War has
always been a part of human society. Two
thousand years ago, Roman Legions built watchtowers like this one:
They
were built that way for most of those two thousand years, and perhaps for
thousands of years before. Only in the
last century have they changed
– but not by much:
“The Department of Defense confirmed Monday that
Army Spc. Robert M. Rieckhoff,
26, died March 18th of wounds he suffered after a rocket-propelled
grenade struck the watchtower
where he was on duty in
Airport Escort
To
get the last photo above I stood on a hill.
As I was taking, I was taken…
Robert
is home. The Patriot Guard assembled at
the funeral home, escorted the family to the airport, witnessed his return and
then escorted Robert & family back to the funeral home. The Kenosha News
has a good description which includes this comment:
Only family accompanied pall bearers
from the 10th Mountain Division, Robbie’s unit, inside the funeral home, where
the family learned the casket could remain open, allowing them to see and touch
Robbie’s body, bedecked in his Army dress greens. However, due to the severity
of his fatal wound, his head would remain enwrapped in spotless white gauze,
preventing them from seeing — identifying — the facial features they so longed
to see.
Wake
My
grandson Kevin and I attended the visitation.
A school across the street from the funeral home was flying their flag
at the top of their pole. There was
nothing wrong with that – the governor had ordered the flags for which he has
authority to be flown at half on the funeral day only. Still, I climbed the steps to lower it
because it was right across the street. When I got it about halfway down I turned to
see if anyone could confirm the height for me.
There was contractor (Kontractor) Kevin
standing alone. So I took his picture.
A service flag on her hat and a service flag on her
car.
A service flag on her shirt. With two stars. Blue.
Couplea new guys.
They are looking up at a PGR flag. Kontractor told us
how it came to be littered with soldier’s signatures.
Two of the signatures belong to guys who died.
His step-brother, a firefighter, came over to us.
At 1800 in the chapel before the casket, the VFW
offered a burial ritual. Then the Wisconsin State Captain, the SouthEast Region Senior Ride Captain and the Rieckhoff Mission Ride Captain stood before the family to
offer them a few items and a few words. Konractor was eloquent.
The Staff Sergeant has five bars on his
forearm. Five
deployments.
John with 93 year-old PGRider
Helen.
American Legion guys.
American Legion Riders.
Funeral
The Lieutenant Colonel explained that he had been
on so many deployments that they finally gave him a job that would guarantee
him some time at home. He authorizes
disbursement to defense contractors in
He got his bike in
Kevin and I like this one because it had blue in
it.
His empathy for this bike extends even to his
posture.
This one has me re-thinking fringe.
Pledge & prayer each day, as it should be.
Governor Jim Doyle.
I try not to feature mourners, but I try to get
soldiers and I realize that they are often the same.
Three display cases for folded American flags.
The Lieutenant Colonel finds his place in the flagline.
As does this younger soldier.
I didn’t see the General at the funeral home, but I
saw this evidence.
Pipe & Drum.
Ride Captains with 7 year-old PGRider
Kevin.
Interrment
We left ahead of the procession and found many
people lining-up early along the route.
We stopped briefly to greet these two.
When the honor guard arrived, I knew that Robert
had been moved into the hearse and that he would arrive soon.
Three folded American flags.
The bikes rolled in.
Dozens of PGRiders.
Dozens of rumbling bikes.
Then we settled into our place in the background
while the army took center stage.
Rest in peace, Robert.
Photo
Albums: Airport 102 photos
Visitation 109 photos
Funeral 60 photos
Interment 55
photos
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