This is from one of my Crew. A great American who my wife and I were able to meet up in York Neb while on vacation. Her story tells the simple tale of how a hero should be taken care. We need more great Americans like the Patriot Guard Riders as well!!!
Semper Fi,
Taco
Today I attended the funeral of SSG Jeffrey H. SSG H. was killed in Iraq when the humvee he was riding in flipped over and went into a canal. He was the only fatality.
This was the first military funeral I attended. Knowing the proximity of the Kansas church group who protests military funerals, I was so glad to hear that the Patriot Guard Riders would also be in attendance. What a phenomenal group of people.
I took water, pop, and munchies to the staging area for the PGR and had the opportunity to talk to several members of the group. One of the riders had left at 3am to drive all the way here for the funeral a 4.5 hours ride. The group assembled at the fairgrounds at 8:30am. It was such an awesome sound to hear them coming down the road. They were surprised that I was there to greet them which really surprised me. I would think that anywhere they went, someone would be there to say thank you to them for taking time off from work to ride for a fallen warrior. Many of them had sons who were in the military. One has a son in the Marines just back from Iraq who will be deploying again in July 2007. One has a son in the Army who just deployed three days ago. Several guys I talked to were Vietnam vets. One is a Marine who is getting ready to retire after 22 years in the service. Again…such a phenomenal group of guys I had the privilege of meeting.
The protestors were here of course. One of the locals and one of the protestors got into a verbal confrontation. I guess it got pretty heated. I couldn’t see them, but you could hear them singing their filthy songs. As soon as the PGR heard them, first one, then two, then more came over and started their bikes up. What a beautiful sound! That silenced the protestors…the roar of approximately 100 gorgeous motorcycles.
The church is across from the elementary school and the teachers had lined the schoolyard fence with flags. When the funeral procession left for the cemetery, the kids, who were just finishing up with their lunch recess, stood along the fence with their hands over their hearts. It was really nice to see that.
I would imagine there was over 300 people at the funeral. It wasn’t as big as I had thought it would be. The service was decent. I don’t care for the minister who gave the service, but it was ok overall. The PGR had their flags at the burial site. As the 21 gun salute and then taps sounded, you could hear the sniffles..not just from me, but from the veterans I was standing with. This was one of the most incredibly touching things I have ever witnessed.
My boss…the idiot….asked me this morning when I stopped into the office….”What’s the big deal? What’s with all the notoriety? He’s not a local kid.” Now you know why I really dislike my boss. He just doesn’t get it. If you’re ever in Nebraska, I’d be more than happy to introduce you to him and let you explain it to him.
Rest in Peace, SSG Jeffrey H. Thank you for your service. May God bless your family, and may He keep safe those in your unit who still fight in Iraq.
God Bless the USA!
The SandGram 
September 6, 2006 at 6:04 pm
Excellent post Taco. Thanks to both of you for sharing it with us.
Rest in Peace SSG Jeffrey H.
September 6, 2006 at 6:49 pm
“Poor is the Nation that has no Heroes,,,Shameful is the one that, having them,,,Forgets.” unknown
Rest In Peace SSG H.
I joined the PGR last Oct. and have been to several honor missions and homecomings. It takes your breath away to see those flags flying!
September 6, 2006 at 7:01 pm
SSgt, you and your family are the real heroes, Semper Fi brother wherever you are. On another note, I got a few words for her boss. They include…..Eat Shit and die scumbag and I wonder how far I can put my foot up your ass…….as always, have a nice day. Maj Pain!(aka Capt B)
September 6, 2006 at 7:04 pm
God’s blessings to shower on all supporting our warrior who gave his life FOR US and the cause of FREEDOM.
He will never be forgotten.
September 6, 2006 at 7:07 pm
Taco, Thankyou for caring enough to share the bad and the good. SSG Jeffrey, I am hugging you and your family with my heart.
September 6, 2006 at 7:08 pm
Karen I. was the above anonymous.
September 6, 2006 at 9:57 pm
I’m a member of the PGR, though I drive a cage. We had a mission for a young medic (KIA in A-stan) on Sunday in the South-West part of CO and more than 250 PGR from CO, Utah and WY showed up. The family was really greatful. The UGs (ugliness) showed up for an hour.
I’m glad you had a chance to attend. Keeping SSG JHs family in my thoughts…
September 6, 2006 at 11:07 pm
I have to tell you another part of this story…one I just found out about a little while ago.
