02-24-2007, 14:36
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#1
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Asset
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Posts: 25
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The Old Guard
During a talk with Mr. Harsey, it came up that Casket used to be in the Old Guard.
Wanted to throw a "thanks" out to Casket and all current and former members of that unit.
Last year I rode the Harley up to Arlington to attend the funeral of a friend of mine shot down in Iraq in his Kiowa Warrior. What seemed like most of Mitch's hometown came up on buses to attend, not to mention many green suiters.
The dignity and professionalism which the Old Guard lent to that ceremony was incredible. Even on such a sad day you could see the family swell with pride as those soldiers laid their son and brother to rest.
The horses in the caisson were beautiful, and handled with exacting precision, uniforms were spotless, and I was honored to see how much those young men added to the mystique of that most hallowed ground without diverting attention from the fallen. Rather they focused all of the attention on Mitch, and treated him with the care they would give their own.
The memory of that day and others like it are now indelible in my memory.
Thank you.
GD
__________________
"Some men are alive simply because it is against the law to kill them." -- Ed Howe
"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him. "
--Mark Twain
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Genghis_Don is offline
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02-24-2007, 14:51
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#2
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland
Posts: 24,827
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Here here!
Thanks, Gents, for paying the final respects and doing it in a very professional manner.
Gardens of stone.
TR
__________________
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910
De Oppresso Liber 01/20/2025
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The Reaper is offline
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02-24-2007, 14:57
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#3
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BANNED USER
Join Date: Aug 2006
Posts: 1,189
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Gardens of Stone
Quote:
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Originally Posted by Genghis_Don
During a talk with Mr. Harsey, it came up that Casket used to be in the Old Guard.
Wanted to throw a "thanks" out to Casket and all current and former members of that unit.
Last year I rode the Harley up to Arlington to attend the funeral of a friend of mine shot down in Iraq in his Kiowa Warrior. What seemed like most of Mitch's hometown came up on buses to attend, not to mention many green suiters.
The dignity and professionalism which the Old Guard lent to that ceremony was incredible. Even on such a sad day you could see the family swell with pride as those soldiers laid their son and brother to rest.
The horses in the caisson were beautiful, and handled with exacting precision, uniforms were spotless, and I was honored to see how much those young men added to the mystique of that most hallowed ground without diverting attention from the fallen. Rather they focused all of the attention on Mitch, and treated him with the care they would give their own.
The memory of that day and others like it are now indelible in my memory.
Thank you.
GD
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I just got goose bumps reading your post. 
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82ndtrooper is offline
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02-24-2007, 15:35
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#4
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Guerrilla Chief
Join Date: Sep 2006
Location: Ft Campbell
Posts: 555
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I'm sorry for your lose, but you right those men in that unit are awsome did you get a chance to watch the changing of the guard? I want to get a video on it to show the wife. Ive seen it myself and its hard to explain to someone thats never seen it.
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chance is offline
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02-24-2007, 17:17
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#5
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Asset
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: Fairbanks, AK
Posts: 25
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Yes I did, they do an incredible job.
__________________
"Some men are alive simply because it is against the law to kill them." -- Ed Howe
"I thoroughly disapprove of duels. If a man should challenge me, I would take him kindly and forgivingly by the hand and lead him to a quiet place and kill him. "
--Mark Twain
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Genghis_Don is offline
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02-24-2007, 18:20
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#6
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Fort Bragg, NC
Posts: 503
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You would be surprised the number of Old Guard guys in SF...
At one time at least 8 guys from the scout platoon was in...
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GreenSalsa is offline
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02-24-2007, 21:59
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#7
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Auxiliary
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 84
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The Old Gaurd
I have been privilaged to have known 2 Old Gaurd Soldiers. One had some pretty good stories about the Tomb of the Unknown. Even in such somber moments as a funeral, a wreath laying or whatnot, everytime I see them it fills me with a feeling of pride and admiration. Everytime my Wife and I go to Washington DC, Arlington is the first and last stop. I am hoping my R&R will have me home with enough time to observe Memorial Day in Washington.
