Spc. Jacob J. Fairbanks, 22



The Visitation

We had over 45 Patriot Guard members gathered to stand proud and hold the flagline to honor this great young warrior at the funeral home located on St Paul's east side. Parking was at a premium as the lot soon filled quickly with family and friends all coming together to honor Jacob. The family extended an invitation for us all to enter and pay our respects to their lost Hero and brave Native American Warrior, and many of us did. It didn't take long and it was clear that we needed to help out here and direct traffic and assist with patrons crossing busy Maryland Ave. Members sprung into action almost as though no words needed to be spoken, we just knew what needed to be done for the family and to help however we could during this difficult time.

As night fell upon us the constant passing of cars that drove by with several honking their horns giving a thumbs up or a wave which was in their own way acknowledging their respect for Jacob. One of the young funeral directors had even approached me and asked if it was a sign of people being disrespectful by honking as they drove by the funeral home, as this was obviously something he had not experienced here before. I told him, not at all, they see the American flag and they know that a soldier has given his all for that flag, they just can't say so. So they honk, to let all know standing there and inside, they know that a sacrifice has been made and they respect the soldier and our great flag.

As the visitation neared the end for the night, Jacob's wife Dwan, requested that we all stay as she wanted to take a picture of us all for her to remember. At about 8:30pm we all gathered under the car port as the last of the family was soon to leave for the night. Jabob's mother came out of the funeral home to leave and as she walked out the doors she stopped and looked at us all as we stood. With tears rolling down her cheeks, she thanked us all for being there and expressed how much it meant to her and her family that we were there. Before Jacob's mom left she also said something that Deb and I will never forget, she said that she felt so safe inside during the evening with us here. I don't know about you, but for Deb and I that made us feel good to hear that this mother, the mother who's son had made a sacrifice by standing for us and our country, could feel safe while we stood for him as she mourned her loss.

After Jacob's mother left it was pretty quiet as I think everyone standing there was pretty glassy eyed and thinking about her words. Soon Jacob's wife and children came out and emotions were flowing as she too thanked us for being there for her. Her good friend Christi asked if we could gather for a group picture. As we huddled together it seemed to be kind of an awkward moment trying to squeeze us all in for a picture, until a large man named SSgt. Gabriel took charge of the camera and told us all that he used to be a drill sgt. and that the back row better settle down for this picture. It was the perfect moment we all needed to let out a little laughter and have smiles on our faces. Dwan, Jacob's wife and her friend couldn't help but laugh as they too needed some relief after this long difficult night of emotions. Pictures were taken and we all hugged Dwan an emotional goodnight as our night had come to the end.

The Funeral

Before Deb and I left the house I made a quick call to St Paul PD just to give them an heads up just in case anyone in the nearby neighborhood near the church called them to report a biker infestation. I also asked if they had a squad available maybe they could help us get out of the BP station onto Maryland. Well when Deb and I showed up at the BP station, an hour later, there were at least 30 bikes there and to our surprise a fleet of St. Paul's finest Motor Cycle Police officers. Their support for us was so appreciated by everyone as we spent time talking with the officers and checking out there bikes. They even let Deb and Ron sit on the bikes for some pictures and I think they let Ron play with the lights! Deb said when she got on the bike she swung her leg easily up and over the back trunk of the bike and sat down. The officer quickly corrected her saying "no, no, we are not nearly that limber to do that, here is how you have to get on, it was a good laugh.

It was time for us to mount up as the briefing had been done and St.Paul's bike brigade was waiting in the street for us. With the thunder of over 40 bikes running, Deb and I were ready to enter the street behind our fine escorts and head to the church. As we inched forward we looked to the left to see a black shiny Cadillac followed by the honored chariot that carried Spc. Jacob J. Fairbanks.cross over White Bear Ave. I leaped off my bike and ran to the waiting car asking the director if we could have the honor of leading Jacob to his church. We both kind of looked at each other as I think we both knew the answer, there was definitely a higher power that made the decision for this meeting to happen as this was not planned. In fact later the funeral director had planned to take a different route to the church but for some reason changed his mind. We quickly moved into position with St. Paul's finest in front blocking the intersections followed by the Patriot Guard leading the Hero Warrior to the house of God. As we came down the street some family members were outside the church to see this honor guard proudly escorting their loved one to them.

We wasted no time after the bikes were parked setting the flag line with the 47 members there standing proud and tall to honor Jacob. As the church filled and the start of the service was near Christi, Dwans best friend, approached Deb and I with a big request. She said that Dwans younger son had an accident with his dress shirt and they were going to be meeting the Governor soon, and was there anyway we could get a kids dress shirt for her. We sprung into action and sent Ron Reineke shopping at the local Target for a shirt. We would have loved to of seen the look on the check out girls face when Ron came thru the line. I mean this big biker looking dude dressed in black leather buying a kids size 6 dress shirt? I think she even told him it wouldn't fit. Ron soon made it back to the church riding his steel horse like the pony express delivering the shirt on time.

Before the service began it was decided that we would present the Patriot Guard Plaques to the families. Deb and I decided that leadership present this day had all been part of giving plaques to other families so we wanted to include some general members. We picked two members, although it was not easy as there were many that had attended several missions in the past. We wanted to let them be a part of giving the plaque and expressing their gratitude to this family for their sacrifice. Also thanks to Glenn Stangler one of our members who again brought a single red rose for us to give to Jacob's wife and mother.

The service began and the main group was briefed and dismissed to head to IKEA. Once again St.Paul's finest Motorcycle cops came to our assistance and the group of cars and bikes that went to IKEA had a complete VIP escort with the lights, bells and whistles all the way there.

The service ended and it was time to escort this soldier home to his final resting place. We left with a small group of Patriot Guard leading this Warrior and his family to the place where many past Warriors lay in rest. As we rode now only a short distance from the end of Jacob's journey the Warrior God's began to cry, we were wet with those tears and some of our own. We entered Ft. Snelling to see many Patriot Guard members standing tall holding that beautiful American flag as it snapped to attention. The tear drops from the sky's above were both of sadness and joy on this day. Sadness for the family as they had to say goodbye to their lost loved one, the joy as Jacob would be able to rest in peace with the heavenly father.

We stood silently holding our flags as the final interment proceeded and the family gathered around the shelter. With the rain and cold wind blowing the 21 gun salute cracked out the shots of honor. And once again, as I have said before, that all to familiar sound of the bugler playing Taps. One thing I have always noticed out there is the deafening roar of the Jet planes that are constantly taking off from the nearby airport, it seems to dominate the sound in my ears until this moment. When the bugler plays that sad song of Taps it seems to cut through the air and all the noise of those jet planes. All I hear is that bugler playing Taps, and I think about that soldier laying there and what he was willing to give for Deb and I and our country, through our blurred vision Taps is all we can hear. God bless Jacob J. Fairbanks and his family.

-- Jeff & Deb Good
NE Metro Ride Captains

(@) Pictures from mission

(@) PGR National Thread

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