Our marines and army men risked their lives to protect ours. Hence, it is only a must to give them a respectable burial ceremony. The Patriot Guard Riders, an organization based in the United States has members ensuring that our fallen heroes will get the peaceful and honorable funeral that they truly deserve.
After seven tours in Iraq and Afghanistan, Marine Staff Sergeant Jonathan Turner finally returned home. In celebration of a lost brother, the Marine Corps paid for the service and cremation.
However, his ashes were going to be mailed home to Georgia, with no proper funeral and proper recognition for giving his life to our country. But when the Patriot Guard Riders heard they decided to intervene.
Turner had completed 17 years of service, and now this leader, hero, and friend would perform one last mission.
The Patriot Guard Riders were Founded in 2005 to shield families of fallen heroes from those that would disrupt the services of their loved ones, the Patriot Guard Riders has grown to include thousands of members across all 50 states in the US.
Bikers of PGR were there to give their final respect to the fallen hero. Unfortunately for the 41-year-old veteran, his family cannot make it to California.
Knowing that they couldn’t let the remains of Turner be transported via FedEx, the Patriot Guard Riders volunteered to ensure that the remains of the veteran would reach his family safely.
“The California Patriot Guard Riders contacted all of the state captains from California to Georgia and explained the situation, that it was not proper to ship this hero home via FedEx,” explained Jeff Goodiel of the Georgia Patriot Guard Riders. “Within days, a convoy was assembled with each state’s Patriot Guard Riders driving Turner’s cremated remains across their state and then passing those remains off to the next group of riders.”
What they did to honor this amazing Marine was fantastic, I hope most people would help recognize those who gave their lives for our country…
“We don’t care what you ride or if you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a hawk or a dove,” the group wrote on their website. “It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what your income is; you don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.”
According to the organization, delivering Turner’s remains was the longest trip of its kind. A hundred bikers volunteered to transport safely the remains of Turner and traveled more than 2,000 miles.
“It’s heartwarming, to see all these people here,” Annie Glanton, Turner’s mother, expressed her gratitude in an interview. “I know that he was loved by a lot of people.”
“Turner was a great leader who inspired his fellow Marines, both in the Corps and in daily life,” The PGR website stated, explaining how much Turner deserved their respect and sacrifice.
“You were his friend if you knew him for five minutes or five years. He would give you the shirt off his back.”
Bikers may look scary and intimidating, especially when they are riding their big bikes. But behind their tough exterior, there lies a heart with a soft and thoughtful spot.
Watch the heartwarming video below:
Source: AWM
Thomas Cooper