I contacted his son Doug, who is in the Ohio PGR, but not very active he said, He gave me some facts and I contacted the Funeral home and spoke to Trisha - who did not know anything about us, she was new and had not worked with the Patriot Guard before. Trisha was however very cooperative.

When I got to the S.A. on the corner at 7:50AM there were already 5 members there - We had more pull in as I was filling up with Gas, and still more as we gathered over a the funeral home. We held the briefing at 8:20 with 15 members present, and Set the Flag line at 8:30AM. Doug Bullman and his sister, and I believe a brother, came over to thank each of us and told us it meant a lot. P.O.1st C. Bullman had been aware of the PGR - both from his son being in it and our previous mission there and had asked the funeral home and his son to ask us to be there. I guess he knew the end was near and made some of the arrangements. He asked for the full escort to Ft. Snelling and the Flag line there I am told. I made arrangements for about 5 of us to escort the hearse to Ft. Snelling a couple of people that were familiar with the area leading and I would be right in front of the Hearse with my flags flying - I had explained the 35 mile an hour rule to the Funeral Home (Trisha) and she assured me they would take it easy.

When the escort company they had hired showed up we were informed that the hearse would go first - the escort companies insurance would not let them work it any other way. This was a surprise as I had worked with this company before. We are of course flexible. At that point I told the other 5 members that wanted to be part of the escort to head to FSNC and I would take spot directly behind the hearse with the flags. The son was very appreciative and understanding. Ron Reineke bought up the rear and Trisha drove the hearse to the FSNC averaging about 25 mph the whole way. I felt the tribute of having the flags escort P.O.1st.C Bullman to the cemetery was just as effective with me behind the hearse as in front of it and it certainly made it easier on me to follow rather than try to lead a hearse when they will only go 25 - 30 miles an hour.

Indian John had the flag line set a the cemetery as we pulled in and it was a beautiful site to see the flags as you come in with the family. For those that have never seen it as the family does it is inspiring.

After the brief service a the Graveside we were invited to North St. Paul VFW for lunch with the family - I did inform him that we didn't do that but he was kind of insistent so I told him I would leave it up to the members.

Doug Bullman told me that as a PGR member he had been to a few missions but that he did not understand what it meant to the family until he was on the other side of the fence as the family. Choking up he told me that he would certainly make it a point to be more involved in his Ohio PGR now that he understood how important it was.

Bottom line is that what we do matters - every time we do it.

Trisha from the Funeral Home made it a point to also thank us and told me that it was a real inspiration to work with the PGR.

On my way home at a stop sign a cement truck pulled up next to me and the Driver yelled down, "Thanks for taking care of our Vets!" - We never know who we are going to have an effect on. I would have liked to be able to talk to that driver just to know how he knew of PGR . On the way to the funeral home a Soldier pulled up next to me on 35E and honked at me - gave me a thumbs up. More and more people know who we are and what we do - it means something to them.

I believe Indian John will add more as his part at FSNC was different.

John Redfield