Each time I ride on a mission with the Patriot Guard, I’m reminded of the stark realities of war. And of the danger our brave young men and women face each and every day that they are in hotspots around the world.
Spc. Rodney Johnson, the son of a Houston Police Officer, was killed during an attack by terrorists in Baghdad on September 4, 2007.
The day was dreary and the rainfall heavy in the morning. A total of 16 motorcycles, 1 trike and 5 support vehicles met to escort Spc. Johnson from the airport to the funeral home. We were accompanied by an HPD Honor Guard and many HPD officers.
As Spc. Johnson’s plane pulled up, it was met by a water cannon salute. Apologies for the quality of the video but my main purpose is to stand at attention and honor the soldier. The red band on the left is from the flag I was holding.
The route from the airport to the funeral home was special, as always. It is so heart warming to see the citizens of our nation come together as one to honor our fallen soldiers. At every intersection, people would stop and salute.
The police honored Spc. Johnson by sending the procession through the Stringfellow Southeast Command Station. Many of the employees and officers exited the building to stand at attention on the sidewalks as we wound through the complex.
At the funeral home, we stood arm to arm with the HPD Honor Guard as the Marine Honor Guard took Spc. Johnson inside. It was raining quite hard at that point but no one left their post.
As we were mounting up, one of the family members brought his very young daughter over to my bike. Such a beautiful child. What a sacrifice her father has given for me. Thank you, Spc. Johnson, may your journey home be filled with joy.
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Thank you BigJ for letting us share this experience. It must mean so much to the families to have him honored. Prayers for the fallen.
Thank you for your service and sacrifice Rodney Johnson. What you have given is beyond measuring.
May you rest in peace in the arms of the Lord.
May your loved ones receive the Lord’s comfort in this sad time.
Thanks BJ. The only time I can ride is Saturday afternoons and Sundays.
The Patriot Guard definitely makes a difference
BigJolly it really KILLS me when I can’t slip away and join in for such an honorable mission!
S.E.Texas PGR you’ve done SPC Johnson proud!
Our country is the greatest because we have the greatest people. Thank you Spc. Johnson, and to the family you leave behind.
3 Katfish I feel the same way. My work lets me have little time off.
Will someone please explain something to me ?
I posted a reply between #1 and # 2 and it did not appear. Than I replied replied to # 4, (see post #6). . Now at 7:38 my number 3 slid in between # 2 and #4 timed at 5.01 PM. WTH ?
Thank you Rodney Johnson
I don’t know, Dov. Believe it or not, I think HAL picked it up because you typed BJ in the text.
Thank You BigJ
I will remember that in the future.
I have lost several innocent posts in the last couple of days on other threads and will look back to see if I could have possibly been “censored out.”
I had a couple on the Open Thread and/or Taco Thread that did the same thing. I reposted in a different spelling and it made it through. I will never A$$ume anything again.
The sun has gone down. Yestarday is gone. Today is a new year
May the new year be the best you ever had and only a starter on the next one. Happy Rosh. On to the Rosh thred.
Thank you Spc. Johnson what you and all of our soldiers do in this time of war. You gave the ultimate sacrifice for which I am eternally grateful. Words cannot express the tears that I shed. God bless you and your family. May He hold you in the palm of his hand and give you rest.