My Very First Mission
We woke up before the sun, which is a huge thing for me, as we all know how much I do love to sleep. I had exactly an hour and a half of sleep, but that's all right. One of women that is in Soldier's Angels had given Chris a t-shirt to give to me. I thought that was sweet. I wore it. We all loaded into the truck with the Metatron safely strapped to the trailer in back. It took us two and half hours to drive to Galesburg.
We were the first to arrive at the meeting site, which was a Harley Davidson store. The owner had been gracious to let them all meet there in his parking lot. We unloaded the Metatron, Kade wiped it down. Chris brought out the flags.
About a week ago, I kept getting phone calls from the governor of Illinois. I thought it was just because of the law that was about to be passed, but also the governor was making sure Chris would be there. And he was. The governor presented Chris with the Illinois State flag for all his work with the Patriot Guard. I'll be honest. I did not vote for Blagojevich. But I do have respect for the man. He's going to the funerals, too.
Kade would be holding the State flag today. Chris handed me the camera. They all started rolling in. I took loads of pictures. Bikes were everywhere. Vets were everywhere. Chris introduced me to a man named Joel, with his son standing next to him. His son, that had just returned from Iraq a few days before. I talked to a little guy named Brock. I told him that was a fine name. Hehe, well I think so given that it's part of my name. His older brother introduced himself. He's Cody. He's four. He was proud that he'd get to ride in his dad's truck with a flag that had lettering "Never Forget". I told his mother he was a cutie.
I met lots of Vets. I wasn't able to catch all their names, so I apologize for that, since I can't mention you all by name. Chris introduced me to a man named Max, affectionately called "Top" by many of the riders. Max had been in Viet Nam in '66 and '68. Max had his van with him. On the side was a big sign that read "Patriot Guard Riders". He had flags on the top of the van. In the back of the van were about fifty American flags all cradled there, awaiting hands to hold them. He didn't buy those flags. They'd all been given to him from other soldiers and what not. Pretty amazing, I think. Max said I'd be riding with him; he was to lead the procession.
I also met Linda. She worked at Wal-Mart. She loves red white and blue. She made a wall honoring soldiers at Wal-Mart. The families come in and give her a picture. She puts it up there. It's her little tribute to them. She also made it possible so that Wal-Mart donated bottled water for today's ride. She is a very good woman, sweet as pie. She is also somehow related to Max, but both of them jokingly declare it's not so. She handed out pins to everyone. On this pin is a picture of Matt Maupin, who had gone missing in Iraq in 2004. He has yet to be found. She made these pins herself. Amazing woman.
Pretty soon, there were even more bikes rolling in. I was going picture crazy, snapping off as many as I could. (It would only be later in the evening that we would find out that only three of those pictures came out. I am heartbroken, as I wanted to have pictures with this entry. I wanted to show the faces of the Patriot Guard.)
Chris debriefed the riders on today's mission. On any other day, the little town of Galesburg might have seen all these bikers and thought their town was being overrun. On any other day. But not today. Today's mission was a bit different. Galesburg had invited the Patriot Guard to ride in their Memorial Day parade. Max organized this. He told me later, that he'd thought it would help get the word out on exactly what the Patriot Guard stood for.
We all loaded up, the riders in line formation. I looked out the rearview window to watch them turn the corner out on to the street, all together, all in a line. It was so spectacular. It nearly took my breath away. We rode to the parade meeting site. Again, we were the first there. We were lined up on a residential block. Some of the residents HAD to know we were going to be there, as they had home-built bikes on their lawns. Pretty soon, a huge humvee parked directly in front of us. Three soldiers got out of it. I hurried my little butt over there to snap pictures. Max hurried over to me. "I asked them if they would ride in front of us! And they agreed! Won't that be great?" Everytime Max told me something, I couldn't help but smile.
That's when I saw Andrea Zinga making her way down the line. I recognized her immediately. We had met her at Park Days at Southpark in Quincy. It was a local fair sort of thing. She didn't recognize us, Chris didn't recognize her. But I did. And I told her so. We all spoke for a few minutes, before Chris went back to talk with the soldiers. Andrea and I spoke for awhile there. She told me I must be really proud of him.
"I am proud of ALL of them," I said, as I looked at the Vets, scattered throughout various lawns, all engaged in conversations of their own.
"It's amazing what they do. Why do you think they do it?" she asked.
"You may support the war. You may not support the war. But these men won't just sit and do nothing. They will always DO," I said.
"Yes, I suppose you're right. I suppose that's why Cindy Sheehan does what she does. To sit around and do nothing would drive her crazy, maybe," Mrs. Zinga said.
"Maybe," I said.
We spoke for a few minutes more. I told her about Brian and Amy both in the Navy. She looked at me incredulously, that I might have two kids old enough to be in the military. I pointed out Kade, who was wearing a Jonathan Kyle Price tshirt, picking dandelions on the curb. I showed her the Metatron with the Angel holding baby Logan. I told her about Logan. She looked at Matt Maupin's pin.
"Thank you. I am so glad you do what you do," she said.
