SGT Jonathon A. Manea Mission Report



With less than 24 hours notice, we had 29 members from literally all over the state of Minnesota show up to stand on the flag line. We stood from 0900 till 1100 when the services started, then we retired to the shade. We reformed at 1200 for the end of the service. At 1230 while friends and family mingled in the parking lot, we quietly walked single file back to our bikes, broke down our flags and departed to grab a bite to eat and cool down. At 1330 we departed Rice, MN and all but 6 motorcycles rode to Sauk Rapids and formed a flag line at the cemetery. At 1430 the 6 motorcycle escorts and funeral procession arrived at the cemetery. At 1530 we slowly moved the flag line backwards and into the shade where we remained until the family left the cemetery.

While standing at the church it was hot in the sun. After suggesting members shed their vests and passing out water, it was better. And standing in the sun at the cemetery was hot. Afterwards, my wife commented that isn't it 120 in the sandbox during the day and aren't our young men and women in full battle gear when they go out on patrols? I guess it really wasn't that hot after all.

Every mission has a special event that defines it as unique. This mission had 2 such events.

As we stood on the flag line and as friends arrived for the funeral services eagles started to appear above us. As more of the friends arrived, the more eagles did also. First 4, then 7 eagles, then more friends arrived. Now there were 12 eagles, more friends and 18 eagles.

Jonathon’s mother, father, brothers, and relatives arrived and gathered in the parking lot. By the time Jonathon’s whole family arrived, there were 22 eagles soaring above. In its self it was an awesome sight, but there was one more defining event. As Jonathon’s family went into the church, the eagles disappeared.
( Joe Egan did a little research on eagles. The presence of eagles at funeral dates back to the time of the Romans where they let eagles fly from the funeral pyre of a deceased emperor believing it would bear the god’s soul to heaven

Eagles represent courage and freedom and are a natural enemy of the serpent. They are depicted as the bird that carries a person from danger up to a safe place….I will bring you up on eagle’s wing )

The second memorable event was that Tim Leonhardt- NW Metro RC had some patriotic Beanie Babies which he carefully presented to each of the 4 young children of SGT Jonathon Manea. Watching each child accept the gift and continually hug it while they remained outside was difficult to watch. But when it came time for them to go inside, the E9 standing with the ex-wife and children must have asked them to step inside, the 2 1/2 year old son looked up at that big E9 with awe in his eyes and quietly reached up and grabbed a hold of the soldiers hand, actually just the index finger was all that would fit in his small hand, and proceeded to walk inside. Those who witnessed it, well we all must have all gotten dust in our eyes at that moment.

(@) PGR National Thread

God Bless SGT Manea's family in their time of grief. Know that we will never forget the sacrifice made by your son, brother, and father.

Respectfully submitted,
--
George H Winslow, Jr.