From: Michelle Graves
 

Sent: Monday, October 16, 2006 8:26 PM
To: indianapgr

Subject: Our letter of appreciation

We can't think of enough words to express our gratitude to the Patriot Guard
Riders. We had never heard of you before the funeral of our nephew, George
R. Obourn Jr. from Illinois. We were stunned and so touched when we drove up
the street to the funeral home to see the sidewalk and entrance lined on
both sides with Patriot Riders. It was the most awesome sight we've ever
seen. It gave us chills and I was immediately choked up. It was a chilly
windy day and those men and women stood so still and proud holding their
flags. They were still there after the ceremony and to see them come to
attention when the casket was carried out, it just made you swell up with
pride and admiration. It didn't stop there. When they surrounded the car
carrying the casket and led it down the streets, it was just amazing. We'ld
never seen anything like it. We were again in awe at the cemetery, to see
all of them lined up along the drive and later to surround the entire
gathering. There were so many of them and we just couldn't believe it! It
just made our blood run hot and you could just feel yourself ready to burst
with American pride. It just gave us the most overwhelming feeling and we
felt so much respect for each of them. To see people have so much respect
for someone they didn't even know and to travel and stand in the cold to
show their respect for him was so much more than just amazing and inspiring.
I just can't put our feelings into words. We thanked so many of them. I
tried to say thank you to everyone I walked past but soon was crying too
much to get the words out. Some nodded, some smiled, some said "you're
welcome" and some turned away the thanks by returning it with "No, we are
the ones who are honored to be here." It just choked us up. They were the
nicest bunch of people I've ever met. I just wanted to hug everyone of them.
To see that much American spirit, it just tears at your heart. If anyone
didn't feel anything from that, they are in the wrong country!It just makes
you swear up and down your blood actually runs red white and blue! It is
just so amazing and very overwhelming. I just can't put the feeling into
words. I know I've rambled on, but I just wanted to let you all know that we
so deeply appreciate each and every one of you. We will never forget that
day and how you made it into something so much more. It is unforgetable and
all of our family and his friends were touched by it. Thank you so much,
from the bottom of our red white and blue hearts!

Mark and Michelle Graves

 

 First, I apologize for the confusing information in the mission thread. Being offline, while running from one place to the next, coordinating what needed to be coordinated etc........must of got the best of me. No excuses from me, I made a few errors.

Wednesday evening we got the official word that SPC Obourn would be arriving into St. Louis on Thursday evening.
From that point on, Joe A. and I were in high gear. Joe and I met enroute to Washington Thur. morning, and were met by Joel V. and Jim W. at the Funeral Home where we would later escort SPC Obourn to. Thankfully Joel and Jim showed us the locations and had already started coordinating some of the mission essentials for us. Thank you guys. We were able to get "eyes on", and do a "face to face" with a few key players. We got our rooms for the night, and I quickly used Debs computer at the hotel and spit out some initial info., Joe and I met up with Ro, got a quick bite, and were enroute to St. Louis.

The three of us pushed the wind and arrived at the location at the airport and were met by one additional rider, HogRider. The Security officer in charge met us and gave us the rundown, which was nice since we hadn't done this before.
The escorting LEO's were there as well, and we made face to face with them.
We stood a line of respect while SPC Obourn was brought out, rendered our salutes and held them untill the Hearse was secured.
We saddled up and fell in with the motorcade, Joe and I directly behind the LEO and in front of the Hearse, with flags flying, Ro and HogRider behind the parents,"protecting" them. The escorting LEO's did a fabulous and impressive job of providing a flawless escort. We stopped at the predetermined "phase line" where we were greeted by Rose and two more riders. We took about 15 mins. to do what was needed, lined up and moved out.
We made a quick fuel stop a few miles up the road, and continued.
The weather was not near as harsh as had been predicted, the wind seemed to be in our favor, and the temps. lowered some, but stayed above freezing. Four of us had comms. with each other, and Ro kept us informed of the temp with her digital readout on her "wing", as well as the status of the motorcade from the rear.
We traveled along, while the LEO's continued to provide a flawless move for us, and arrived at the  initial  Funeral Home, greated by an impressive receiving flag line. Thanks to RedSpec for being there with flags, as well as Joel, and Deb for putting that together, and all others who were there. We rendered honors outside while SPC Obourn was moved inside, then we followed, lining both sides of the hallway. We maintained this with approx 20 flags, for probably 30 mins., then ensured we had the Honor Guard covered untill the next morning, or actually later the same day by now. Most of us left, and some of us returned during the night, or later in the morning to ensure SPC Obourn would not be alone, not for one minute.

