What an emotionally draining day.  I know our hearts sink when we get news of a fallen hero but when we add the faces of the family; my heart sinks even more.  One of the Army NCO's thanked me for our honors and shook my hand. 

I too was impressed at the lady holding a flag on the horse as we drove the rural procession.  The cemetery was on the wide-open plain open to the welcoming skies. 

Thanks to all those who did back-to-back missions within the last 5 days. It was nice to see your smiling faces again (Uhhh mournful faces I mean).  Thanks Lloyd for staggering with me.  Thanks Joel for all you've done with LE support.

Blessings to all in attendance. 

Rose

RIDE REPORT for Specialist Ronald W. Gebur, Delavan, IL 23 MAY 06:

Once again, we gathered to honor a hometown hero.  Ronald left behind a loving wife, adorable son, parents that loved him, and other family members that held him close.  Ron also left 1 other thing behind.  85 Patriot Guard Riders with the ability to say, “Thank you Ron and the Gebur family for your service to our country.” 

I left Quincy at 4 am with many thought running through my head.  In our day-to-day lives we move from priority to priority and some don’t even faze us.  Our daily lives take on an ordinary presence.  This day would be different.  All my priorities were for the Gebur family.  I even forgot to call my wife to wake her up and take our son to school.

What an awesome responsibility we have, as Patriot Guard Riders, to honor our fallen and be there in the family’s time of need.  This mission responsibility cannot be taken lightly and is held in reverence.  Today I witness 65 bikes, 6 cages and 85 riders that took on that responsibility with humility in their hearts and a sense of purpose.  The faces all showed true concern that this day of remembrance would not be marred with signs of hate or words of vile filth.  They were prepared to honor, respect and shield.  My riders, my PGR fellow brothers and sisters were a wall of strength and the flags held high were a barrier that could not be penetrated.  Each and every one of you made me proud to be a Patriot Guard Rider in the State of Illinois.

Our rally was strong and our brief ride to the funeral home was…brief.  Each of you took a flag from TOP’s (Max) van.  Your procession around the funeral home, encircling it with red, white and blue was eye catching.  To the young scouts that held our honor flag high, and never waiver, thanks for holding Old Glory high. 

Inside the home, I offered our condolences and handed her the Patriot Guard Rider plaque that was made to honor Ron.  She came out and wanted to shake each riders hand.  Many offered hugs.  One rider couldn’t turn around for the tears in his eyes.  I saw it.  You are a patriot sir.  After she greeted each rider, she took me to meet the cuties little thing (their son).

She went back inside and we stood guard over this family.  The Lieutenant Governor arrived and I presented him with a “Mission Accomplished” pin and proclaimed him a Ride Captain for the PGR.  It was his direct efforts that allowed us to ride with fear for this family.

When they brought Ron out, each rider held their flags high and stood at attention.  A small, yet fitting, tribute to this hometown hero.  As we escorted Ron to his final resting place, you could see the vets, wives, husbands, children, fathers, mothers and others come to the roadside and pay their respects as well.  We even had a Patriot Guard Rider (faux) on a horse standing guard on the road to Ron’s final resting place.  His hometown turned out to remember their fallen son and brother.

At the cemetery, we stood in honor and mourned our loss.  As the scout folded Ron’s ride flag and Joel presented it to Ron’s wife, I choke up.  This woman loved his man.  There will never be another Ron….for any of us.

To LT Lowe, SGT Dickson, County Market of Pekin, Concorde Inn and Suites, the Pekin and Tazewell County officers (you too Chief), City Council, Woolsey Funeral Home, my fellow Illinois Ride Captain (Rose), the Soldiers Angels, Sgt Koslowski and especially my co-captain in-training (Joel) and his family…thank you for all of your assistance to this family and my riders.

This mission, as each has, touched my heart again and made me thank God I am an American.  Thank you Ron for allowing me to enjoy my freedoms and rights.