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Patriot Guard Riders Forum
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blackhorse66 
Posts: 1821
GA. POW/MIA Information Coordinator / VA Hospital Liaison / Sr. Veteran Services Ride Captain
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| 08 May 2008 5:37 PM |
 Alert
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Mission Complete Report:
On Tuesday night I was running a little behind due to traffic conditions on I-75 and getting more and more concerned that I would not make my own NLT posted staging time at the funeral home. As I arrived just at the posted time I was relieved to see, I believe 5 scoots and one cage waiting.
We immediately set the flag line in the arch way of the funeral home that was getting way to familiar? I can't remember if this was our third or fourth trip to this funeral home.
We set the flag line, and after several of Jim's riding Brothers and Sisters came out from paying their respects to Jim and the family they joined our flag line.
I met with Jim's wife Sarah and mentioned to her that if there was anything she needed or wanted from us besides what had already been planned, to please let me know.
We maintained the flag line for the next two hours as visitors came through the flag line to pay their respects. Five minutes prior to breaking the flag line I went to Sarah and informed her that I would be breaking the flag line down and would see her the next day for Jim's service. She and several others thanked us I started to leave the room. For some reason I turned to Sarah and asked her if it would be OK if we could come in and pay our respects as a group. She agreed so I went and rounded everyone up and we went into the funeral home. We placed ourselves in a semi circle around Jim's coffin, I called everyone to attention, we all saluted than departed the room stopping to pay our respects to the family who had lined themselves up at the door.
I returned back to the funeral home early on Wednesday only to find another service going on. I did manage to pin down the director and we finalized the plans for the rest of the day. Then went to get something to eat hoping to meet up with some of the returning PGR members.
I returned back to the funeral home and noticed that the earlier funeral service was just finishing up and getting ready to head for the cemetery right down the street. Not wanting our members and those from Jim's group to arrive at the funeral home while the other service was going on, I placed myself in the parking lot of the big church off to the side of the funeral home. As the riders started to arrive I waved them down so they would not go into the funeral parking lot as the other service was departing.
Members started to arrive and I lined them all up and explained what was going on. In a short time the funeral home parking lot started to empty of vehicles. We left the other location and as a group we headed for the funeral home. As agreed with the funeral home director he allowed us to chevron the scoots in front of the funeral home facing the street. Jim's bike would be placed in the center of the arch way in a place of honor and we would be there to guard it.
The flag line was set, and about 10 minutes prior to the service we were ushered into the funeral home and asked to place our flag line between the visitation room and the chapel. We set the flag line on either side of the room and down the hall way. This was so that we would have a flag line for Jim and the family to pass through as they entered the Chapel. After the last family member entered the chapel, we stored the flags and followed everyone into the Chapel, passing three Army Soldiers in their dress Blue's and looking sharp.
The service was very emotional and got even more emotional when Doug Hanney, Jim's best friend did Jim's eulogy quoting some of the post from the PGR confirmed mission thread. After Doug finished I approached Sarah and presented her with a PGR flag that I had flown over the four corners of Georgia over the past year, saying that I know that Jim had probably traveled the same roads to the same missions. As has become a tradition at our Veteran's funerals, I presented Sarah a little doll dressed in an Army Uniform with a Mission Complete pin attached to it. I explained the significance behind the pin, and told Sarah that Jim's last mission had been completed. A salute was rendered and I went back to my seat. Two of the Military walked to the front of the room stood at attention, as taps was played and everyone stood. The flag was folded and presented to Sarah and the service was complete as was our mission for the day.
I want to thank everyone who attended this honor mission for a truly Great American, Husband, Father, and Grandfather. Including all of Jim's friends who stood with us. I want to thank A. Keith "B-Bomb" Smith and the staff of the Smith Funeral Home for once again helping us provide for the last wishes of Jim, his family and friends.
Lastly, Thank you to the Barron family, friends and to everyone who attended Jim's service for asking PGR to stand for Jim and all of them.
There was once again a difference made in yet another American Hero's family. Not to mention ours.
Larry Klein
Veterans Service RCIC
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Larry Klein / Eagle 1 (US Army Retired DAV)
Vietnam W/11th ACR (Blackhorse), 1966-67
CP 1-404-379-2200
GEORGIA PGR....PART OF IT....PROUD OF IT
I WAS A SOLDIER + + I AM A SOLDIER
I WILL ALWAYS BE A SOLDIER
"DYING FOR YOUR COUNTRY IS NOT THE
WORSE THING THAT CAN HAPPEN, BEING FORGOTTEN IS."
REMEMBER OUR POW/MIAs
UNTIL THEY ARE HOME / WHAT EVER IT TAKES / HOWEVER LONG IT TAKES / WHATEVER THE COST.
Life is toooo short to sweat the small stuff. all we can do is take on the things that we know we can make a difference in. Do the best we can and hope that someone steps up to take our place when we leave this world. Hoping that we have helped to make it better for all.
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