Completed Mission Statement for SSG Greg N. Riewer, 01, 03, 04 April 2007
01 April 2007 Escort Mission:
SSG Greg N. Riewer arrived at Fargo Jet Center's hangar, Fargo ND, at approximately 12:30pm on Sunday, April 1st. As the weather had changed to extremely dangerous, I was amazed the number of PGR that were able to make it. Don Anderson, RC, has the waiver sheets so I am not sure of the count but there were approximately 30 PGR attending. Our heartfelt thanks go to all of you who made that effort. We did a Flag Line outside of the terminal to greet Greg’s Family and an Honor Flag Line in the Hangar to greet Greg. Our Escort Mission to the Detroit Lakes, MN Armory with an Honor Flag Line, then continued Escort to Furey Funeral Home, Frazee, MN for Greg’s final stop of the day.
The Frazee VFW opened their doors and hearts to welcome us after the day’s Mission was complete. We were greeted with “thank you’s” coffee and treats.
03 April 2007 Honor Flag Line:
Seven brave souls stood the Honor Flag Line for SSG Greg N. Riewer’s arrival at Sacred Heart Catholic Church, Frazee, MN for the visitation ceremony. Our Escort Mission was canceled. It was cold with high winds to bring the wind chill factor down significantly.
04 April 2007 Honor Flag Line:
Honor Flag Line was set up at 11:35am for SSG Greg Riewer’s arrival at Frazee High School, Frazee MN. Our Escort Mission was canceled. After the arrival ceremony, we went to the Frazee VFW and again were welcomed with open arms and a luncheon consisting of many hot dishes and treats. At 12:45pm, 3 Flag Lines were set up at the entrances for the mourners and held until 2:45pm. Flag Lines were taken down for about ½ hour for PGR to go to the Frazee Event Center for warm up coffee, which was greatly appreciated. At approximately 3:15pm, as requested by the Family, an Honor Flag Line of all PGR was set up to surround the Hearse departure area to shield the Family and Coffin from Media as they departed the Funeral Service. As soon as all Family boarded their bus to the Grave Site Ceremony, our lines broke down, loaded in buses and proceeded to the Grave Site. Entrance Flag Lines were established and the balance of PGR formed Honor Flag Lines at the Grave Site. Upon arrival of all mourners, the entrance Flag Line joined the Honor Flag Line and we held our posts until all Family departed the Service Area. We had 50 PGR posted to the Lines.
The Frazee VFW again welcomed us following the Service with hot dishes, treats, and beverage.
Mission Problems to be aware of for future Missions:
Weather, Weather and Weather:
Recommendation 1: When groups of individuals are traveling long distances and Weather may be a safety factor, the traveling group should have 2 individuals able to communicate with 2 individuals at the destination site. I was warned by text message, voice message and multiple calls to cancel our cycle ride from Detroit Lakes to Fargo but because we were in a building with no cell phone reception, I did not get the messages. We had to abort the cycle Mission after traveling 8 miles.
Recommendation 2: Do a last confirmation of Weather prior to leaving your site.
Time Lines:
The OIC for the Military portion of the Funeral Service made changes to the time frame for different aspects of the Service.
Recommendation: Build a good relationship with the Funeral Director and CAO. You must check/recheck and final check with the Funeral Director for each stage of the Service to verify times and locations. Have daily talks with each to see if any changes have occurred. Remember, they are planning the Service and may not remember that you are also in need of the information changes. We did have an unusual situation where there were more than one entrance being used for the Service and where we were told the Family would arrive turned out to be the wrong entrance. Fortunately we did have PGR at the entrance the Family entered but not in the quantity that would have been preferred.
Flag Lines:
RC or ARC’s should view each site where Flag Lines will be placed. I was able to have the Funeral Director take me to the Cemetery to view the Service Area to have first hand knowledge of where the Hearse would park, Family would stage, and where the mourners would stand. Also ask where the Military Units will be staged, I.E. VFW, American Legion or other Honor Guards. Without that knowledge, Flag Lines could be placed in an inappropriate position.
LEO’s:
Confirm with LEO’s where you need assistance for road blockage but if the Mission changes, remember (oooops) to call them back that assistance has changed or is not needed.
The PGR recognizes the following individuals and organizations for their invaluable assistance:
Casualty Assistance Officer, SFC JR Dodge, for answering my tons of questions.
Preston Eidenschink, Funeral Director of Furey Funeral Home, for his excellent
assistance in coordinating all stages of the Patriot Guard Riders’ tasks within his
Funeral Service.
The Soldiers of Company A 2/136 CAB Detroit Lakes Armory
Becker County Sheriff, Tim Gordon and his force
Ted Anderson, Anderson Bus of Frazee for donated bus for PGR transportation
Fred Daggett, Daggett Trucking, Frazee for providing parking for PGR
Detroit Lakes Police Chief, Kelvin Keena and his force
Detroit Lakes Fire Chief, Jeff Swanson and his force
Frazee Police Chief, Mike Lorsung and his force Frazee Fire Department
Minnesota Highway Patrol Clay County Sheriff and his force
Fargo Police and Fire Department Moorhead Police and Fire Dept.
Dilworth Police and Fire Department Glendon Police and Fire Department
Hawley Police and Fire Department Lake Park Police and Fire Dept.
Audubon Police and Fire Department Frazee VFW and Auxiliary
Frazee Restaurant Frazee Event Center
Fargo Jet Center staff and those I forgot to mentin!
My personal Thank You! Don Anderson, RC, Detroit Lakes Sector and the
Leadership of Minnesota Patriot Guard Riders without who I would have been
lost. You know who you are and I thank you for your guidance.
A very special Thanks to:
The Hearts and Souls of all Patriot Guards who were here or with us in spirit to support our Mission to Honor SSG Greg N. Riewer and his Family.
Mission Complete.
Respectfully, David J. Woodward, ARC Detroit Lakes MN Sector |