Spc. Matthew Johnson, US Army, July 23, 2010



115 Patriot Guard Riders came out for this young soldier who lost his life in Afghanistan. They came out also for the family, to show support and honor their sacrifice. I thank them all for being there.

With a last minute decision by the family, the evening before the service, requesting a PGR escort from funeral home to chapel, we scrambled to put together riders for this honor. The family, not having any previous exposure to the Patriot Guard, was a bit hesitant for our presence. As we rode up together to the funeral home that morning, positioning ourselves behind the lead funeral car, the family came out to see. We got to meet them and gave our condolences. They were very appreciative, and thanked us for being there and said Matthew would have enjoyed the sight of the bikes and flags in his honor. I told them I believed he was in deed looking down on all of us this day. And very appropriately so, we followed Johnson Parkway as part of the route to the chapel.

Across town Tim Leonhardt was handling the staging and briefing at the Fort Snelling chapel. I thank him for the great job of getting the flag line set up there and at the cemetery.

As we arrived with the funeral procession our first glimpse of the flags was from the adjacent freeway. The lump started forming in my throat. As we got to the bridge lined with flags, and then the parking lot and front of the chapel, my pride in this group was overwhelming. I’m glad I didn’t have to speak to anyone immediately. And I have been to a lot of missions. It never gets routine.

Our quiet and respectful tribute to this fallen hero also overwhelmed the family and friends. Matthew’s father would later tell me of the conversations in the cars as they approached the chapel with all the flags and people there. Always know that what we do does make a difference to these families in that they are not alone in their loss. As he could not get to everyone he wanted me to convey his sincerest thanks to all of our members for being there.

As the service started Tim moved everyone to Fort Snelling National Cemetery, a few miles away, and set up the flagline at the shelter there. At the end of the service at the chapel, the remaining escorts reformed a flagline as our young hero was carried to the hearse for his final ride. We then rode with the procession to the cemetery where another impressive line of flags awaited. Also attending were many from his unit, the 27th Engineer Battalion (Combat Airborne), 20th Engineer Brigade (Combat).

Specialist Matthew Johnson was given full military honors and laid to rest. We thank him for his service, and final sacrifice.

Larry Myslicki “Slick”
Ride Captain, NE Metro