Thanks Again to the Patriot Guard

If you were here last week, you read about how awesome the Patriot Guard Riders were in getting Marc and the guys home from their deployment in Afghanistan of 2010.  

Well, today, I am going to tell the other side of how they work... 

Remember when I posted about LCPL Steve Sutton giving the ultimate sacrifice?  

Well, there were all sorts of rumors about that "church" that protests the funerals of fallen military members...

They had posted on their site to plan to go and protest the funeral for him... 

Yes, we were all worried they would be there... and I even prayed for strength not to stoop to their level in dealing with them...

It was a relief to know that the cities of both Leesburg and Albany came together to show honor and respect to a hometown hero.... 

Not to mention, the Patriot Guard Riders were there...

They were there to welcome him body home from the airport... They escorted his body to the funeral home.  They lined the area for the funeral... I had to go meet someone and of course, I drove by to see all the PGR there...  There were HUNDREDS.  

When heading home, the family passed by... Once again, escorted by even more PGR.  Then, his body went by... once again... more PGR... Of course, being a military wife, this hit harder than others...

That afternoon, they had the funeral (for family and close friends)  with burial to follow.  The people in the community wanted to show their support for the family, so we all lined the roads (over 10 miles) from the church to the grave.  

The Patriot Guard Riders waiting out front of the church.

PGR with flags...

Beautiful bike and Patriot Guard Rider...

City of Leesburg with their Flag held high....

All over Albany and Leesburg, you could see signs like this... This was just one of  many.

Another flag at the entrance of the cemetery.

If you can see the boom truck in the distance, they had like 7 or 8 lined up on the last stretch of road to  the cemetery with a person up there holding a flag.  

They even had military at the entrance of the cemetery.

 Then, there were HUNDREDS of bikes... From Patriot Guard Riders to local biker groups that wanted to show support.  With each bike that passed, my heart ached more... for the loss of their loved one... and also my heart was full of pride... Proud that although he passed, his wife could look out and see that there was love from a community... No, that would not help, but I am sure it did make her feel a bit hopeful knowing that he died serving a country and that our community loves him and was there to support his family and friends during this time...

  

  

  

   

 Finally, I am not sure what they did, but as the grave side service was being held, there were marines there at the entrance on some sort of funeral detail...  

 Once again, I was so overwhelmed and emotional with the support of our community.  Not only for the community to come together to honor this hero, but a huge thanks to the Patriot Guard Riders for being there... Not to mention, biker groups get a bad name and it was nice to see them there for the good of the community and for people to see that.