Sunday, at the funeral home

 

 

I read about the 40 Patriot Guard bikes that escorted Eric Lill to the funeral home yesterday.  I heard about the local motorcycle club that blocked the intersections for us and the large turnout that watched us.  I missed the escort but I was early for the first day of the two-day wake.  Glen and Sue had left our flags inside the building.  Below, they retrieve those flags as the three principles of the funeral home look on.

 

 

Our conversation continued in the parking lot.  We learned about the city’s involvement in this high-profile funeral.

 

 

Bridgeport is a nice area.  It is just a few miles from the loop but it is a relatively isolated neighborhood.  Richard J. Daley, the first Mayor Daley, lived here and so the current mayor, Richard M. Daley, his son, lived here in his youth.  I would stand in the flagline noticing a parade of pedestrians walking past, often carrying white plastic bags – some from CVS, some loaded with groceries – and a few pedestrians and one bicyclist with bags for the coin-operated laundry directly across the street from us.  And they would all look our way, and pause.  It is a neighborhood with a strong sense of community.

 

Everyone knew who was lying inside.  They would look at the building and at us and cross themselves.  Passing cars would frequently honk in salute.  A fire truck did too as one of its crew stood on the side of the truck and held a hand salute.  From my hours standing on the sidewalk this afternoon, I would estimate that a majority of people passing on foot or in vehicles either crossed themselves or offered a salute.  And from my experience over the last fifteen months, that is a very high rate.

 

Bridgeport is served by 11th Ward Alderman James Balcer.  He is the reason a brand-new flag adorns the street lamp above the door to the funeral home.

 

 

…also, the other street lamps up and down the block.

 

 

…and notice this window.  It offers areas of practice in two languages, and neither is Spanish.  It also suggests we “support our troops.”  That sign in the window is also the work of Alderman Balcer.

 

 

And in every other window up and down the block.

 

 

Including, of course, the funeral home itself.

 

 

So we unfurled our flags and took-up our station.  The visitation was scheduled for six hours for the first day of the wake, and we started a quarter-hour early.  I knew the bright, direct sun would wear me down.  I drank a bottle of water in anticipation of a long, hot effort.

 

 

Of course we can take breaks at any time – Glen and Sue nearly insisted on it – and they offered water, as did numerous others.

 

Officer Hiatt offered water, and anything else he could do for us.  Of the many people who would go through our line expressing appreciation to each of us individually, he was the first.  He said he was an Iraq War vet and that he received a Purple Heart.  He said he was detailed to the funeral home for his whole shift.

 

 

But he wouldn’t be alone.  Many other cops would come and go.  I think they wanted to be there for the same reasons the Patriot Guard was there.

 

One person went down our line saying only “Thanks” and pressing cards into our hands.  I glanced down and saw that it started, “Dear American Hero” and I looked back up to smile and nod at him.  I didn’t read the rest until I got home because I felt so unworthy.

 

 

Tera Williams would interview Glen for the Channel 32 (Fox) news.

 

 

Her story would open the hour-long program at 2100.  Glen was on-script and eloquent, saying “…honor and respect for Eric.  People will thank us for being here, but it is not about us.  It’s about Eric.”

 

This is Arturo.  From the patches on his vest I know he is a biker and a good Christian.  From standing in the sun holding a flag for Eric, I know he is a patriot and a good guy.  What we do does not compare with what Eric did, but I am proud to be standing among the Patriot Guard.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Tuesday, at the church

 

 

In addition to the Alderman, The lieutenant governor of Illinois and the mayor of Chicago attended the church service for our fallen hero.  Anna Davlantes would report for Channel 5 (NBC) from our midst.  She did not mention the Patriot Guard, though.

 

 

Glen and Ed made good post-mission comments in the Eric Lill forum of our national website.  As I write this, I too have the luxury of time to pick my words carefully and to reread them and change them.  In all my efforts, I cannot do as well as an unidentified woman in Anna’s TV report:

 

“My hats goes out to our boys and we’ve got to give them 100 percent of our support because this is what they do for us – they lose their life so that we could all be free here at home.”

 

Her story did include a nice shot of Fred’s red truck as the Chicago Police bagpipes and drums played.

 

 

 

 

 

 

Pictures from Sunday.

 

Pictures from Tuesday.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Post Script:

 

We are an army family, so it was only with some reluctance that I was able to admit that the Marines have the prettier dress uniform.

 

But it was only today that I learned they have the prettiest umbrellas, too.