God bless 1st SGT Ray Hamilton.

One of the things that never ceases to amaze me about the PGR is the level of compassion and the sense of urgency exhibited by our members. Those traits were on display today at the services for our Hero, 1st SGT Ray Hamilton, USN/GA National Guard/GA State Defense Force. 1st SGT Hamilton was 75 years young, and was tragically killed in a multi-vehicle accident in Acworth GA on August 13th while riding his beloved Harley Davidson motorcycle.

This mission was very short notice, and only attained Confirmed Mission status very late on Friday night. But our members responded not only in wonderful numbers, but with a sense of caring and understanding that the man we were there to honor was someone very special.

By all accounts, Ray Hamilton was a “soldier’s soldier”, a hard task master and a compassionate teacher. His exploits during his military career, which began in 1952, are the stuff of legend. He was said to be able to command the attention of enlisted men and officers with equal distinction. In fact, it was told by many today who served with him over the years that not one officer 1st SGT Hamilton ever encountered throughout his career was ever quite the same after meeting him. He struck fear into the hearts of many, regardless of rank, but also endeared countless numbers of American sailors and soldiers with his quick wit, unending generosity, and sense of absolute patriotism.

Our day of honoring 1st SGT Ray Hamilton began with an 0845 staging at the Winkenhofer Funeral Home in Kennesaw GA, where 18 PGR bikes, 3 cages and 24 members gathered. Included were 4 new members, two of whom served with our Hero in the Georgia State Defense Force. After a new member briefing and overall mission briefing, we assembled with flags at 0945, both at the entrance and across the front of the venue, facing the heavily traveled Rt. 41/Cobb Parkway thoroughfare so that the thousands of motorists who passed by would know that an American Hero lie in state.

The number of lives this man touched quickly became apparent, as caravans of vehicles began arriving for the two hour visitation from 1000 to 1200, and the 45 minute memorial service that followed. The entire 1st Brigade Medical Detachment (MEDDET) of the Georgia National Defense Force was in attendance.

At the conclusion of the services, our members reformed the flag line near the hearse and were called to present arms as our Hero was brought out for his solemn journey to his final resting place. With ample LEO escort from Kennesaw, Cobb County, Woodstock and Cherokee County, our 45-minute long procession to the National Cemetery in Canton began. With one cage and 14 bikes out in front, and 4 flagged PGR bikes flanking the hearse, we led a procession of nearly 100 vehicles through the back roads of Cobb and Cherokee counties until we reached our final destination, a full 25 minutes in advance of the scheduled 2pm interment service. A close friend of 1st SGT Hamilton commented, “Ray would approve of our early arrival – he was never late for anything his whole life!”

Promptly at 2pm, our escort arrived at Interment Pavilion 1 – a place PGR members know all too well. We formed our flag line, and rendered an appropriate salute to our Hero as the casket was slowly and reverently taken from the hearse to the pavilion for final prayers and the presentation of full military honors, including the folding of the American flag, the firing of a stirring and rapid three round volley, and the soulful playing of taps. I was honored to quietly present the Hamilton family – Ray’s sister and 4 brothers, and his 5 children –with a condolence book on behalf of the entire PGR.

The service ended as it started, with those who were touched by 1st SGT Hamilton during his life sharing a hug, a tear, a story, and ultimately a hearty laugh about what he must be thinking of all of this “nonsense” on his behalf. Among the more memorable comments shared with me after the service was an observation by MEDDET Commander Maj. Jim Moore, who said that two things are true today that were not true before Ray died. One, if he went to Heaven, the Lord’s legion of angels is standing straighter than ever. And two, if he’s in the “other place”, he’s creating a whole new definition of the term “hell”, cause as nasty as it might be, they ain’t seen nothin’ yet! Such is the life and legacy of 1st SGT Ray Hamilton – a legend, and an American Hero.

Many thanks to all of our members who were able to be there for our Hero and his family. Special appreciation goes out to Lisa Jan for her very fast creation of a beautiful condolence book, to JayDub and KROD for their assistance throughout the mission, to Books for making sure we had enough flags, to Eddie Lummas and his staff at Winkenhofer Funeral Home for their cooperation and leadership, and to the officers of the Kennesaw, Cobb County, Woodstock and Cherokee County police departments for their outstanding protection and escort to the Canton National Cemetery.

A final personal note of thanks to PGR member Cindi Brown for bringing this Hero to our attention, so that all of us could be further enriched by getting to know about this incredible man and the sacrifices he made his whole life for our freedom.

God bless 1st SGT Ray Hamilton. Stand down soldier, your mission is accomplished.