ALL IN 4AHERO
The PGR : Escorting the Final Journeys of the Valiant
By COL Shaun Maynard , USAF ( Ret ) and PGR Ride Captain
It was not my typical Patriot Guard Riders ( PGR ) experience . Our first mission that day involved an early ceremony well attended by mourning family and friends . After the funeral our PGR escorted the procession to Barrancas National Cemetery , remaining with them throughout the graveside service .
What was different that day was our second mission . Eight of us left Barrancas after the ceremony , and drove to a remote community north of I-10 on Hwy 87 .
A week earlier , the widow of Phillip H . Feick , US Army , had asked the VA if arrangements could be made to have someone pickup her husband ' s remains to be interned at Barrancas . Homebound , the widow was unable to bring them herself . The VA notified the PGR and , to his credit , PGR Assistant State Captain Ray Doyle stepped up , arranging the escort .
So after our first mission that day , we rode to Milton , parked our bikes on the road and hiked – in formation with honor guard – through the woods to her remote home 300 yards off the main road . There , we presented Mrs . Feick with her husband ’ s folded American flag and received her husband ' s cremated remains to bring to his final resting place .
Again in formation , all eight PGR members escorted the “ last journey ” of this US Army Veteran of the Korean War to Barrancas . Upon our arrival , we were met by staff at the cemetery who reverently accepted his remains . Privileged to make this simple gesture , I found myself reflecting on it as one of the most memorable missions of the more than 300 I have participated in so far as a PGR rider . It is one I will not forget – simply because of how much it meant to the widow to have such dedication and respect for her late husband displayed at her home , as well as all along the route and at Barrancas Military Cemetery .
78 AHERO MAGAZINE SUMMER 2021
Riding4AHERO : Riders from multiple motorcycle clubs rode in on these beauties to attend the Hook-Up .