Mission
Report
 

MSgt. Daniel L. Fedder, 34, Pine City, MN, 05,06,07 SEP 10



Honor Transfer, Sunday:
MSgt Daniel Fedder arrived at the Mpls/StP Int. airport on Sunday Sept 5th. Along with US Marine Corps members and family, 107 Patriot Guard Riders were there to meet him. PGR motorcycles then escorted him to Pine City where another group of over 40 Patriot Guard Riders met him at the Armory. The casket would remain there for the next two days with the constant presence of USMC Honor Guard.

Visitation, Monday:
The afternoon was blustery at best. Cold rain, wind and whatever else Mother Nature could whip up did not keep 98 Patriot Guard Riders from standing our flagline of honor for this true American hero. They came from all over the state to gather in front of the Pine City Armory, holding their flags against the wind. An awesome sight as the family arrived. Inside, as the family members were all seated in the front row, the Blue Star Mom’s made their presentation. The Pine City mayor then offered condolences from the entire community for the loss of their own local hero. It was then our turn to present the family with our MNPGR plaque and challenge coins, and express our honor for being there and our sorrow for their sacrifice and loss.

There was a large turnout throughout the evening for MSgt Fedder. Outside we helped with parking, and tried to stay warm and dry. With about a half an hour to go the lightning and thunder started. I went in to ask the CACO if it would be ok to move the remaining members inside or possibly dismiss. We checked with MSgt Fedder’s mother and she honored us by asking if we would come in and show our respects. The thirty or so members still there moved to the back door of the armory. We walked in single file across the back of the armory to the flag draped casket. We each paused and thanked MSGT Fedder for his service and ultimate sacrifice, and then slowly exited the armory.

Funeral, Tuesday:
The morning was about the same as the evening before but with more wind and a bit cooler. 75 MNPGR again set up a flagline at the Pine City Armory. Attendance by mourners was huge and our parking duties were again put to task. Apparently we are good at this as the local sheriff’s deputies gave praise to our performance and didn’t feel the need to take over. We were then asked by the FBI to help stage their entourage of vehicles coming up for the procession. Five bomb squad trucks from Mpls, St. Paul police and other agency’s along with FBI SUV’s and two Pine City fire trucks staged alongside the PGR bikes. The bomb squads came to honor MSgt Fedder’s brotherhood in the bomb disposal community as that was his Marine Corps job.

As the service started we left behind the eight escort riders and left for the cemetery about a mile and a half away. We had LEO escort and as we rode up main street through town we could see the community was preparing for the funeral procession. Towns’ people were starting to line the street with flags, and large flags were hanging from fire dept ladder trucks.

With our flagline in place and USMC Honor Guard at attention the funeral procession arrived at the cemetery. With family and friends gathered around the grave site, we all saluted as rifles cracked and taps played as MSGT Daniel Fedder was laid to rest.
I want to pass on the thanks from the family. They told me it was a comfort and honor to have us there. And the many thanks from the Marines there who said they love what we do. I want to thank all leadership there who helped with this mission, and especially our members standing the flagline for their long hours. For that’s what our mission is all about. The flagline is what the family sees. It’s what gives them the comfort and support and somehow I hope helps them through these hardest of days.

(@) PGR National Thread

Respectfully,

Larry Myslicki “Slick”
Ride Captain, Metro NE
MN Patriot Guard Rider