Quote:
Originally Posted by likaroc13
Dad's a member of the American Legion Patriot Guard Freedom Riders, which do a lot to honor our nation's Veterans & various other special causes. A couple months ago they participated in the ceremony bringing a slain soldier back to my hometown.
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I hope you wont mind my chiming in here.
I have had the grave honor of being on the Funeral Detail, and have had the opportunity to perform in this capacity twice.
Once at a planeside.
Once as the NCOIC at a chapel service.
On the planeside, we removed our fallen brother from the airplane in a small Northern Mississippi town, and escorted him to the chapel. Not only did the Freedom Riders show up at the landing strip, they also escorted the procession to the chapel, and were already in place when we arrived.
I can honestly say they do much honor to our brothers and sisters in arms, and I could not be more proud to serve a nation that behaves in this manner.
On the chapel service where I was the NCOIC, I will just say that delivering the folded flag to the survivor, and giving the "On behalf of a grateful Nation" speech is probably the hardest, and most honored thing I have ever done in my life.
ESPECIALLY when "Taps" is playing in the background.....
After both those experiences, when people stop me in the airports and restaurants, and thank me for my service, I shake their hands and reply with, "It is an honor to serve."
On behalf of all of us who serve, please thank your father for us, we dont get the chance to do so very often, and never after we have fallen.