While the protesters were, unfortunately, getting their tv time, an 82 year old grandmother walked in between a protester holding a sign and the tv camera. As she walked by, she swatted the sign out of the protestor’s hands.
The granny continued to walk with her family to the funeral as the protester yelled, “Hey. You can’t do that.”
To which the granny replied, “Yes, I can. It’s called Freedom of Speech, and I just told you what I thought.”
Gotta love those fiesty old gals!
September 7, 2006 at 6:42 am
“Tell them of us and say, For their tomorrow, We gave our today.”
— The Kohima Epitaph
Rest in peace, brave warrior, and thank you for our tomorrows.
September 7, 2006 at 4:01 pm
Thankyou so much for being a PGR, Agnieszka. Don’t be apolegetic about driving a cage (what ever that is), I’d be proud to make cookies for them.I thought these UG’s were against the law at funerals.I wrote to get them outlawed at Miliary hospitals, too to no avail.I think a cage is something I would be afraid to drive. Well thanks again.
September 7, 2006 at 7:38 pm
I love living in Alaska! So far, we have had about 10 military funerals, several being the helicopter crew from Fairbanks, and being so far away from mainstream USA, we have not had ONE of those protestors ever show up to any of our funerals. Many, many regular folks, there to pay their respects, but not one protestor. I’m glad. But we still get the motorcycle riders – not sure if they belong to this group – but it is still an awesome thing. Being a really conservative state, I’m pretty sure the locals would be very firm, and very quick to deal with any of them.
God Bless you, SSGT H. You are all my heroes.
Becky
September 7, 2006 at 7:56 pm
As I get older…I have no patience for stupid. Unfortunately we are surrounded. Support of our military is not about race, politics, gender or religion. Where would our country be if we just quit caring and never shared what we’ve been blessed with.
September 7, 2006 at 8:26 pm
The PGR are the best! ‘Specially with Agnieszka in the ‘cage’ (4+ wheeled support vehicle).
Thanks for posting this report for SSG JH, Taco. And ditto ‘Maj Pain’!
September 7, 2006 at 10:51 pm
Rode for 28 years… a good many of those was on the local Police volunteer list for escorting funeral processions through the heavy city traffic. Many, many bikes and always such kind words from the famil(ies) for this facilitation. Confess, I can’t see the logic of trying to disrupt a funeral (small minds), but I well know the roar of multiple machines. Thank you for this story. So liked the image of the children with hands-on-heart, the flags, and the PGR response of reving engines to block the oh-so misguided hate. Forgive me B & B, for all my gentle support, I think I just passed over to the “take names” side. Maybe good not to help those who are so incredibly uncouth. Makes me want to utter a local admonishment (of how they won’t be helped) to those so crude: “see ya at the next earthquake”.
September 8, 2006 at 11:24 pm
So sad to read of another’s hero sacrifice to our great country. Even sadder to read about those who abuse the very freedom this fine young hero died for. The premise of the PGR is wonderful, as are most of its members. I used to be one! I’ll just leave it at that.
September 9, 2006 at 12:17 am
*sigh*
There’s not much sadder than a military funeral. (unless, of course, you consider Phred Phelps and his crew ‘sad’ because they just take the cake for being a sorry excuse for Christians)
September 9, 2006 at 2:42 pm
Thank you for posting this story Taco. I have never been to a military funeral before but have met the PGRs at a Soldier’s Angel event awhile back. They are a remarkable group of loyal, patriotic Americans. It’s really pathetic that the boss in this story didn’t get it.
RIP and thank you for your sacrifices SSGT Jeffrey H
September 9, 2006 at 7:19 pm
Thanks for such a great post, brought tears to my eyes. Rest in Peace SSG Jeffrey H, prayers of comfort to your family and friends.
September 13, 2006 at 4:47 am
It’s always comforting to hear about the PGR doing what they do for another fallen warrior. It just pains me that we even have a need for them in our own country. Downright shameful.
Semper Fi Taco
September 14, 2006 at 2:16 pm
I am from KS as it pains me say so are the UG’s. Know that this ugly little group of small minded people are not what we all are all like here. I grew up with a father who served in Korea and taught the values of patriotism and respect for the Armed Forces. I only wish that everyone had that same pride for the men and women who lay down their lives for our freedom. Thank you for all that you do and continue the fight as we will not forget. Semper Fi Taco and thanks again.