Through a connection on MarineParents, we were invited to ride with the Honorary Grand Marshal, Sgt Trevor Johnson USMC, KIA Afganistan, January 27th 2009, at Colstrip MT. I have to share this with my friends on Ranchers, it was an experience I will never forget. Ever.
Old Glory lead the way
Delta Co, Billings Reserve, USMC
Uncles, cousins, sister and neice ready to escort our wagon
The team of mares pulling our wagon brought their colts along
The reason Marines do what they do, small town America. You could see those Marines get taller when the crowd clapped and cheered them. Then they all got quiet when our wagon passed by.
Following the parade, a memorial ceremony was held at the city park and it was standing room only. Flags from the White house were presented to the family as well as plaques and a letter from Trevors Captain, with Delta Co at attention.
After several speeches, they retired his baseball jersey, putting it in a display along with his Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and pictures of him being who he was
There was an AirForce fly over, more speeches and then they renamed the baseball field
The ceremony ended with the Marine Corps Hymn and these grunts in front of us must have just got out of boot camp casue they snapped to and took the position so fast it was funny
And as is my custom, I shake the hand of every Marine I see cause I know what they have done to earn the EGA and what they are going to be doing for us. That shirt I have on was given to me by the 2/3 Weapons Co and on it are the names of their brothers KIA on their first tour in Iraq, I thought it only appropriate for them to be along on this ride
What a day this turned out to be. Even though I have never met this young man or his family until this day, as his mother put it, "We have so much in common and our sons will forever be brothers" pretty much said it all
Old Glory lead the way
Delta Co, Billings Reserve, USMC
Uncles, cousins, sister and neice ready to escort our wagon
The team of mares pulling our wagon brought their colts along
The reason Marines do what they do, small town America. You could see those Marines get taller when the crowd clapped and cheered them. Then they all got quiet when our wagon passed by.
Following the parade, a memorial ceremony was held at the city park and it was standing room only. Flags from the White house were presented to the family as well as plaques and a letter from Trevors Captain, with Delta Co at attention.
After several speeches, they retired his baseball jersey, putting it in a display along with his Bronze Star, Purple Heart, and pictures of him being who he was
There was an AirForce fly over, more speeches and then they renamed the baseball field
The ceremony ended with the Marine Corps Hymn and these grunts in front of us must have just got out of boot camp casue they snapped to and took the position so fast it was funny
And as is my custom, I shake the hand of every Marine I see cause I know what they have done to earn the EGA and what they are going to be doing for us. That shirt I have on was given to me by the 2/3 Weapons Co and on it are the names of their brothers KIA on their first tour in Iraq, I thought it only appropriate for them to be along on this ride
What a day this turned out to be. Even though I have never met this young man or his family until this day, as his mother put it, "We have so much in common and our sons will forever be brothers" pretty much said it all
