Arvin Hilson, 8, WWII Vet, Mahtomedi, MN 12 Sep 09

Arvin knew about the Patriot Guard and what our group stood for. He respected and thought highly of our mission. So on this hazy Saturday morning Arvin was smiling down as 20 PGR members rode in to pay honor to this WWII Vet and member of The Greatest Generation. Arvin was an Army veteran serving from 1942 to 1946 and did serve in Germany.

We set our flag line from the doors of the church outward. Arvin’s daughter and grandson came around to every member thanking us for being there and told us how proud her dad would have been to see these flags flying for him.

As the service started we stood down for a while then had to move to the side of the church. I was concerned we would be a distraction to the service as we had to pass by the church windows. We did have some pine trees for cover but did walk single file and very quietly. A family member later told me the congregation could see the tops of our flags as we passed by down the path. What a wonderful sight she said it was as it brought a lump to her throat.

We reformed at the side of the church along a path leading to the Columbarium (a place for the respectful and usually public storage of cremation urns). This was just outside the church in a patio like setting and was a very beautiful and peaceful place. Other PGR members lined up around the semi-circle facing the brick wall where the ashes would be interred. Arvin’s wife had passed away a year earlier after 60 years of marriage and she now joined him in their final resting place.

Two members of the American Legion did the folded flag presentation and were to do Taps. But in this age of fewer real buglers and recorded electronic bugles the inevitable was about to happen. When the “bugler” was given his cue he was fumbling with the on/off switch as every eye was upon him. The electronic gremlins had struck. I felt sad for the family and friends as Arvin did not get Taps played for him but also embarrassment for the Legionnaires as they apologized and walked away. Valarie, Arvin’s daughter, later would say that her dad was probably up there laughing as the “bugler” was attempting to get the thing working.

Larry Myslicki ‘Slick’
NE Metro ARC
MN Patriot Guard Rider