"Oh, don't thank me. Thank THEM," I said, pointing to the Vets.
She left to go to her own parade car. We all lined up to get ready. As it turned out, Kade tried his hardest to hold that flag, but the Illinois State flag is much bigger than he is. Chris came to me in the van and asked if I would hold it instead. Wow. We made our down the street, people lined up on both sides.
"I'm glad I made that sign," Max said, "Now people will know who we are."
He no more got that out of his mouth, when the onlookers got up out of their lawnchairs and began clapping. Old ladies rushed to the curb to snap pictures. One man stood and saluted, never breaking form until we had passed.
"Max, I think they know who you are," I told him.
"This is bringing to my eye," he said.
The Patriot Guard revved their engines to acknowledge the onlookers. They clapped harder and cheered. In all my years of Memorial Days, in all the time I spent looking at parades myself, never have I gotten the chance to truly appreciate why we have this day. And it wasn't until I got to see this day through the eyes of the Vet sitting next to me that it all hit me. I couldn't answer Max, as I was getting a bit choked up myself.
After the parade, the VFW read the names of fallen soldiers from their town. The Patriot Guard held those flags that were in Max's van. They lined the side with those flags saluting, while the names were read. It was truly amazing.
Afterwards, they all dispersed. Max led us to Wal-Mart so Chris could thank the manager for donating water, and also so he could see Linda's wall. Linda took us to Hy-Vee to meet the woman that had made ribbons for the Vets to put on their bikes. She had lost a daughter to this war. She had a basket full of ribbons she had made herself to honor Caleb Lufkin, whose body is being escorted by the Patriot Guard to Galesburg as I write this. She gave these ribbons away for free. All of this, she'd done out of the goodness of her heart.
We left soon after. I went to visit my brother, who lives in Galesburg. Then, it was time to go home. As I write the close for this entry, I just want to thank all of the Patriot Guard for what they do. I want to thank the Vets for their service. I especially want to thank Linda for her work and Max. Dear Max, thank you so much for not only letting me ride with you, but lead the procession, as well. I can't thank you enough. You are truly the best of the best.
When speaking with Representative Zinga, she asked me why they do what they do. I would like another chance to answer that question, as I don't believe I got it quite right the first time.
They do it, because they are heros. The beauty of it all is that they will never admit to such a thing. They are far too honorable for that. But if you look closely you can see it. The answer to that question lies in the glimpse of their eyes when they gaze upon the flag. The answer to that question lies in the hang of their head, as wars today and long since past echo forth, as they honor their long lost brethren. The answer to that question lies in the fact that no military branch, nor race, nor creed can divide them as they unite and stand as one.
There has never been, nor could there ever truly be anything so honorable, nor a greater tribute as that.
We were the first to arrive at the meeting site, which was a Harley Davidson store. The owner had been gracious to let them all meet there in his parking lot. We unloaded the Metatron, Kade wiped it down. Chris brought out the flags.
About a week ago, I kept getting phone calls from the governor of Illinois. I thought it was just because of the law that was about to be passed, but also the governor was making sure Chris would be there. And he was. The governor presented Chris with the Illinois State flag for all his work with the Patriot Guard. I'll be honest. I did not vote for Blagojevich. But I do have respect for the man. He's going to the funerals, too.
Kade would be holding the State flag today. Chris handed me the camera. They all started rolling in. I took loads of pictures. Bikes were everywhere. Vets were everywhere. Chris introduced me to a man named Joel, with his son standing next to him. His son, that had just returned from Iraq a few days before. I talked to a little guy named Brock. I told him that was a fine name. Hehe, well I think so given that it's part of my name. His older brother introduced himself. He's Cody. He's four. He was proud that he'd get to ride in his dad's truck with a flag that had lettering "Never Forget". I told his mother he was a cutie.
I met lots of Vets. I wasn't able to catch all their names, so I apologize for that, since I can't mention you all by name. Chris introduced me to a man named Max, affectionately called "Top" by many of the riders. Max had been in Viet Nam in '66 and '68. Max had his van with him. On the side was a big sign that read "Patriot Guard Riders". He had flags on the top of the van. In the back of the van were about fifty American flags all cradled there, awaiting hands to hold them. He didn't buy those flags. They'd all been given to him from other soldiers and what not. Pretty amazing, I think. Max said I'd be riding with him; he was to lead the procession.
I also met Linda. She worked at Wal-Mart. She loves red white and blue. She made a wall honoring soldiers at Wal-Mart. The families come in and give her a picture. She puts it up there. It's her little tribute to them. She also made it possible so that Wal-Mart donated bottled water for today's ride. She is a very good woman, sweet as pie. She is also somehow related to Max, but both of them jokingly declare it's not so. She handed out pins to everyone. On this pin is a picture of Matt Maupin, who had gone missing in Iraq in 2004. He has yet to be found. She made these pins herself. Amazing woman.
Pretty soon, there were even more bikes rolling in. I was going picture crazy, snapping off as many as I could. (It would only be later in the evening that we would find out that only three of those pictures came out. I am heartbroken, as I wanted to have pictures with this entry. I wanted to show the faces of the Patriot Guard.)
