Thousands honor Green during funeral procession

The Mississippi Press ^ | 01-20-2008 | Cherie Ward

[mpackard]

GAUTIER -- Traffic halted and businesses shut down on U.S. 90 as Jackson and Harrison counties paused Saturday to pay tribute to fallen soldier Maj. Michael Green.

Green, 36, was killed Jan. 7 in Afghanistan by a roadside bomb.

The Gautier native was buried with honors Saturday at Biloxi National Cemetery.

Green's funeral procession departed from First Baptist Church of Gautier and was met with thousands of residents lining U.S. 90 from Gautier to Biloxi.

More than 50 Patriot Riders on motorcycles led the way for the funeral procession of Green's family members and friends.

[mpackard]

From what I can gather the Freaks from Westboro either weren't there or the family was so sheilded from them that no one saw them. I wonder if you can say enough about the Patriot Guard. As I stood along the procession route and watched the PGR ride past in perfect formation I was struck that these men continue to serve honorably. I'm humbled at their dedication and they inspire me to give more.

[Old Sarge]

PGR PING!

[pollywog]

I stand and salute you Major Green. Thank you for giving your life for MY freedom!!
Polly and family

[realpatriot]

I was there.

Dreary and cold day.
Very somber.,
Very sad.

[Mr. Lucky]

One of my son's best friends from high school died in Afghanistan a year ago. The young soldier's funeral was held on about as miserable a day as one could imagine; about thirty-five degrees, raining to beat Hell and a stiff wind. The Patriot Guard Riders gathered from all over the state and lined the sidewalk for blocks, each bearing an American flag for at least an hour before the ceremony until the last mourner left.

These are truly honorable, dedicated men.

[blam]

God Bless Major Green.

[L98Fiero]

“I stand and salute you Major Green. Thank you for giving your life for MY freedom!!”

Seconded. When I get a bit disillusioned and consider sitting out an election, I think of gentlemen like Major Green who made the ultimate sacrifice. In my personal opinion, not voting does great men like this a real injustice. The very least I can do is take part in the democratic process men like him give so much to defend.

[Dick Bachert]

[Dick Bachert]

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_WDrbbtaO0E

[mpackard]

I was delighted (if that’s the appropriate word) to see so many out in this dreadful weather. I was in OS in front of Walmart to make certain that there were going to be people all along the procession route, I needn’t have worried, I had nearly 50 people in my line of site and apparently there were many folks all the way into Biloxi.

[mpackard]

That, my friend, is the best post of the day.

[ops33]

Thank you for posting the link. My only son is currently in basic training at Ft. Sill. His brother in law is finishing up his training for his second deployment to Irag.
I am very proud of him but at the same time fearful. I did not try and discourage him from his choice of enlisting. On the contrary, I believe serving in the military is an honorable calling and we all owe our country some service. But I’m still a little scared for him.