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Patriot Guard Riders Forum
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STG1(sw) 
Posts: 190
St. Paul, Mpls, MN, USA
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| 27 Jun 2008 5:01 AM |
 Alert
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MN PGR - we were requested to do a mission for the re-interment of James Rhame by his wife Mary and their four daughters. James Rhame joined the Navy when he was 17 right out of Stillwater High School, Stillwater, Minnesota. He was on the USS Ticonderoga Carrier Air Group 5 - one of the first air craft carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin at the beginning of the Vietnam War.
James passed away suddenly in 1995, at 51 years of age. His wife Mary said, "This was such a shock to all of us. At a time like this, a person doesn't always make the best or the right decision. There was pressure to have him buried with his grandparents and this is what I did. I knew right away that I had made the wrong decision in not burying him at Fort Snelling. As you know, it just takes the right timing for changes to happen. I feel that burying him at Fort Snelling will bring him the honor he deserves and will bring me closer. I know in my heart this is the right thing to do."
After the re-interment at Fort Snelling National Cemetery with full military honors and many members of the Patriot Guard in attendance, SE Metro Ride Captain John Thompson (better known as "Indian John") received the following note:
Dear John,
My daughter Christina was so moved by the attendance of so many "Patriot Guard" members at her father's ceremony (James Rhame) that she was moved to write this poem. This poem is her gift to you and all the "Patriot Guard" members for your dedication and commitment to the veteran community. Please forward with her deepest gratitude.
Thank you,
Mary
VETERANS "ANGELS"
The FREEDOM they have to ride and play,
these men and women choose Fort Snelling this day.
Bikes and cars that's how they arrive,
with Honor, Dignity, Respect and Pride.
They stood so still on this Special Day,
with their Presence known in a wonderful way.
What a beautiful sight to drive upon,
ALL standing in honor one by one.
There must have been thirty those ANGELS I say,
as we lay down flowers and begin to Pray.
Memories come back that are so deep,
I hug you in Thanks and start to weep.
Consoling words from a Guard in my ear,
make all my tears soon disappear.
The MISSION they have is to family and friends,
while VETERANS are honored from beginning to end.
Beloved VETERAN'S and HERO'S
In God's Hands they'll be,
Their Service Honored by Guards
May They Rest Peacefully.
Passion and Commitment in their hearts they carry,
rain or shine whatever's necessary.
Who are these unselfish Men and Women you ask?
The "MINNESOTA PATRIOT GUARD" who have a task.
So please SALUTE them
As you see them ride,
with
"HONOR, DIGNITY, RESPECT and PRIDE."
Dedicated to the Men and Women of the "Minnesota Patriot Guard"
Written by Christina Mondry-Rhame
In Loving memory of my Father James Warren Rhame
US Navy-USS Ticonderoga-Carrier Air Group 5
© 6-17-2008 |
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John P. Thompson III "Indian John"
S. E. Metro Ride Captain MN-Patriot Guard
STG1(SW)(PJ) US Navy 1981-1997
St. Paul, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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STG1(sw)
Posts: 190
St. Paul, Mpls, MN, USA
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| 27 Jun 2008 6:01 PM |
Alert
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Mission Report: James W. Rham US Navy
"This mission keeps giving!"
This mission started after a long day with 4 send offs in St Paul, that in itself is quite the event. just ask those that were there!
We arrived at the briefing and started to set the flag lines when I was called over to a new member, introductions were made to Mary, Christina and 2 grand kids, this was there 1st Welcome Home (if not there 1st mission) then I was informed that Mary would like the MN-PGR to honor James at Fort Snelling National Cemetery. gave condolences, found out James was Navy, let Mary know I was Navy. Got a little information regarding dates ect, and said YES that it would be our honor to stand for James.
Now it gets interesting, we find out James died in 1994...........my mind is racing did I jump the gun on the commitment? as we find out James never had his Military Honors, Things just happened to fast. through time Mary met Chaplin Morris and decided she wanted to move James, and bring him home to FSNC. much to the families dismay, time moves on.
Now the connections:
US Navy..........
USS Ticonderoga CVA-14
I had Pre-Commissioning orders for the USS Ticonderoga CG-47
Served in the Tonkin Gulf,
and I could see and feel Mary's need to do this for James and to find peace for herself.
So I again said YES, and exchanged some contact information.
As we were walking to the Flag line Mary asked if we had any extra Flags. I normally have a few but that morning I had layed the Indian down, on the way to the first send off. I wasn't sure what I had in the van. Pulled out 2 more American Flags and 2 Small Flags.
lined up across the Drive where the Bus would stop and helped the kids get situated with the flags. some more conversation while waiting for the Bus.
