On Monday Oct. 16 2006 I rode my first mission as a FL Ride Captain. My Co-Ride Captain Everett “Old Cop” Butler and I arrived in Fort Lauderdale on Sunday staying in the same motel. Guess it’s something about the tag Old, But Old Cop and Old Jumper hit it off well, both feeling that if you’re a half hour early your late. So Sunday afternoon Old Cop and I along with Teardrop drove down to check out the lay of the land,  Idella (my GPS) said the trip was 10.8 miles with a drive time of 16 minutes, she was good right on time.  

For those of you who have never been to Hollywood, it is just South of Fort Lauderdale near the beach, with lots of quaint little shops and even more traffic, not to mention two roundabouts...always fun in a group. Old Cop and I found the staging area, it was a bit small and congested but workable, the drive to the church was only ½ mile not too troublesome...darn roundabouts, but we felt pretty good about the situation. Back to Fort Lauderdale and dinner, a good evening of getting to know a brother better.

Old Cop  and I met for Breakfast at 0600hrs...only four hours till staging, and decided that to be the first there we should leave the motel by 8:45 A.M. Staging was to be at 1000 only an hour and 15 minutes to make that 16 minute drive...Idella didn’t know about the South FL traffic on I-95 at 0800 hrs on a Monday Morning...If you have never done it, try not to...not a fun place to be. Our 16 minute trip grew, what with the traffic and malfunctioning rail road gates to 45 minutes. Upon our arrival we were pleased to see several bikes there, some from the FL Patriot Riders and The rest of the PGR’s. I don’t have an accurate count as to how many of each was there, but Ron Liberty and I spoke and decided that with the group present, about 20 bikes and three cages that we should work together with one briefing and one group riding over together,  I held the briefing and at about 1010 it was kickstands up. Liberty stopped traffic in the circle to allow us out of the staging area. We were without LEO escort and as luck would have it the back half of the column was stopped by a traffic light.

I was told that the family would arrive at 10:45. As we were arriving at the church, I was somewhat surprised to see six motorcycle patrolmen from the local LEO escorting the family into the parking lot at 10:20 AM. Scramble to get the Flag Line in order, thankfully the members know what has to be done and are more than efficient in getting it done. We were joined by the local Police and Fire Dept. in the line as they stood along the walkway into the church. There was to be no grave side services because Spc Burke is to be cremated. I spoke to CAO, Sgt Smalls about presenting the plaque and pin, we decided it would be best to make the presentation after he gave Mrs. Paulutte the flag in the chapel. He is to nod to me and I come forward to make the presentation. I sat thru the service with misty eyes, hearing about this young man. As the side door was opened and the bugle played Taps, the only sound to be heard was that of a church full of people trying to stifle a tear

This was the church that his family has attended for many years and the location of his baptism 20 Years ago. It was indeed a very moving experience. After the service the flag was presented and as I was getting ready to step forward, Father started a prayer, the Bag Pipers started playing, and Spc Burke was being moved toward the door. I thought it would not be a good idea to lay down in aisle to stop the

procession, so with a tear I saluted this hero as he passed by. CAO came by and motioned for me to follow him. He said that they had changed the order of things and somehow we were overlooked, but not to worry he would handle it. He escorted me out to the parking lot where the family was gathered to see Spc Burke loaded into the hearse. He introduced me to Mrs. Paulette and I was able to make the presentation, hoping that tears would not stain the plaque. I also presented her with a mission accomplished pin and explained the significance of it. As I said in the beginning of this report, this was my first mission as a Ride Caption, God Grant that it will not be necessary to make another.