I was driving up route 83 with my grandson. We were somewhere in Racine County when I noticed a familiar helmet ahead. I had photographed it a week ago at the funeral for Joshua Maginn in Kenosha. We were 50 miles from the site of the Matthew Zindars funeral but clearly we were both going there.

I passed him on the right and shot as I passed. I couldn’t change from the long lens as I was moving which meant that I would use two hands to control the big camera. The second shot required that I turn away from the road so I was veering into his lane…

So the three of us, on our six wheels, continued up 83. There was a hand-painted sign nearly every mile inviting the passing vehicles to stop and buy “fresh sweet corn”. Just south of Route 59 we passed a different sign, one that was meant for our fallen hero:

We were still 40 miles from Watertown and the sign was not new, so the homeowner who put that sign near his driveway did not have Matthew in mind, at least not specifically. But saying “thanks” is exactly right. Tomorrow a Marine officer will kneel in front of Matthew’s father and offer the casket flag “with the thanks of a grateful nation”. It is inadequate but exactly right.

Nearly an hour later we arrived at the staging area, conveniently a hamburger place. We ate hamburgers and then we waited in the parking lot. Kevin has been to a half-dozen of these with me, most recently just last week in Kenosha, and he fits right in.

He is wearing his “mission accomplished” pin that he received from Greg Bowman a few months ago. In his pocket he has the PGR challenge coin that he received from Mark Pleasant last week. He looks forward to participating and he wants to do a good job. I know that several of the guys look forward to seeing him.

It is reassuring at terrible times to see familiar faces. New Patriot Guard met old Patriot Guard.

New Marines met old Marines.

And then we formed our line and provided the familiar sight of Old Glory, which might have given some comfort.

We left early so that Kevin would have the evening with his mommy and I would have time to post this before I return to Watertown in the morning. We left after two hours, confident that others would stand the whole six.

Kevin would have stayed if I let him.

Pictures of the visitation Thursday.

Continue on to the funeral Friday.