George Brzezinski, Veteran, North St. Paul, MN, 13 APR 10

It was raining, thunder was rumbling and lightning was flashing across the sky. Fourteen dedicated Patriot Guard members came out this dreary morning to honor a World War Two Navy Veteran. We even had two members come all the way from River Falls, WI. One on her first mission. And to show the common sense of our members, no motorcycles were ridden.

We gathered this morning to show our respect to a hero from long ago, and to show that we must not forget these veterans that gave so much of their lives in a war so many years ago. George Brzezinski served in the US Navy from February 1943 to April 1946. He was 89 years old. He left a wife, Rosemary and three sons.

We had our flag line set at the entrance to St. Peter’s Catholic Church in N. St. Paul as light rain fell. The family arrived and extended a hand of thanks and gratitude to each one of us. I was told later that Rosemary was overcome with emotion as she turned back and looked upon our flags waving in the rain in honor of her husband.

We stood our ground as the rain intensified and the sky rumbled and flashed even more.

I was about to move everyone closer to the doors, which offered a slight shelter from the downpour, when we were invited to come inside. The church had a wide and roomy common area that provided a very respectful space along both sides for our flag line. Four of us remained outside the entrance. When the Mass started and the family walked alongside their loved one into the church sanctuary we stood down. The church offered us a conference room to wait in and provided us hot coffee.

When the service was over they carried this war veteran out to the funeral coach. Our flag line awaited as he passed by deserving of all the honor we could afford. As people went to their cars to start the funeral procession we moved our flag line to both sides of the drive leading away from the church. The entire procession passed through the corridor of flags, led by this veteran, this hero, as we showed our respect, and honored him with a finale salute for his great service to this country of ours. Thank you George.

And a thank you to all Patriot Guard members present this day.

(@) PGR National Thread

Respectfully,

Larry Myslicki “Slick”
NE Metro ARC
Patriot Guard Rider