SGT. Eduviges G. Wolf, 24, Mitchell, SD, 01, 02, 03 NOV 09



_{Debrief of multiple missions for the funeral of Sgt. Eduviges “Duvi” Wolf}

On Sunday morning, November 1st at 9:30, eighteen PGR members formed two lines, facing each other on the airport tarmac, between the plane carrying Sgt. Wolf and the hearse waiting to take her to Bittner Funeral Chapel. We stood at attention without flags. The Honor Guard waited with us in the crisp, sunny morning air as the crew of the chartered aircraft readied the vertical lift that would remove the casket from the plane. The family members waited in a group by the terminal building.

When ready, the six-man Honor Guard picked up the flag-draped coffin to the command, “Present Arms”. The veterans saluted and the non-vets held their caps over their hearts and Sgt. Wolf was carried between us to the hearse. We then closed ranks on each side of the hearse and walked along side until we reached our bikes parked in two lines on either side of the road. A police car lead out as thirteen flag-clad bikes, trikes, and two cages lead the slow procession.

Traffic in opposing lanes pulled over and stopped, showing respect, even on the other side of a four-lane divided road. A woman, who we later found out was a Gold Star Mother, held an American Flag up in her hands as we passed by. We were only just notified the prior afternoon when Duvi would be coming home, yet a Gold Star Mom knew.

We pulled our bikes into the funeral chapel parking lot as the hearse drove into the garage entrance. Stand down. Most of us headed for a restaurant for coffee and something to eat after securing our flags and gear. We were surprised to find that Duvi’s husband, Josh, and her family were seated at the same restaurant. Some of us welcomed them to South Dakota, but conceded that under the circumstances, we would try our best to do whatever we could. State Captain, Jim Lentsch, approached the manager and asked that we receive their check. They wouldn’t be paying for anything while we were there.

Monday, November 2nd at 4:00 pm, ten bikes and riders formed an escort for the hearse lead by the Hansen County Sheriff. We again started our slow procession through town, side-by-side. More people had been made aware, by now, of what was happening in their city. More folks were out on the street, and cars pulled over to a stop, out of respect for a fallen Hero, a 24-year-old mother of two small daughters, an American Soldier. As we left Mitchell and headed east on highway 38, down the hill, over the James River, starting up the hill, there was that same pickup truck with that same Gold Star Mom holding her flag. This is very hard; I’m glad I’m wearing sunglasses.

Two-lane highway now, the twelve miles to Alexandria, SD. Stagger the bikes, speed up to 35 mph and hold. The street in front of the of the church is blocked off so we line up the bikes in the middle of the street. Flags on re-bar line the sidewalk. The hearse stops at the curb. Three soldiers and the funeral director ask if six of our Patriot Guard members would carry Sgt. Wolf’s flag draped coffin into the church. Five South Dakotans and one Ride Captain from Cherokee, Iowa, who made the almost 200 mile ride for a 12 mile escort mission, received that distinct honor. Stand down.

Tuesday, November 3rd 9:30 am. Bikes continue to arrive at the staging area, some cages. At least a half-dozen are Minnesota PGR members; some more are from the Iowa PGR. It’s just above freezing, light rain with sleet on and off, south wind is kicking over 20 mph. It looks sunny in the west, moving our way.

The Hansen County Sheriff once again leads us out. Twenty bikes, thirty Patriot Guard Riders, without borders, park across the street from the church and form the flag line behind the bikes and along the church sidewalk. Two Vietnam Veterans post at the rear of the hearse until it’s ready to leave. When the church is full and the funeral service begins we stand down for a while and take shelter near a wooden privacy fence to get out of the wind.

The bikes are pushed into position so as not to disrupt the loved ones inside the church. Five bikes in a missing-man formation will lead the rest of the funeral procession.

The flag line is set again. The Honor Guard carries Sgt. Wolf down the steps of the church and to the waiting hearse. The sound of Red, White, and Blue Flags wiping in the wind is the only thing to hear as we stand to honor this young Soldier who like so many others has paid the ultimate cost for Freedom in service to our country; God Speed Sgt. Eduviges “Duvi” Wolf.

The escort of the funeral procession to Farmer, SD is about sixteen miles. We ride side by side for the first three miles heading north. We turn east and have to lean into the south wind. Stagger the bikes and slowly accelerate to 35 mph and try to hold. Turn north again for the last few miles. Pavement ends, but the dirt road is firm. We can see the row of flag poles on re-bar that were set earlier that morning to line the roadside of the cemetery. The hearse enters the cemetery as the bikes are parked, flags distributed and the flag line is set. The wind makes it hard to hear what is being said at the graveside. The folding of the flag, twenty-one gun salute, taps. A General reads the citations for the Purple Heart Medal and the Bronze Star Metal. We silently hold the line until the last of the family return to their vehicles and drive away. Stand down, mission accomplished.

The Lord Bless the family of Sgt. Duvi Wolf and grant that her memory will live on for generation to come. We will never forget.

On the front of her funeral program it reads,

“A Mother holds her children’s hands for a while… their hearts forever”.

(@) Mitchell Daily Republic Link

(@) PGR National Thread

Gary Saxhaug
Asst. State Captain, East River
S.D. Patriot Guard Riders