Riding With Respect

"Just one rider Standing the Flag line The right thing to do"

While photographing a funeral yesterday at Arlington National Cemetery, I was struck by the silent dignity, strength and compasion shown by the small group of men and women of the Patriot Guard Riders who show up at every funeral of an active duty member of the Armed Forces. Certainly in this City of suits and uniforms they do not look like the average citizen. To some they may even look slightly scarry. But let me tell you as I have met and talked to a number of them this past year and watched the way suffering family members draw strength from their presence, the only thing scarry to me is that their numbers are so few.

If I had only one wish for this next year, it would be that there would be fewer of our courageous young men and women that have to be interned in this sacred ground. But I know that this will not happen, there will be more not less. So my one realistic wish would be that the Patriot Guard Riders would be joined by at least an equal number of the rest of us to Stand the Flag Line to honor those who have fallen and to give some comfort to the families that have to carry on with living.