tibs
05-30-2007, 09:48 PM
PGR was doing a mission for a soldier in Chattanooga. I showed up not knowing what to expect - Im not a member. Fearful the nutjobs who called the family would show up I was very hesitant to go - I have a very bad temper.
I held a flag for almost 2 hours and it was hot, but worth it seeing the family react to us as they pulled in. People would honk and wave as they drove by. I saw about 10 people on the street holding flags. Then we were asked to roll up the flags and get ready to escort. I moved back behind the funeral home and chatted with a few fellow veterans and we then went silent for the loading of the casket, and the family getting in the car. I started to choke up.
We had about 200 bikes there, over a dozen police bikes, numerous cars, and two interstates to go over. Even the Sheriff was there on his own time riding.
We started up, and out we went. What happened next had me in tears for the entire 30 minute procession. The streets were lined with people of all ages, cars stopped in the middle of the road, people saluting, it floored me. Then we got on I-75 heading to I-24 to downtown. Every - and I mean EVERY overpass was filled with people holding flags and signs thanking this fallen soldier. I was 6 bikes in front of the family and all I could think about was how proud I was to be there, and how much of an impact this had on the family. I didnt expect this. One over pass had two huge flags on it, then we moved off and to the Chattanooga National Cemetery. Two ladder trucks made an arch, and they had firemen saluting at the entrance.
The funeral had all the full honors, even the local police department had a bagpipe there doing amazing grace.
I was absoultey amazed, torn up, and floored at the support we saw. Nothing like this is on the news about the Americans honoring thier fallen soldiers - its always about the body counts or the sensationalism.
What did the local news have to say about this? They were basically whining because they couldnt video tape the funeral and the entire community had its rights denied by a bunch of bullies who stood in front of them with flags. Nothing about the thousands of people who spent thier hot afternoon standing on an overpass or lining the streets of Chattanooga honoring this hero.
Regardless of your view of war or politics, never underestimate the effect of save asses who were doing everything they could to explain why they couldnt get the sobbing mother on the 6oclock news when the family asked them to keep a distance from them and asked us to shield them by circling the entire funeral.
It was our fault they didnt get to record the family morning to satisfy thier bosses. One idiot anchor asked if the bikers were protesting the funeral - Yeah, Im sure 300 people standing in a circle with police, military, and others holding flags are protesting the funeral you morons.
In the end, I feel fortunate to be able to participate in this. I feel ashamed that the media acted this way and is making the story all about them.
I held a flag for almost 2 hours and it was hot, but worth it seeing the family react to us as they pulled in. People would honk and wave as they drove by. I saw about 10 people on the street holding flags. Then we were asked to roll up the flags and get ready to escort. I moved back behind the funeral home and chatted with a few fellow veterans and we then went silent for the loading of the casket, and the family getting in the car. I started to choke up.
We had about 200 bikes there, over a dozen police bikes, numerous cars, and two interstates to go over. Even the Sheriff was there on his own time riding.
We started up, and out we went. What happened next had me in tears for the entire 30 minute procession. The streets were lined with people of all ages, cars stopped in the middle of the road, people saluting, it floored me. Then we got on I-75 heading to I-24 to downtown. Every - and I mean EVERY overpass was filled with people holding flags and signs thanking this fallen soldier. I was 6 bikes in front of the family and all I could think about was how proud I was to be there, and how much of an impact this had on the family. I didnt expect this. One over pass had two huge flags on it, then we moved off and to the Chattanooga National Cemetery. Two ladder trucks made an arch, and they had firemen saluting at the entrance.
The funeral had all the full honors, even the local police department had a bagpipe there doing amazing grace.
I was absoultey amazed, torn up, and floored at the support we saw. Nothing like this is on the news about the Americans honoring thier fallen soldiers - its always about the body counts or the sensationalism.
What did the local news have to say about this? They were basically whining because they couldnt video tape the funeral and the entire community had its rights denied by a bunch of bullies who stood in front of them with flags. Nothing about the thousands of people who spent thier hot afternoon standing on an overpass or lining the streets of Chattanooga honoring this hero.
Regardless of your view of war or politics, never underestimate the effect of save asses who were doing everything they could to explain why they couldnt get the sobbing mother on the 6oclock news when the family asked them to keep a distance from them and asked us to shield them by circling the entire funeral.
It was our fault they didnt get to record the family morning to satisfy thier bosses. One idiot anchor asked if the bikers were protesting the funeral - Yeah, Im sure 300 people standing in a circle with police, military, and others holding flags are protesting the funeral you morons.
In the end, I feel fortunate to be able to participate in this. I feel ashamed that the media acted this way and is making the story all about them.