Third and final day: Marines collected at the White Castle at Mannheim & Grand.

Because they have Marine fuel there.

But then it started to rain. Again.

And some of us got wet.

But some of us stayed dry.

Because we know what can be found at the end of a rainbow.

Others who had ridden through the rain were passing by.

So we moved down the last half-block to the funeral home.

Road Glides look good anywhere.

But we would not be using our spare time to shine-up the bikes.

Sometimes we push through the snow.

Rain is better than snow.

The time for the family’s arrival neared. We picked up flags and took up positions.

Frederik’s family would walk past us. It would be only a few seconds.

They might not even look up. But they would know we were there.

The LtCol and Corporal Jim. Both have red stripes down their pants today.

When a career warrior steps forward to shake our hands, we are honored.

And it is good for him to know that we were here.

http://www.archive.org/download/EDIS-SRP-0194-13/EDIS-SRP-0194-13.mp3

Semper fidelis, LtCol.

The Leathernecks MC and other Marine-bikers and a few others would remain at the funeral home to take Frederik and his family to the church where his priest and the Governor were waiting. The rest of us would precede him to join them and make a welcoming presentation. I traveled with that second group. I rode behind John.

I’m not sure how familiar the community of Marines was to the family, but soon they would be inside of a Catholic church where they were sure to feel at home.

on to Frederik’s church

back to the Frederik Vazquez Mission

back to ALL MISSIONS