PATRIOT GAURD MISSION

Scott and I belong to an organization called The Patriot Gaurd Riders. Their mission statement is " TO STAND FOR THOSE WHO STOOD FOR US". Basicly we all join together on our bikes and ride to a given destination to welcome home soldiers returning from war. Most of the time it is at the airport or gaurd base. There we stand with smiles and flags waving to give our support to these honorable soldiers. Sadly there are times when one of these soldiers has given his life for our country and is returning home for the last time. Scott and I had the privledge and opportunity to stand gaurd for one of these soldiers. Jordan P. Thibeault was killed in Irag on Sept 5 2008 serving his country. We were given the alert that the Patriot Gaurd was needed to meet his body at the Salt Lake Air Gaurd Base. There were approximatley 30 of us that were there and it amazed me to see how these wonderful people show up to give of their time to honor a fallen soldier ! We met at a restaurant parking lot in Salt Lake and from there traveled to the airport, were we where told that there had been a change in plans and the plane was to arrive at the gaurd base. Our troop then made their way to the tarmack at the base and parked our bikes. We were each given a flag and we all proceeded to the edge of the tarmack forming two lines. The slight breeze in the air made the flags stand up and wave proud, what a glorious sight to behold ! We only had to wait for a short time when the plane carrying the soldier landed and pulled to a stop. At that point we followed in the pallbearers dressed sharply in uniforms to form two lines on either side of the door of the plane. As we stood at attention the casket was lowered out of the plane to the awaiting family members. To watch the mother caress the casket with her hands and gently lay across the casket to give her son a hug, hit home for me. I knew the heartache and pain that mother was suffering and the tears flowed down my face, later that day at the mortuary I was able to speak with her and we shared a few tears. The pall bearers and family then walked slowly behind the casket as it was taken to the awaiting hearse, and then the Patriot Gaurd members followed behind them. After the casket and family were settled in their cars, we mounted our bikes . Four of our gaurd members were to be in front of the hearse and the rest of us followed in behind, with police escorts bringing in the rear. The procession was inspiring. We traveled out of the base to the freeway briefly, then onto Rewood Road to the South Jordan area approximatley 90th South, at each of the intersections there had been police officers blocking traffic so our procession would not be interrupted, there we turned east to drive the soldier one last time by his house were the procession paused. The streets were lined with flags and people that had turned out to pay their respects, it was truly an emotional, reverent, experience. From his home we the proceeded on to Jenkins and Soffe Mortuary where the procession ended. We parked our bikes, stood by them until the casket had made its way into the building and then went in to the mortuary to give our condolences to the family. They were so grateful to us for escorting them and their son and thanked us so very much. Of course it was our honor and privilege to be able to participate in this homecoming. It is a memory that Scott and I will not soon forget.