Fast Forwarded.........
I didn't hear from Mary for about a week, so I figured I would follow up and see if there was a date for FSNC yet.
Rcvd this Email:
We met on June 6th in Roseville. I was with my daughter and her 2 daughters and another granddaughter. We stood in line with you at the Roseville Armory.
You said that it might be possible for the MN Patriot Guard to escort/stand at my husband's reburial at Fort Snelling. If that is something that might be possible I would feel honored.
Please feel free to give me a call to discuss this request.
Perfect timing, worked things out to meet at FSNC, informed Mary could not guarantee any number of PGR members. Planed weather permitting a escort and a Flag line.
Asked Mary to Email a small BIO that she would like to share with our members, so that we would know, who we were Honoring.
Rcvd BIO:
Stationed on board the USS Ticonderoga, CVA-14 In the Tonkin Gulf beginning of the Vietnam War.
Mary J Rhame, Wife James 28 years, and 4 daughters,
James parents died when he was very young. He was moved from foster home to foster home so this was actually his first "real" family and the longest he was ever in one place. James had a love for God, his country, his family and his Harley "Davidson" that is. James was on the way home on August 19, 1995 and collapsed while driving his car. He had an aortic aneurysm. He was able to pull over to the side of the road and then just died. He was 51 yrs of age.
This was such a shock to all of us. At a time like this, a person doesn't always make the best or the right decision. There was pressure to have him buried with his grandparents and this is what I did. I knew right away that I had made the wrong decision in not burying him at Fort Snelling. As you know, it just takes the right timing for changes to happen.
James Rhame joined the Navy when he was 17 right out of Stillwater High School, Stillwater, Minnesota. He was on the USS Ticonderoga Carrier Air Group 5 as this was the first or one of the first air craft carriers in the Gulf of Tonkin at the beginning of the Vietnam War.
"I feel that by burying him at Fort Snelling will bring him the honor he deserves and will bring me closer. I know in my heart this is the right thing to do".
Any assistance there might be will be so appreciated. The day of his funeral, it poured so there wasn't a bike to be seen or "heard". This would be such a great honor for not just being a veteran but a "Harley" rider as well.
With gratitude,
Mary Rhame
MISSION DAY:
Set 4 Bikes in Assembly lane 4, to await the family, while the rest of us were in Assemble lane 3.
Mary and family arrived, she introduced me to all and I presented her with a rose on behalf of the MN-PGR. at that time Mary gave me a card and I thanked her and put in my vest pocket.
The chaplain was in training and this was his first furnal, but came highly recommended by chaplain Morris.
FSNC then took the MN-PGR to set up the flag lines, and Mary asked if that was all for James, The escorts said yes!.
The procession pulled up lead by the 4 Bikes, Honors were rendered, the family took there positions in the shelter as John was brought of the Pick-Up Truck and placed in the place of honor.
The Gun Salute and Taps were rendered, followed by music and words from the Chaplin, (could not hear his words but could see the dynamic delivery.
Mary then came around and thanked each PGR member followed by Christina, Christina broke down in my arms, and I whispered in her ear "John is now home with his fellow Hero's ans is looking down upon us with a smile and is at peace" she then went and thanked each PGR member there.
Mary asked all the MN-PGR to come close into the shelter, where she thanked us all for being there, and proceeded to give the MN-PGR a Blessing! (I which I could add the words here) Mary could have been a preacher.
We then went back to our places and a finial song was played.
Mary again came over to me and asked "what do we do next?" I informed her what normally happens, and Mary asked , since John was a had Harley if we could do a Pass on the Bikes and make some noise. I thought about it, and the time of day, traffic flow, at FSNC ect. and said that we could come back by on our way out.
When all the Bikes and cages came around, Mary and the whole family was lined up in the street at attention and saluting us as the MN-PGR came by. (I don't think there was a dry eye riding those bikes)
The PGR stopped by the Flag poles and FSNC monument's for the mission briefing, where I read the card and found 100.00 from Mary.
Some of us then went to a Welcome Home for a another group of soldiers in Roseville.
I have talked to Mary and Christina, recd E-mails, and Walked with the Gold Star families with Mary.
"This mission keeps on giving" [b] [/b] |
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John P. Thompson III "Indian John"
S. E. Metro Ride Captain MN-Patriot Guard
STG1(SW)(PJ) US Navy 1981-1997
St. Paul, Minneapolis, MN, USA
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