A proud Patriot Guard member - thanks for posting!
You and me both brother.
Thank you for what you do to honor and protect the families of the fallen ones.
A Vietnam vet myself, I was furious when that Westboro hate group came to Lubbock to protest at the funeral of a second son lost overseas (Afghanistan and then Iraq). I decided to drive two hours to Lubbock for the 4 p.m. funeral and pay my respects to the man. It ended up being one of the most moving events in my life.
The church was about half full with local police and firemen attending as well as friends, family and folks like me. The police presence at the back and entrance were there to make sure no one got inside to disrupt the service but there were none.
As the service went on with messages by the pastor and a eulogy by the serviceman’s father, the father asked those who had served in the military to stand and be recognized. I was one who did so and then he requested that all former and current military gather at the altar behind the casket. I found myself behind the casket with the grieving widow on the other side. One of the military called us to attention and then order “hand salute” as taps was played through the church speaker system. I was shaking and barely kept the tears from flowing as the widow was crying inconsolably.
At the conclusion of the service as we left the church, we were flanked on both sides by the Patriot Guard with American flags. The occasion remains one of my most vivid memories.
Thank you. This group escorted my young, fallen nephew this morning. I couldn’t be at the funeral and found the pictures on the internet and was so thankful at the presence of this remarkable group of individuals.