__________________
Rest In Everlasting Peace to all of our Brothers who have passed.
MSG David Hurt
SSG Marvin Trost
SSG Thor Ingraham
SPC Edwin Roodhouse
PFC Nicholas Messmer
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ABN_FO is offline
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02-24-2007, 23:07
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#8
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland
Posts: 24,827
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by ABN_FO
I have been privilaged to have known 2 Old Gaurd Soldiers. One had some pretty good stories about the Tomb of the Unknown. Even in such somber moments as a funeral, a wreath laying or whatnot, everytime I see them it fills me with a feeling of pride and admiration. Everytime my Wife and I go to Washington DC, Arlington is the first and last stop. I am hoping my R&R will have me home with enough time to observe Memorial Day in Washington.
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If so, it will be a busy place, with Rolling Thunder there at the same time.
TR
__________________
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910
De Oppresso Liber 01/20/2025
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The Reaper is offline
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02-25-2007, 02:10
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#9
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Auxiliary
Join Date: Nov 2005
Location: Texas
Posts: 84
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TR,
I have been wanting to participate in Rolling Thunder, but unfortunately I cancelled my bike insurance when I left!  I hear it is something to behold!
__________________
Rest In Everlasting Peace to all of our Brothers who have passed.
MSG David Hurt
SSG Marvin Trost
SSG Thor Ingraham
SPC Edwin Roodhouse
PFC Nicholas Messmer
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ABN_FO is offline
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02-25-2007, 06:20
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#10
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Mar 2004
Location: Vermont
Posts: 3,093
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When I was a high school punk I used to spend time at Arlington and after hours would walk around the grounds with the superintendant as he related stories concerned many of the folks interred there. I was a history lesson that would shape my view of things for years to come. What was as fascinating was the constant flow of key folks of the time that dropped in to say hello to him or would come to pay respects to those with whom they had been linked by past events. Some, like JFK, would have the last respects paid to them by this very man with whom they had shared a warm hand shake or cup of coffee. Ironically, this very man, would be laid to rest in the very place he had overseen for many years by his son, who is the current superintendant.
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Wenn einer von uns fallen sollt, der Andere steht für zwei.
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Jack Moroney (RIP) is offline
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02-25-2007, 07:34
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#11
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jun 2005
Location: America, the Beautiful
Posts: 3,193
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They do a tough, and relatively thankless job, extremely well.
Thinking about the few times we pulled funeral detail while I was a lieutenant.
Even with our rehearsals, it's tough. Especially tough to present the flag to a greiving family member.
I salute their professionalism.
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Warrior-Mentor is offline
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02-25-2007, 09:21
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#12
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Quiet Professional
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Free Pineland
Posts: 24,827
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Quote:
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Originally Posted by ABN_FO
TR,
I have been wanting to participate in Rolling Thunder, but unfortunately I cancelled my bike insurance when I left! I hear it is something to behold! |
I sat in the Pentagon parking lot one year for four hours waiting for our turn to leave for the parade.
IIRC, there were 150,000 bikes and the Mall was packed.
A great time was had by all.
TR
__________________
"It is not the critic who counts; not the man who points out how the strong man stumbles, or where the doer of deeds could have done them better. The credit belongs to the man who is actually in the arena, whose face is marred by dust and sweat and blood; who strives valiantly; who errs, who comes short again and again, because there is no effort without error and shortcoming; but who does actually strive to do the deeds; who knows great enthusiasms, the great devotions; who spends himself in a worthy cause; who at the best knows in the end the triumph of high achievement, and who at the worst, if he fails, at least fails while daring greatly, so that his place shall never be with those cold and timid souls who neither know victory nor defeat." - President Theodore Roosevelt, 1910
De Oppresso Liber 01/20/2025
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The Reaper is offline
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