When my daughter was 6 years old, she became the youngest member of the National Patriot Guard Riders. (I will save that story for another day.) Last Saturday, we had the opportunity to go to the Salt Lake International Airport and honor WWII veterans who were coming home from the Utah Honor Flight. These are men that came home after the war without fanfare. 70 years later, they received it.
That day was a very wet, cold, and rainy one. We met the Utah Guard at the nearby State Fair Grounds for our planning meeting. While the adults gathered, the children entertained themselves.(She wants a motorcycle so badly!)
Because of the whether, the flight had been delayed by three hours. It was dinner time, so many of us decided to go to a nearby restaurant and grab a bite to eat. My daughter got on a high and got really, really silly with some of her "crew".
When we got to the airport later that evening, we took our places with the flags.
Missy B stood next to her new friend ready to honor the Great Men of our country.
Just as these girls were relaxed and ready to doze, I look over to see dozens of elderly gentlemen being wheeled down the corridor by their escorts. Nudging the girls I told them, "Girls, look! This is it! This is what you have been waiting all day for!" I pointed towards the crowd coming towards us. I said to them, "Girls, I know you're tired and cold, but let's go get our flags ready and show these men how grateful you are for their service. Shine your smiles at them and show the your gratitude! You can do this!" Missy B's young friend cried that her legs hurt and I offered for her to stand with her mother, also a rider holding a flag. No, she wanted to be with her pal. The three of us went to our designated area and got our flags.
The girls took their flags and got ready. I told my daughter, "B, you think of your great-grandpa Berry (my maternal grandfather, still living) and you think of our great-uncle Dale (his brother who has passed away). Some of these men may have served with them. You take all your love for Grandpa and Uncle Dale and you give it to these men. Show them you love them and let them know how grateful you are for their service, for giving us our freedom!" Missy B's tender heart broke as she misses her Uncle Dale greatly. She had a special bond with him. As I dried her tears and hugged her, she put on her "warrior face" and prepared to greet these great heroes of our nation.
One by one, these gentlemen were wheeled past us. As they came by the girls, these precious young ladies stood tall to salute every one of them. Then, they reached out their hands to shake the hands of heroes and said, "Thank you for your service." One by one, these frail men broke down in tears, taking those small hands in theirs. As they passed by me, I would bend down to them, taking their hand and thanked them. Some of them broke down weeping thanking us for the honor we gave them that night. Some of them wept so hard that I hugged them and kissed their beautiful, wrinkly cheeks. Our hands clasped those that were missing fingers, crippled with arthritis, or had major burn damage. It literally pained them to shake our hands, but they did it anyway, because it connected us as human beings.
Afterward, the men were bused to the Fair Grounds where a big ceremony was held in their honor. Missy B needed to get home, since it was after 11:30 pm by this point, but I know they were adored by the hundreds of people waiting for them.
Being there to honor our Defenders of Liberty was one of the highlights of my life. It was a sacred experience as we paid our respects to these incredible men, who sacrificed so much for our freedoms. I am grateful to know the Utah Patriot Guard and have my daughter be an official member. It brings tears to my eyes that we are able to show our love to the true heroes of liberty. God bless our military. We salute you.
Guarding Liberty-
Mama Dragon
