Of a Marine's son at his father's funeral.  God Bless him and his family.

Last year, I went on the road a few times with the Patriot Guard to help assist at the local returning soldiers' funerals.  With camera in tow, I grabbed quite a few money shots like that but when I look back now, they just remind me of why we were there and of the pain these people have gone through.

The money shot, it's a tough one sometimes.

check this video out

PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS

Man, those are tough to look at/watch.

Ouch.

Last year, I went on the road a few times with the Patriot Guard to help assist at the local returning soldiers' funerals.  With camera in tow, I grabbed quite a few money shots like that but when I look back now, they just remind me of why we were there and of the pain these people have gone through.

The money shot, it's a tough one sometimes.

check this video out

PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS

I am a proud member of the PGR. They do a fantastic job!

Ronnie

Way to go Ronnie.  Have you been on a mission yet?  It really is truly moving and it quickly "attaches" you to this war.  The PGR are a super, stand up group of folks, doesn't surprise me that you joined.  

I am a "cage" driver. (car) I don't have a bike but they like having me bring up the rear as I evidently have good "rear sweep" skills, lol.  We drive in a convoy at UPS every day when we leave the building.

Being associated with this group is an honor.

Don't be so quick to judge the scruffy guy on the Harley

That photo was a heart beaker.  I couldn't bring myself to stop looking at it, and cried like a baby.

Way to go Ronnie.  Have you been on a mission yet?  It really is truly moving and it quickly "attaches" you to this war.  The PGR are a super, stand up group of folks, doesn't surprise me that you joined.

Being associated with this group is an honor.

Don't be so quick to judge the scruffy guy on the Harley

Haven't been able to ride yet, but NJ has one of the largest contingents of active guards and reserves in the middle east. Sadly, there is a funeral in my area almost weekly. I plan to ride in several with my daughter this summer & fall. It is indeed an honor to to associate with this group.

Ronnie

Way to go Ronnie. Have you been on a mission yet? It really is truly moving and it quickly "attaches" you to this war. The PGR are a super, stand up group of folks, doesn't surprise me that you joined.

Being associated with this group is an honor.

Don't be so quick to judge the scruffy guy on the Harley

Haven't been able to ride yet, but NJ has one of the largest contingents of active guards and reserves in the middle east. Sadly, there is a funeral in my area almost weekly. I plan to ride in several with my daughter this summer & fall. It is indeed an honor to to associate with this group.

Ronnie

That is a ride I would be more than honored to participate in. I can get there in a few hours.

The bike is at the Harley shop in Chambersburg getting inspected today.  

Wayne

Wayne, if you sign up on their site, you get emails letting you know of missions in your area, it's all volunteer, no obligation, they just let you know times, dates, procession routes and meet/staging areas.  Show up if you want, bring a flag.

I saw this last night, printed out 2 copies today at work, stuck one on my cork board and put one in my wallet.  Next time I think I am having a bad day, I will look at that picture and be grateful for a hell of a lot of things...one being a father who is still with me and another being that boys father.   :-/

My brother rides with the PGR,they are a great bunch of guys.

I think everyone should stand up and support our brave soldiers and their families. They sacrifice so much so that we may live in a free and safe country. So even if you are for or against the war in Iraq, you still owe our troops and big THANK YOU because if it were not for them then you would not have the right to express your oppinion.

To All Our Brave Troops Overseas: THANK YOU!

Big T

There is a guy in my office, a veteran, with a bumper sticker in his cubicle that reads.....

If you can read this, thank a teacher.

If you can read this in English, thank a veteran.

Wayne

Man, that is a great picture.  It puts a lump in my throat and makes me well up.

About two months ago, the doorbell rang around midnight at one of my co-worker's house. He opened the door to the sight of two Marine officers standing at his door. His son, Lance Corporal Julian Woodall, had had been killed by an IED in Iraq.

I don't believe I was as torn up about my sister's or my Dad's death as I was about this young man that I had never met.

Dick Durbin

Tallahassee

I think everyone should stand up and support our brave soldiers and their families. They sacrifice so much so that we may live in a free and safe country. So even if you are for or against the war in Iraq, you still owe our troops and big THANK YOU because if it were not for them then you would not have the right to express your oppinion.

Well said

I don't think i've ever seen a picture that was so hard to look at, that I wanted to look at so bad.  If that doesn't make you cry or almost cry somethings wrong.

we have a lot of family in one branch of the sevice or another,we have been lucky so far and when I look at that I just thank God for protecting my family,and ask God to be with those that were less fortunate,then I wipe away the tears. :'(

I gasped when I saw this photo.

What a heartbreaker.

That little boy is trying so hard to look so brave to make his daddy proud.

It reminds when I was at my dad's funeral.  I was 11 years old.

My mom got me this brand new suit and I remember hating wearing the tie.

My dad didn't die in combat, but as WW2 veteran he was given full military honors.

I was sitting next to my mom and remember jumping as they fired the rifle salute.

I was sitting next to my mom when the sargeant handed her the folded up flag.

I think I must have looked alot this boy.

I was trying so hard to not to cry.

As a former Marine, my heart goes out to them and their families.

Here is a moving video of a Lakota Marine's funeral as his friends and family honor him.  Turn on your speakers.

Here are the still images found in that video with better quality.

Dan

heart wrenching that is for sure!

thanks for posting it... I for one will be glad of the day this all will be over

AL