MISSION COMPLETED ...... MISSION SUCCESSFUL

Any short notice mission allows little to no planning time or worse yet time to change your existing plans to accommodate a mission, but you know you must try. Now add a Friday evening, a day after horrendous rain storms, bad traffic jams, cold, dark and winds. I could only speak for myself and wife when asked “how many members are you expecting?”, I can only guarantee two... As we arrived 45 minutes behind our schedule I breathed a sigh of relief to see a bike parked in the lower end of the lot, now I know there’ll be three of us.

We started setting up and more bikes and cages started to arrive, I was smiling into my bones. I left instructions and entered the Funeral Home to introduce myself personally and to inform them the PGR are arriving. The FH staff were completely open and Thankful for our appearance. I also met Capt. Davises children who thanked and welcomed me (us). I returned to the members and gave a quick overview and expectations meeting.

Before our lines were completely set Mrs. Davis and her brother-in-law came out and started to Thank everyone, she said her husband would be so proud to know we were there, he knew what the PGR did and would have shaken all our hands. She shook many hands herself.

I accepted her praise and offered our condolences and thanks. I also asked her if she would accept a presentation and salute from the formation a little later. Mrs. Davis smiled and told me she would be proud and happy to do so, she asked if  7pm would be good, I agreed.

The FD told me he didn’t want our motorcycles parked in his lot, I expected that to be negative until he looked me right in the eye and said “would you have them move right up on the sidewalk in front of his property so every passing vehicle could see”, Yes sir and Thank You.

Our Flag Line was set directly in front of and opposite the main entrance. We started with about 16 members and grew to 41 in ranks and 16 motorcycles parked in front. Yes I think we did Capt. Davis proud. Our youngest was an 11 year old young lady to some of our old coots (I’m one) close to 60. When our ranks swelled I split the formation into a Gauntlet facing each other and holding fast.

The time was moving nicely, guests were stopping by and asking who we are, why? Some knew us and offered thanks, Press was represented by a TV News van and a Print media car they both remained all evening. My praise to the PGR who refused to be sucked into an interview but remained cordial and polite, Name, Location, and To Honor Our Hero, anything else :see the big guy over there”. We all knew it’s not about us.

Approaching 7pm I entered the FH and waited while the Navy detachment changed the Silent Guards set a-stride of the cremains, standing at Solemn Rest, like Parade but with hands crossed in front and heads bowed. Way to go Navy...

I stood quietly approximately 10 feet from Mrs. Davis and waited. I could hear the buzzing of comments i.e.; Flags of Honor, Honor Guard, Biker friends, Wonderful and so on, Yes, we did make an impression. I’m kind of hard to miss, the 270 lb., 6’4” guy wearing leathers in a room of suits and dresses, Mrs. Davis spotted me and asked “Now?”, I nodded the affirmative and she announced to her guests, “I’ll be right back, I’m going to visit the PGR!”, She took my extended arm and I led her out to the formation.

Calling the formation to attention I then ordered to close ranks. I presented Mrs. Davis with a “Mission Accomplished” pin and offered her our Deepest Condolences and most Sincere Thanks for allowing us to participate in the ceremonies, We then rendered a final salute. She was very much a Genteel Woman who in the midst of  all the commotion accepted our offerings and thanked Us...  She also invited us in to ceremonies after the viewing. She returned to the FH with her family and we reset the line.

The last half Hour is the toughest, time seems to slow, the temperature was dropping and the wind was picking up, the cold started to bite through. It was about then that I was approached by 2 sailors who had just come off the guard detail, they asked who and what we are... Some explanation later this young sailor thanked me, I said no Thank You, well this bounced back and forth a few times until I asked him to trust me, and he said OK and I led him into the center of the Gauntlet. I then told the formation that this sailor is thanking me for what I’ve done, “tell him what I’ve done” the answer came back, “nothing”, “Who’s doing something?”, “He is?”, “So what do you say?”, and the Formation all said Thank You to him, with a wave of his hand, a grin on his face and a tear in his eye he walked away  (he’s scheduled for deployment in January). Now he gets it, We are here for him...

At the base of every flag stood a Human Being, a Patriot, an American, a PGR... Thank You so much for your attention, time and persistence. As we stand together we are forming a foundation which proudly holds our flag high.

Captain Ed Davis, U.S. Navy, Fighter Pilot, POW – 7 ½ Years, Survivor, American Hero

You will be remembered Sir.