Fallen Hero, and a Lesson Learned

Those of you who take the time to read my ramblings my have guessed that the Big Fella is rather Patriotic. I get all misty when I hear the Star Spangled Banner, or America the Beautiful as sung by Ray Charles. In fact for a time that song, America the Beautiful by "Ray Ray" became a Friday night tradition for my number 2 daughter, "The Bear" (just a nickname, not a description) and myself. As we were en route back the Palatial BigMan compound from The Bear's horseback riding lessons, a Radio Talk show I like to listen to hosted by Mark Levin, would at that time play the song in tribute to all of the Americans serving in the Armed Forces. In fact we became able to sing along and not miss a word, even the "Can somebody help me?" thrown in by Ray. I ended up buying a Ray Charles Greatest Hits collection just to ensure I had a copy.

On to the purpose of this post.. I am, as I stated, Patriotic, so I have volunteered to be a member of the "Patriot Guard Riders (PGR)". This is a group of mostly military veteran motorcyclists that provide support to the family of deceased Active duty and retired military. Thursday I received an email from the Patriot Guard about a "Mission" for Saturday June 6th, Sunday June 7th, and Tuesday June 9th, This was to be for Lt. Col. Mark E. Stratton II USAF. Saturday was to be the Viewing at a local funeral home, Sunday afternoon a service at his local Church, and Tuesday escort to and honors at Arlington Cemetery. Because of prior commitments I was only going to be able to make the "Flag Line" at the funeral home on Saturday. A "Flag Line" is when the PGR personnel stand in a line at attention holding full sized American Flags, rendering honors to the fallen.

All of the BigMan's family were off doing their thing except for my number 3 daughter, number 4 child,"The Caboose" (just a nickname, not a description). The Caboose has just turned 12, she is a dancer and takes four different dance classes, they have a recital coming up in the next few weeks and Saturday morning was the "Studio" dress rehearsal, and the BigMan sat in a vehicle for 3-4 hours while The Caboose went through her various rehearsals.. Anyway it was just The Caboose and I Saturday afternoon, I told her what I planned on doing and she enthusiastically stated she wanted to go.

Upon arrival at the Funeral home we met up with other PGRs and were briefed. We then collected the Flags, Caboose and I borrowed two because I had not done flag line duty before, just motorcycle escort, and got in place in a line just outside the entrance to the funeral home with the other 7 PGR's.

As the Family began to arrive, an older lady I took to be fallen hero's mother walked down the line with help from a gentleman. She was barely able to speak, and she whispered "Thank you, Thank you" with tears streaming down her face. The Widow, two young children and other family members then approached. They walked down the line and shook each of our hands and thanked us for being there. The young widow was carrying one of her children, a son, about 2-3 years old. She also had tears streaming down her face as she thanked us. I glanced sideways at the Caboose and she to was crying as the Widow held her hand a little longer than others, and thanked her for being there. The Big Fella, I have to admit, upon seeing this also had a "Misty Moment"....

Two other incidents also cause me a "Misty Moment". One was when a gentleman who was at least 80, wearing his American Legion dress uniform. He stopped, pulled on white gloves, marched smartly up to the first Flag in the line, executed a salute. while holding the salute executed a right-face and marched down the Flag line.

The other was the same action carried out by an Air Force Colonel in dress uniform. As he marched down the line, I was able to see that his eyes were welling up with tears.


I believe that this was an experience that the Caboose will not soon forget. I hope she will remember it, remember the young Widow, and always hold those who sacrifice, fight and die for us in her heart..