Fallen Soldier Mission Completed
In Memory of
US Army SPC Forrest J. Waterbury
Saturday morning 24 March 2007, began
0430 hr for some of the southern Patriot Guard to met and
depart for Wamego, Kansas 152 miles away. Many more early
morning staging sites across Kansas were preparing to
converged on Wamego, KS to pay tribute and honor Specialist
Waterbury's ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. Patriot
Guard came from all over Kansas for the funeral and burial
services. This was a full military honors funeral and
gravesite services provided by the US Army Honor Guard from
Fort Riley, Kansas.
As we arrived at Stewart Funeral Home
Ride Captains Kai Sayson and Larry "Sar Dog" Levindofske and
their crew were directing all the arriving Patriot Guard to
parking locations. We stood side by side holding American
Flags surrounding the Funeral home. After the service
started the Patriot Guard quietly rolled up the big flags on
ten foot poles, lined up the motorcycles without flags, flag
truck, and 4 wheel vehicles and Sar Dog lead to
the cemetery to set up the avenue of flags to await the
arrival of the family and motorcycle honor guard flag
escort.
The lead motorcycle honor guard
flying flags escorted the hearse and family vehicles and a
second motorcycle honor guard with all flags were next
leading the vehicles with the friends of the family to
cemetery. The communities showed their support by lining
the route to cemetery, waving flags, placing their hands
over their hearts, and saluting as the procession passed.
The gratitude and love for Spc Waterbury and his family
showed on the faces of hundreds. Arriving at cemetery the
procession passed through the avenue of flags provided by
the Patriot Guard and citizens.
At the gravesite the full military
honors were bestowed. The 21-gun salute and Taps echoed
across the country side and Spc Forrest J. Waterbury was
laid to rest. Bagpiper Charles Liles played Amazing Grace
to end the services.
After the service, the VFW, American
Legion and the City of Wamego provided a Chili lunch for all
present.
The Patriot Guard sincerely thanks all
the law enforcement agencies involved in this mission.
Their efforts to ensure our safe travel were outstanding.
We also thank the generous citizens of Wamego who provided
food. The citizens opened their arms to the Patriot Guard
in the same manner that we opened our arms to the Waterbury
family.
Thank you Ride Captains Kai and Sar
Dog, your well planned leadership made this a safe mission
for everyone involved. I also thank each and every person
who supported the Fallen Soldier mission and hope all return
home safe.
The Patriot Guard extends a very
special "thank you" to CAO Sergeant First Class Gaooegos, US
Army Sergeant First Class, the Casualty Assistance Officer
who assisted the Waterbury family and was the military
liaison who kept the Patriot Guard informed.
The Patriot Guard extends our
gratitude to all the soldiers, who like Spc Forrest
Waterbury, guard America's front battle line. Because of
our soldiers, America remains free. God bless Forrest, his
wife, family, Friends and God bless all our soldiers.
Respectfully,
Darkhorse
25 March 2007