Nineteen Patriot Guard Riders from North Dakota and Minnesota paid respects to US Air Force Veteran, and Commander of the White Earth Veterans Association, David (Dave) L. Murray.

Mission briefing was held at 10:30 and flag line was formed inside the Sports Complex at 11:00. We were honored to be named as Honorary Pallbearers along side the Honor Guards from White Earth, Leech Lake, and Red Lake Reservations. Flag line was established on the back wall and sides of the gym floor for the service. At the conclusion of the service, a military roll call was performed with the names of each person of the 3 Tribal Honor Guards and each member of the Patriot Guard in attendance. When our name was called, we responded with "Here Sergeant". Dave's name was called 3 times and after the 3rd time, one of the Honor Guard called out "He has gone to his great Commander in the sky". At the conclusion of the Roll Call, the 3 Honor Guards and PGR members were lined up to each walk individually up and render a hand salute to Dave.

The PGR proceeded with the 3 Tribal Honor Guards out to the cemetary to be ready for the internment ahead of the family. The Family arrived and walked between the Tribal Flag bearers to native drums and singing. A Native flute player played taps, and a 21 gun salute was rendered. At the conclusion of the internment service, Dave's son-in-law gave each member of the Tribal Honor Guards and each member of the PGR tabacco, and each in turn, we sprinkled the tabacco on the casket in accordance with customs and traditions. The Honor Guards and PGR where called to attention after the family had left to render a last hand salute to Dave. PGR stood the flag line until all had departed from the cemetary. When we arrived at the cemetary, a young boy asked me why we were all carrying the US flag - I explained that it was to pay respects to David as a veteran - he thought that was pretty neat.

We were invited back to a meal. As PGR, we usually don't attend, but in this case, we were asked to come back and share the meal for Dave and we all participated. Tony Krogh from the Fargo Sector presented Dave's wife, Donna, with a ND PGR Patch on behalf of the ND PGR; Larry Hynding presented Donna with a MN PGR Patch and I presented her with one of our bead sets "Never Forget" and "Dignity, Honor, Respect" on behalf of the MN PGR. Donna told us that Dave loved the PGR and would have been so happy we were there to honor him, his life, and his service to our country. We told her it was our honor to be able to do that for Dave.

Outside the Sports Complex after the meal, a young boy asked me "where are all the motorcycles" and we explained that it was a bit cold to be riding them today. He said he had been in Mahnomen when the PGR helped bring the Moving Wall in August. I think he was disappointed that he didn't get to see any motorcycles, but said he was glad we were there anyway.

We were also told by the White Earth Veterans Association members numerous times that we now have 70 new brothers and sisters, and we assured them that the feeling was mutual and we couldn't ask for a better family.

Thank you to all who were able to attend today, and thank you to all our members for what you do for our soldiers and veterans. Today was another day that we gave a family some small measure of comfort by being there and holding our flags to thank a veteran for his service to our country and to pay respects to a Hero.

(@) PGR National Thread

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Karla Richardson
Ride Captain, Detroit Lakes Sector
Minnesota Patriot Guard