EDITOR’S NOTE: This article was originally published in the December 2007 issue of Rider. It has been republished here in honor of Memorial Day. Above: Opening spread from the original article, with an illustration by Hector Cademartori.
More than 50 motorcyclists, each holding a 3- by 5-foot American flag, stood quietly. They were close together, almost elbow to elbow, forming a semi-circle around the entrance to the small church. I was waiting in line to go inside with about 20 other people. No one spoke, and the most apparent sound was that of flags whipping the air.
Several of the riders stepped back to allow room for a casket to be carried up the stairs. They turned to face the casket and then stepped back into place.
I made eye contact with one of the riders and he acknowledged me with a nod. ?Who are you"? I asked him in a hushed voice. ?We?re the Patriot Guard Riders,? he told me.
?And how did you know Laura"? I asked.
?I didn?t know her. I?m here with my fellow riders?this is what we do?to show her family and friends that we care, and to show respect for a fallen hero.?
Wow. I was speechless. This motorcycle group was here to honor someone they had never met. Laura, my friend?s niece, had been a lieutenant, junior grade in the U.S. Navy. She died in a helicopter crash during a search and recover training mission. Joe Giglio, as state captain for the (Southern) California Patriot Guard, had contacted the family and asked if they wanted the Guard at t...