“Hugo Reese, 49, is the kind of guy who will knock the hat off a kid at a baseball game if he leaves it on during the national anthem.”

Provocative opening line, right? Well, I borrowed it from the South Bend Tribune of September 20^th where it was the first line of a story in the Community section. I just came from a cold and windy mission in Hammond, Indiana honoring Jonathan Seal. In the staging area there, that very Hugo showed me the newspaper and my reaction was to ask for a picture of him holding it. He was reluctant and people around us started to encourage him to submit. He then said quietly to me, “I didn’t do it for that.”

So I will do it here. This picture of Hugo standing in his front yard is one of two printed in that newspaper:

And here he is with co-captain Terry sweet-talking the library lady who wasn’t sure she wanted us in her parking lot:

(I first met Hugo and Terry a week ago at the Elkhart funeral for Aaron Seal where the second half of our group became separated from the first half and lost on the way to the cemetery, but I won’t belabor that here.)(All 88 photos I took at Hammond are here.)

With his unassuming manner Hugo suggests one of the best qualities of the Patriot Guard. “Its not about us, its about the fallen hero.” Contrast that with the Westboro people to whom a funeral is simply an event at which they can bring the spotlight to bear on themselves.

The mission statement promulgated by the Patriot Guard organization makes only two points, with the boldface emphasis of the first the same as the PGR website:

1. Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.

2. Shield the mourning family and friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.

Indeed, at the riders’ meeting Hugo said that, while we may have formed in response to Westboro, our primary mission has changed to a simple show of respect. Unlike the other guests, we are ready to react if Westboro shows up but that would be only incidental to our primary purpose. We do not define ourselves in terms of them.

I have had this sense since my first mission last winter but this was the first time I heard it expressed explicitly. I remember thinking we are like a pistol that has only been used for target shooting but is always available in case a home invader intrudes. (Note to Westboro: That’s a metaphor.) But while that makes us sound threatening, every riders’ meeting includes an admonition to avoid any engagement with anyone who would disrespect the proceedings. Hugo’s meetings also always include a prayer and the Pledge of Allegiance, both loud and clear. And if you get anywhere near that guy you will get a hug:

The most memorable part of this mission was the ride from the church to the cemetery. We went past four schools including Jonathan’s high school. At each, the student body lined the curb and held signs. Our bikes were at the end of the long procession and the students cheered for us. I assume they did not cheer for the hearse, but I wouldn’t object to their spirit if they did.

The fifteen mile trip was mostly along busy highways but the Hammond Public Works Department blocked most cross-streets with huge snow-plow trucks. And, of course, there were a ton of cops. It seemed the whole big city wanted to usher this fallen hero to his final rest and reward. R.I.P. SSG.