Patriot
Isabella is Lazarus
I mentioned today in other threads I was going to a PGR mission for a young PFC Marine from Denham Springs, LA 60 miles from my home in Metairie, LA which is a suburb of New Orleans. Mike Barris, my friend, and a real big heart for Veterans, was assertive enough to read an obit for a Vietnam Veteran he didn't know from Adam, call the funeral director or the Pastor of the church the service was being held, explain what the PGR was all about, and ask them to think about asking the next of kin / family for permission and an invitation for us to serve and honor their deceased loved one. Out of 5 obits in the last year he felt lead to pursue, 3 of them were made into missions by the widow's invitation. He and I were twice the only 2 to be able to show up on a weekday morning as we are both retired and our time is our own besides family committments.
We brought flags to hold on poles, and twice, my extra flag I carry brand new in the package was used to drape the casket after asking the funeral director if we could. He asked the family. Mike and I, just the two of us folded that flag and presented it to the next of kin right after I played echo taps from my MP3 and Goldwing speakers for all to hear.
Well, Mike didn't make it home from the mission today in Denham Springs to his home in Independence, LA. He was killed on his Harley Softail; no details yet, but the RC today is a Baton Rouge LEO and will find out.
Services to be either Thur, Fri, or Sat.
Please pray for Mike Barris's widow, for me (my CMA group and I lost our Chaplain 9 months ago riding his bike on River Road crossing the double yellow line and hitting a pickup truck), and all the Louisiana PGRers. I'm getting paranoid as in 2004-07, I knew no-one who went down, and in '08, I know 15 who went down with 1 fatality. Now this in Jan '09.
Thanx much to my cyperspace and extended family,
Mike in Nawlins'
PGR New Orleans Ride Captain
black armband, in mourning and pain
We brought flags to hold on poles, and twice, my extra flag I carry brand new in the package was used to drape the casket after asking the funeral director if we could. He asked the family. Mike and I, just the two of us folded that flag and presented it to the next of kin right after I played echo taps from my MP3 and Goldwing speakers for all to hear.
Well, Mike didn't make it home from the mission today in Denham Springs to his home in Independence, LA. He was killed on his Harley Softail; no details yet, but the RC today is a Baton Rouge LEO and will find out.
Services to be either Thur, Fri, or Sat.
Please pray for Mike Barris's widow, for me (my CMA group and I lost our Chaplain 9 months ago riding his bike on River Road crossing the double yellow line and hitting a pickup truck), and all the Louisiana PGRers. I'm getting paranoid as in 2004-07, I knew no-one who went down, and in '08, I know 15 who went down with 1 fatality. Now this in Jan '09.
Thanx much to my cyperspace and extended family,
Mike in Nawlins'
PGR New Orleans Ride Captain
black armband, in mourning and pain
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