Another Fallen Hero

[Kablewizard]

At 7:24 PM on December 8,2006 a Plane arrived at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport the one passenger that the 50 Motorcycles, Family members, a fire truck and the Governor of the Gila River Indian Community was waiting for was a Cpl in the Army. U S Army CPL Billy Farris. He was coming home from Iraq, with one soldier as his escort. This SGT has been here before Billy was not his first friend to loose his life from the unit from Arizona, but the third.

When the hearse cleared the tarmac we were waiting. An emergency vehicle in the lead followed by a lead Bike then my bike to the right and behind with the US Flag flying high, to my left and slightly behind the Army flag flying high followed by the hearse, the family, the Indian community governor, the remainder of the family the rest of the motorcycles and our support vehicles, and a fire truck.

We left the airport and entered the freeway heading south. As we proceeded down the freeway it seemed everyone was going by super slow as we got out of town I could see that people were standing on the overpasses with candles it gave me goose bumps. I wasn't ready for this type of reception in the dark. Our Main destination was Casa Grande and a mortuary where our young soldier would remain until it was time for the ceremonial burial and service starting Monday. We were to make a side trip to take him past his home and Mission in Bapchule, AZ. As we got off the freeway there were more candles on both side of the road, when we finally came to our turn to the mission and the house both sides of the road were lined with red candles. We slowly entered the mission area and then proceeded to the house after leaving the house we had to return to the same road we came in on and started to pass the procession that was behind us. This road was about ¾ of a mile. As we got back to the mission road I saw the last car of the procession. It seemed as we went past the folks lining the road the started to follow us. When we got to Casa Grande and arrived at the mortuary the night air cold, after our soldier was carried inside and I stood outside, when the family and friends came out there were a lot of "thank you s"� hand shakes and hugs for the guard members. I went home that night with a heavy heart and the knowledge that I would finish this mission Tuesday.

Monday we were asked to escort CPL Farris back to the mission for the ceremony and the burial on Tuesday I was unable to attend because of work, but the others who were there said it was very special.

Tuesday we were invited to come back and be a part of the ceremony which was an honor. We were part of the possession from the Mission to the cemetery across the street. We parked our bike along the road flags flying and walked behind the Honor Guards of several of the Salt River Communities and ahead of the hearse carrying our flags. As we entered the cemetery road we all broke off and lined the road as the hearse, family and friends entered the cemetery. When the ceremony was completed and we were getting ready to leave it seemed everyone whom passed thanked us and I received a lot of hugs as did others. We were honored to be part of the ceremony and welcomed into their community. No words can really express how I felt and I know the others felt the same way.

Lastly: As usual when we are on the highway I tune my CB to Ch 19 and inform the truckers of our approach. On this night, it seemed no one wanted to pass us. There were a lot of truckers and others wanting to know what we're doing tying up traffic. You only have to tell a few and they pass it on. It is amazing how the complaints of what's going and chatter all turn to silence when the answer is given and then the compliments for what we are doing come in. I wish the others can hear it first hand, but if you can only hear about it or read about it here, know it happens.

Lastly when my friend and I went to the local Cracker Barrel for lunch the waitress saw my Patriot Guard pin and asked what we were doing. After I told her she thanked us for what we did, and then told us she was buying our meals. We left her a tip that was enough to pay for the meal plus.

I do this for those that put their lives in harms way and I feel good about it. Since this mission we have had 2 welcome homes and a Gratitude day for the Guard members here in Phoenix all of which make is how I say Thank You to these soldiers, and I know the others do it for the same reason.

So Thank You to all those that serve or have served and to all the Patriot Guard members who read this, and May God Bless you all.



Jim K

[Kablewizard]

At 7:24 PM on December 8,2006 a Plane arrived at Phoenix Sky Harbor airport the one passenger that the 50 Motorcycles, Family members, a fire truck and the Governor of the Gila River Indian Community was waiting for was a Cpl in the Army. U S Army CPL Billy Farris. He was coming home from Iraq, with one soldier as his escort. This SGT has been here before Billy was not his first friend to loose his life from the unit from Arizona, but the third.

