Patriots personified

As a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, I have been privileged to escort deceased veterans on their final mission. Regardless of circumstances surrounding their passing, each of these men and women deserved recognition for their service.

This weekend I was honored to participate in the escort of Cpl. Jerry M. Garrison to Lamar on his final mission. His remains arrived in Little Rock on Saturday morning. I along with 22 other motorcyclists rode escort from the airport to a funeral home in Russellville. Along the way, several overpasses were draped with the American flag, and many citizens, both first responders and everyday people, rendered their respects for this repatriated soldier. Traffic came to a standstill. Intersections ceased to exist as if this was one long lane. There were no interruptions. Corporal Garrison was killed in action in 1950 during the Korean War in the battle of Chosin Reservoir. His remains had only recently been identified. Once the military had completed the identification, his family was notified and his journey home began.

He completed the long journey home to rest in the cemetery in Lamar, his hometown. More of the same display of people paying their respects continued along the trip from Russellville to the cemetery. At one point a firetruck from a local department used its ladder truck to display the flag over an intersection of our route. Upon entering the small community our route took us by the school complex. Children and teachers alike, some waving small flags, stood in recognition of this hero. His graveside service was a welcoming-home celebration. His family now has closure.

This display of patriotism was an amazing thing to witness and experience. The moral to my recounting of this event should be, whether people did or did not serve, those who did and especially those who gave the ultimate sacrifice deserve to be thanked for the freedoms we enjoy. We live in the greatest country on this planet. You don’t have to serve to be patriotic.

BRIAN KELLY Maumelle