Jim Lewis, VN Vet/PGR Member, Columbia Hgts, MN, 27 Dec 08



Memorial Service 27 Dec 08

The day was cold, windy, and everywhere ice just as it should be on a day that we needed to show honor with the passing of such a great father, grandfather, veteran, mentor, PGR brother… friend, and so many other things.

66 PGR members staged on the church’s ice glazed parking lot, so many members there in disbelief of Jim’s passing so suddenly. Briefing was held and info on the mission was disseminated by the RCIC Doug Bley, followed by a prayer lead by Chaplain Diane. After the prayer the Pledge of Allegiance was recited by all.

The group was led to the funeral home by the NW sector ARC’s Mike, Carrie, Laurie, and Joe which positioned them into multiple flag lines. Two across the front of the building, one along the back facing the parking lot, and we asked the Vietnam Veterans to line the side entrance to the home. All members were asked to watch for and help people walking from the parking lots that may be having trouble navigating the ice (our members are much better suited for the weather and terrain then visitors in dress shoes).

We had radio contact with all four corners of the mission thanks to Mike, John Redfield, IJ, and Laurie which made it easy to manage the mission. Just had to broadcast something and everyone there knew the information within minutes. Joe and Carrie used them for the parking detail with Joe calling out how many spaces were available.

Some of the visitors needed to park across the street in the church lot near our vehicles. Dave W, Diane, and another member set a line of sight line for the visitors giving them a visual set of directions to get into the lot. It was pretty neat to see visitors following the flags through the neighborhood without anyone even telling them to. Blind trust in seeing the flag being held by a biker, go figure.

The funeral home director (Kelly) was very obliging and had a warming area and coffee available for us. Doug asked if we could donated for the coffee and he was told that “We are Swedish and always have coffee for guests” and Doug’s reply was “I am German and we expect to pay for our coffee” I think Kelly won because the coffee was free.

Once visitation started there seemed to be a steady stream of visitors, Joe Egan and Carrie Wahl stepped in and started helping visitors park. Their system worked well, Joe would stand in a open spot with his flag and Carrie would just tell the next person to go to the flag.

Members stood the flag line for a little over 3 hours taking breaks as needed. 12:45 all the PGR members lined single file through the funeral home, each taking a moment to stop at the side of Jim’s casket to say their last respects. I was last in line, when I stepped up to Jim there were many Never Forget beads in with him that PGR members had placed as they showed their respects. I could only look for a moment before needing to close my eyes and bow my head, where were my sunglasses when I needed them.

Doug presented Judy and the rest of Jim’s family a 3x5 canvas US flag that had been folded by PGR members in honor of Jim’s service as a PGR member.

The PGR stood down while the services were in session, many of them downstairs listening intensely to the services over the speaker system. The Native American ceremony with the drums and chanting was rather soothing on the soul as I listened.

As we staged one of the men performing the ceremony stopped by and told Doug that they didn’t want to step on our toes by being there. Doug let them know that we are not territorial and were honored to be there with them as brothers.

As the services concluded the PGR members reassembled surrounding the hearse and lining the driveway. Everyone stood at attention as Jim’s casket was loaded into it. Once the family returned indoors the PGR was dismissed.

(@) Picture of Jimmy

(@) PGR National Thread

It was a good day to be a Patriot Guard and I was honored to be there for Jim’s family with so many good people standing with me. Thank you all for the success of this mission.

Jimmy, I am proud to have you as a friend,

Tim Leonhardt

Internment 15 MAY 09

85 PGR members gathered today to Honor the Life and Service of Jim Lewis, Viet Nam Veteran, PGR Member. Most commonly known as "Irish" in our PGR circles. 12 PGR Members Escorted Jim and his Family & Friends from his house in St. Paul to Fort Snelling National Cemetery. 73 PGR members gathered at the staging location and shared memories and stories of our time with Irish. After our mission briefing we headed to Fort Snelling National Cemetery. After a brief delay in the assembly area we set our flagline for the families arrival.

With Bags pipe playing, the sun shining, Jim Lewis was given a fitting service and laid to rest with his brothers and sisters in arms. Jim's son Sean was presented with the condolences left on the National PGR Mission Forum. Sean surprised us with a remembrance patch in honor of Jim. Each PGR member that attended today was given the opportunity to get one.

Following the post mission debrief, 16 PGR members met at the Richfield Legion for fellowship.

Rest in Peace Irish, you will be missed, but not forgotten.

Respectively Submitted
--
"Soldierboy"
Rick Williams
SE Metro Ride Captain