When the hearse cleared the tarmac we were waiting. An emergency vehicle in the lead followed by a lead Bike then my bike to the right and behind with the US Flag flying high, to my left and slightly behind the Army flag flying high followed by the hearse, the family, the Indian community governor, the remainder of the family the rest of the motorcycles and our support vehicles, and a fire truck.

We left the airport and entered the freeway heading south. As we proceeded down the freeway it seemed everyone was going by super slow as we got out of town I could see that people were standing on the overpasses with candles it gave me goose bumps. I wasn't ready for this type of reception in the dark. Our Main destination was Casa Grande and a mortuary where our young soldier would remain until it was time for the ceremonial burial and service starting Monday. We were to make a side trip to take him past his home and Mission in Bapchule, AZ. As we got off the freeway there were more candles on both side of the road, when we finally came to our turn to the mission and the house both sides of the road were lined with red candles. We slowly entered the mission area and then proceeded to the house after leaving the house we had to return to the same road we came in on and started to pass the procession that was behind us. This road was about ¾ of a mile. As we got back to the mission road I saw the last car of the procession. It seemed as we went past the folks lining the road the started to follow us. When we got to Casa Grande and arrived at the mortuary the night air cold, after our soldier was carried inside and I stood outside, when the family and friends came out there were a lot of "thank you s"� hand shakes and hugs for the guard members. I went home that night with a heavy heart and the knowledge that I would finish this mission Tuesday.

Monday we were asked to escort CPL Farris back to the mission for the ceremony and the burial on Tuesday I was unable to attend because of work, but the others who were there said it was very special.

Tuesday we were invited to come back and be a part of the ceremony which was an honor. We were part of the possession from the Mission to the cemetery across the street. We parked our bike along the road flags flying and walked behind the Honor Guards of several of the Salt River Communities and ahead of the hearse carrying our flags. As we entered the cemetery road we all broke off and lined the road as the hearse, family and friends entered the cemetery. When the ceremony was completed and we were getting ready to leave it seemed everyone whom passed thanked us and I received a lot of hugs as did others. We were honored to be part of the ceremony and welcomed into their community. No words can really express how I felt and I know the others felt the same way.

Lastly: As usual when we are on the highway I tune my CB to Ch 19 and inform the truckers of our approach. On this night, it seemed no one wanted to pass us. There were a lot of truckers and others wanting to know what we're doing tying up traffic. You only have to tell a few and they pass it on. It is amazing how the complaints of what's going and chatter all turn to silence when the answer is given and then the compliments for what we are doing come in. I wish the others can hear it first hand, but if you can only hear about it or read about it here, know it happens.

Lastly when my friend and I went to the local Cracker Barrel for lunch the waitress saw my Patriot Guard pin and asked what we were doing. After I told her she thanked us for what we did, and then told us she was buying our meals. We left her a tip that was enough to pay for the meal plus.

I do this for those that put their lives in harms way and I feel good about it. Since this mission we have had 2 welcome homes and a Gratitude day for the Guard members here in Phoenix all of which make is how I say Thank You to these soldiers, and I know the others do it for the same reason.

So Thank You to all those that serve or have served and to all the Patriot Guard members who read this, and May God Bless you all.



Jim K

[Ray,IN]

Thanks for sharing your experiences Jim! It makes me aware of the camaraderie and dedication of you and your organization, to giving a final show of respect to our fallen brothers.

[DriVer]

<BLOCKQUOTE class="ip-ubbcode-quote"><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-title">quote:</div><div class="ip-ubbcode-quote-content">Originally posted by Kablewizard: </div></BLOCKQUOTE>Jim, Thanks for sharing this story.

[Captain Bud]

Thank you... Jim

[DonavonP]

Thank you Jim!!

[rogueii]

Thank you Jim.

<span class="ev_code_GREEN">"Ceade Mile Failte"</span>

[Kablewizard]

It is my Honor to do it, I remember when I would wear my uniform to travel in the 70s and the younger generation ( My own age) would call me a "baby killer" and such things. Something that those of us who are Viet Nam Era Vets say is, we won't let it happen to these Heros because we know how it feels.

Thanks to everyone that served and are serving. I hope you won't need us, but sign on to www.patriotguard.org if you do.

[Gerald Calderone]

Good on you Jim.

I pray that there will be a day when your work will be unnecessary.

GH Calderone
USAF 0-3