We were able to provide escort later that day, while SPC Obourn was moved to the E. Peoria location, again with a knockout escort by the LEO's and receiving line during our arrival.

At this point Joe and I finished up some plans, with the help of Choctaw and Bogie, who were now present. Did one last recon at the cemetary, rehashed and confirmed we were all on the same page for the next day, and went our own ways for the day.

I arrived at the FH the next morning and there were already two riders staged.
The flag I had flown during both escorts for SPC Obourn was frayed to the point that I could no longer display it. The Army Sgt. who was already there helped me fold it. That flag, with its frayed end, represented the torn emotions, the stresses of this mission, and yet, the leading edge remained strongly bound together and intact, representing our strength and perserverance, staying together, as Patriots, and doing what we must do for each other as fellow Americans, despite the challenges we are dealt with.............

I hung a new flag that morning, and temporarily put the past few days away, but not to be forgotten, not at all.

The staging area started to fill. I had direct comm. with Joe, who was heading up a seperate and very important part of the days mission, from a distance. The LEO's were there, supporting us, and we were all prepared to adjust and do what may be necessary.
I waited as long as time would allow, for those who were inbound to arrive at the staging area.
The breif was short and to the point, follwed with a prayer. Then an announcement by IlCowboy of two more upcoming missions.
Rose and Cowboy were assisting. Helping with traffic, showing the first timers, taking the local citizens under their wings...........and making it all happen.
The flag line now in place, Joe and his element arrived, with LEO escort. We maintained the flag line, showing all present and those who traveled past our respect and honor, as Patriots, for our Hero, family, friends and community.

After all mourners had arrived and the situation was secure, Choctaw took all riders from the staging area onward to the cemetary.
This left Joe and I behind, with the other 6 or so from Joe's earlier mission, for the final escort. Soon it was time, the LEO's stood with us, as well as a few local citizens and others, in a line of respect, with flags, as our Hero was brought out.

We all fell in place, us "cocooning" the Hearse, again with a LEO escort that could not have  been better.
We were greeted by a flag line at the cemetary the words cannot describe, larger and with more people than I anticipated. Impressive only touches the impression I had.
We stood our line, with flags, around the family and other mourners, and follwed the Army's cue.

Joe, Joel, Rose and I moved into a location close enough to wait for our time. And when it was our time we stepped up to the parents. I again was able to maintain my composure, somehow, long enough to present both American flags I had flown, to the parents, expaining each, breifly. Joe presented the Illinois State Flag that he had flown, Joel the beautiful flag case, and Rose her card. Then we moved away and stood, while family and others departed. We maintained the line of respect, with flags, for several minutes, then dismissed........................................................

We were thanked by a 2 Star General, and he asked that I pass his thanks to all of you.
We were thanked by NCO's, who for some reason seem to look up to us, when it is us who honor them and what they are doing.
After the flags were secured, several of us went to the luncheon upon invite by the family, others moved on.
Eventually we all went our own way, to sort through our emotions in our own way, to try to tuck the last few days away, revisiting past memories and experiences. For me I know we did the right thing, although there was some confusion at times, somehow, again, we did it Patriot Guard.

Thank you Mr. and Mrs.  Obourn and family for allowing us into your shattered lives, to show our Honor and Respect, for our Hero, your Son. I pray for strength for you. I understand how you feel, I can relate. I hope that the harshness of your loss will ease, and I know that you will never get over this, nor that you want to.

Thanks to Mr. Deiter and staff, the Remert FH for your support and hospitality, all the LEO's, the other RC's for your suggestions and assistance, without you it would not have worked as well, no doubt.
And to Joe, my Assistant RC during this, hugs brother, anytime, anywhere.
To all the others who were there, my hat is off to you, thanks for tolerating the misinformation and confusion. Somehow you sorted through it and were there when and where needed.

I am certain to miss someone or something. So..............Joe and the other RC's, please feel free to add. And of course everyone else, please post your feelings.

SlingBlade

Standing by