Chris debriefed the riders on today's mission. On any other day, the little town of Galesburg might have seen all these bikers and thought their town was being overrun. On any other day. But not today. Today's mission was a bit different. Galesburg had invited the Patriot Guard to ride in their Memorial Day parade. Max organized this. He told me later, that he'd thought it would help get the word out on exactly what the Patriot Guard stood for.
We all loaded up, the riders in line formation. I looked out the rearview window to watch them turn the corner out on to the street, all together, all in a line. It was so spectacular. It nearly took my breath away. We rode to the parade meeting site. Again, we were the first there. We were lined up on a residential block. Some of the residents HAD to know we were going to be there, as they had home-built bikes on their lawns. Pretty soon, a huge humvee parked directly in front of us. Three soldiers got out of it. I hurried my little butt over there to snap pictures. Max hurried over to me. "I asked them if they would ride in front of us! And they agreed! Won't that be great?" Everytime Max told me something, I couldn't help but smile.
That's when I saw Andrea Zinga making her way down the line. I recognized her immediately. We had met her at Park Days at Southpark in Quincy. It was a local fair sort of thing. She didn't recognize us, Chris didn't recognize her. But I did. And I told her so. We all spoke for a few minutes, before Chris went back to talk with the soldiers. Andrea and I spoke for awhile there. She told me I must be really proud of him.
"I am proud of ALL of them," I said, as I looked at the Vets, scattered throughout various lawns, all engaged in conversations of their own.
"It's amazing what they do. Why do you think they do it?" she asked.
"You may support the war. You may not support the war. But these men won't just sit and do nothing. They will always DO," I said.
"Yes, I suppose you're right. I suppose that's why Cindy Sheehan does what she does. To sit around and do nothing would drive her crazy, maybe," Mrs. Zinga said.
"Maybe," I said.
We spoke for a few minutes more. I told her about Brian and Amy both in the Navy. She looked at me incredulously, that I might have two kids old enough to be in the military. I pointed out Kade, who was wearing a Jonathan Kyle Price tshirt, picking dandelions on the curb. I showed her the Metatron with the Angel holding baby Logan. I told her about Logan. She looked at Matt Maupin's pin.
"Thank you. I am so glad you do what you do," she said.
"Oh, don't thank me. Thank THEM," I said, pointing to the Vets.
She left to go to her own parade car. We all lined up to get ready. As it turned out, Kade tried his hardest to hold that flag, but the Illinois State flag is much bigger than he is. Chris came to me in the van and asked if I would hold it instead. Wow. We made our down the street, people lined up on both sides.
"I'm glad I made that sign," Max said, "Now people will know who we are."
He no more got that out of his mouth, when the onlookers got up out of their lawnchairs and began clapping. Old ladies rushed to the curb to snap pictures. One man stood and saluted, never breaking form until we had passed.
"Max, I think they know who you are," I told him.
"This is bringing to my eye," he said.
The Patriot Guard revved their engines to acknowledge the onlookers. They clapped harder and cheered. In all my years of Memorial Days, in all the time I spent looking at parades myself, never have I gotten the chance to truly appreciate why we have this day. And it wasn't until I got to see this day through the eyes of the Vet sitting next to me that it all hit me. I couldn't answer Max, as I was getting a bit choked up myself.
After the parade, the VFW read the names of fallen soldiers from their town. The Patriot Guard held those flags that were in Max's van. They lined the side with those flags saluting, while the names were read. It was truly amazing.
Afterwards, they all dispersed. Max led us to Wal-Mart so Chris could thank the manager for donating water, and also so he could see Linda's wall. Linda took us to Hy-Vee to meet the woman that had made ribbons for the Vets to put on their bikes. She had lost a daughter to this war. She had a basket full of ribbons she had made herself to honor Caleb Lufkin, whose body is being escorted by the Patriot Guard to Galesburg as I write this. She gave these ribbons away for free. All of this, she'd done out of the goodness of her heart.
We left soon after. I went to visit my brother, who lives in Galesburg. Then, it was time to go home. As I write the close for this entry, I just want to thank all of the Patriot Guard for what they do. I want to thank the Vets for their service. I especially want to thank Linda for her work and Max. Dear Max, thank you so much for not only letting me ride with you, but lead the procession, as well. I can't thank you enough. You are truly the best of the best.
When speaking with Representative Zinga, she asked me why they do what they do. I would like another chance to answer that question, as I don't believe I got it quite right the first time.
They do it, because they are heros. The beauty of it all is that they will never admit to such a thing. They are far too honorable for that. But if you look closely you can see it. The answer to that question lies in the glimpse of their eyes when they gaze upon the flag. The answer to that question lies in the hang of their head, as wars today and long since past echo forth, as they honor their long lost brethren. The answer to that question lies in the fact that no military branch, nor race, nor creed can divide them as they unite and stand as one.
There has never been, nor could there ever truly be anything so honorable, nor a greater tribute as that.
posted by Ari at 8:05 AM
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