elementary school and all the children were lining the street, young football players wore their uniforms as Jon was a football player in high school.
You are right, overwhelmingly sad and yet inspiring and uplifting at the same time. It changed me. I can’t say exactly how, but it did.
Thank you for the PING, Conor..
Thank you too, lovesdogs, for being there today.
I have been on over 30 missions like this, and it breaks my heart every time.
The comfort that our being there brings the families, is worth every minute of the time spent doing this.
Also worth it, is keeping protesters at bay, and sometimes the media.
Joining the Patriot Guard is far and away the best and most touching thing that I have ever done.
You don’t have to have a motorcycle to join!
You can ride in your “cage” (car).
I am a Cage Captain up here in Maine.
You can also be a big help by providing coffee, water, snacks or what have you to the riders.
I know it is greatly appreciated!
Thank you again, lovesdogs.
God Bless,
Ms.B
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