The body of PFC Krisitian Menchaca (23) arrived home in Brownsville yesterday early afternoon.
While the death of any and all US Soldiers weighs tremendously on my heart, the circumstances of PFC Kristian Menchaca’s death are especially difficult for me to come to terms with.
I have been to too many fallen Soldiers and Marines funerals already this year. But, as I posted on the Patriot Guard Riders message board:
It is with a profound sadness but steeled sense of resolve and purpose that I will do whatever it takes to ride in honor of this too-young-fallen Soldier, who paid the highest price for his country.
I feel an urgent sense of responsibilty to bear witness to the passing of this young hero. I shall not let his death pass unnoticed. I cannot let his death pass unnoticed.
I’m working out a schedule with my boss this morning to make plans to leave early on Tuesday so that I can be in Brownsville on Wednesday morning. I know that there are other PGR riders doing the same.
My company has graciously allowed me to leave early today so that I can make the ~400 mile ride south to Brownsville safely. Along the route, I am meeting up with riders from Dallas, Austin, New Braunfels, San Antonio, and Houston, and together we will ride into Brownsvile this evening so that we can get up early tomorrow and prepare for the funeral of PFC Menchaca.
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Patriot Guard Riders Mission Statement
The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security. If you share this respect, please join us.
We don’t care what you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a “hawk” or a “dove”. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn’t matter where you’re from or what your income is. You don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.
Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives.
- Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.
- Shield the mourning family and friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.
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For today, everything else will take a back seat to this mission.
This has got to be hard, Robbie. I don’t know how the family of this young man will ever find peace, but I pray hard that God will comfort them somehow until they all meet again.
You are riding for me and other readers that cannot make it.
My cousin was Kristian Menchaca. On the day of the funeral the family was feeling a great deal of sorrow over the loss of Kristian. We loved him dearly. My family helped raise Kristian and his brother when they were living in Houston. Losing him was like losing my own son. It is soo very painful to lose someone you always believed would die after you. Seeing the riders and others helped us and his mother feel that his death would not be forgotten. Thank you for your show of support.
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