Part 2,3,4 Final Mission Report; Escort and Visitation, and Funeral

Saturday afternoon close to 20 PGR members arrived at Moody-Davis Funeral home to pay our highest respects to PFC Marion. We escorted our Hero from the funeral home about 5 miles to Piney Grove Church where he would rest for visitation and our final farewells on Sunday. The majority of us stayed for an incredible showing from the community later Saturday afternoon. I would have to estimate that possibly 800-1000 members of the community lined up outside the church, which wrapped down the sidewalk and snaked around the parking lot. Although visitation was not supposed to begin until 6pm, folks were there at 4:30 when we set up our flag line. The doors opened an hour early, and the droves of guests began filing in. In the 2 years that I have been a member of the Patriot Guard, I have never witnessed such an outpouring of love from a community such as Dobson and Surry County. I was honored and touched very deeply to see such acts of love and respect for a fine young hero and his family. At 7:30pm we could see the end of the line. And we stood down for the remainder of the evening.

Sunday afternoon, we joined back together at Piney Grove Church to pay our final respects for PFC Adam Marion and his family. We had a showing of 28 motorcycles, and 3 cages. We again, set our flag line an hour before the service, and the community began filing in immediately. By 1:30, the sanctuary was full, and by 2pm, the overflow room was packed, and community members and dignitaries filled the hallway in order to pay their final respects to Adam.  PFC Marion was buried behind the church in Piney Grove Cemetery. With bagpipes playing, the entire community of Surry County and surrounding counties joined in saying goodbye and thank you to another Great American Hero who gave his life defending the freedoms that we all enjoy everyday.

I was approached after the service by Adam’s aunt, and Keith Arbuckle and I were invited into the fellowship hall to meet with Adam’s parents. We presented them with a Patriot Guard Challenge coin, of which they were very moved, and of course, hugs ensued. I am once again astounded by the strength I witness from the parents and families who lose their loved ones in battle. I will continue to pray for each and every one of them, and I pray that peace, understanding, and God’s love will continue to bless them and lift them up.

Thank you to those of you who took the journey with me over the 3 part mission of which I had the honor of overseeing. Your dedication to our troops and their families is recognized and appreciated. I have the utmost respect for each and every one of you, and without you, my job would be most difficult. Your flexibility, positivity, and ultimately your respect for our Fallen Heroes and their families had made another Mission a success and I take away from it a deeper respect for what we do and why we do it every time. Thank you for allowing me the honor.

Mission Complete.

Lamar Mullis “Dynalowgirl”