John L. Fremling, 79, Aitkin, MN

The day started out with slippery roads due to rain and snow the day before. Most everyone met at the Roadside restaurant before staging time to have breakfast. They do have the best pancakes ever! And they are huge! 2 people can get full off of one! Right Doc B!!? Thank you to Cory and the staff for the free coffee, it was much appreciated! The owners are supportive of the PG.

There were 14 PGR's that came, and no motorcycles. I think it is winter now. :(

New ARC Broph did the briefing, the Pledge, and Pastor Chuck said the prayer. Broph talked about John Fremling a bit since they were very close. He had made a beautiful folder to give to Vicki, John's widow, and we all signed it. We left for the church, and established the flagline, with Roger and RJ out on the highway. I think Roger was showing his legs or something because people kept honking as they went by. :)

When the family arrived a few minutes later, we presented Vicki with her folder and a flag and asked her to fly it from us in John's memory. John was an active member of the community and very well known. The church was packed with people spilling out of the main room to sit in the fellowship hall and listen over the loudspeakers.

We stood the flagline from 9:45 AM to 12:05 AM, then stood down during the funeral. While we were on the line, Pete Prudhomme (thanks for coming down Pete and Mary!) mentioned that it was starting to feel like Duluth on the last mission up there. The wind jumped up to 30 mile an hour gusts. It got a little chilly! I handed out some handwarmers to those who wanteed them. RJ was in training for leaving that day to snowmbile in Montana so he didn't want handwarmers, he just toughed it out! The church had provided us a warming room and when we stood down we went in and they had pots of coffee and a plate of cookies in there for us. That was really nice and the coffee was so welcome!

Ten minutes before the funeral ended, we re-assembled in the entry hall outside the chapel. SInce there was no casket, the Honor Guard just went outside the front doors and did the gun salute. We had four people on doors holding them open so everyone could hear. Then one of the Honor Guard played taps in the entryway. It is the first time I have heard it inside a building and it just seemmed to echo across the walls, and in our hearts. We stood with hands on hearts and those formerly in the military saluted as the family came out after Taps and went into the fellowship hall for lunch. We stood until most of the people either left or went in the hall.

There were a lot of people I knew there (I used to live in Aitkin) and I was amazed that no one knew who the Patriot Guard was! They thought we were with the honor guard. I am happy to say that they do now!

It was a great mission, although somewhat cold. I believe I heard Mike say he was heading for the store to get warmer clothing!

We all went up to the VFW for the post mission gathering. We want to thank Larry and Karen at the VFW for always being there with fresh hot coffee, and for just giving it to us! Larry (the Commander) is on the Honor Guard and has said that he sees us in the cold and wants to help. They are so nice! If anyone is in Aitkin, you should stop out there and say hi! It is just a little post, but they have big hearts!

I liked this mission because it was upbeat. The family knew John was with the Lord, and they celebrated his life. There was not a lot of heavy sadness, there was hope for the future and for seeing each other again after this life. What a great display of faith!

(@) Pictures from mission

(@) PGR National Thread

Thank you to all of you who braved the wind and cold. You make me proud to be part of this organization. And Broph: You did a great job with your first briefing! Thank you for helping set this up at the church.

Respectfully,

Starr Marshall
Brainerd RC
MN Patriot Guard/Patriot Guard Riders