On Friday night I helped escort home the body of PFC Brian J. Kubik from the airport in Austin to his home in Harkers Height, TX.
Yesterday, I joined 44 of my fellow Patriot Guard Riders brothers and sisters as we joined his family and friends to say goodbye.
The 44 bikes in attendance were the fewest I’ve ever ridden on for a PGR mission, but I don’t think we’ve ever had a larger presence or bigger impact.
Brian’s funeral service was the most moving and emotional thing I have ever witnessed.
Five days after I first became involved with Brian and his family, words still fail me to properly convey the emotions of I’ve felt over the last several days. Just know that Brian was laid to rest with every bit of respect, honor, love, sorrow, dignity, and patriotism that he deserved.
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Brian was laid to rest at the newly dedicated Central Texas State Veteran’s Cemetery in Killeen, TX. He was buried just two rows behind and several columns away from PFC Amy Duerksen, who’s funeral I attended back in March.
After Brian’s funeral, and after everybody else had left the cemetery, I stayed behind to visit with Amy. I can report that she is resting peacefully and that she is amongst the best of company — her grave is surrounded by those of brave Soldiers who fought in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam. The Iraq that is inscribed on her headstones serves as a reminder of how young this soldier was. Amy and Brian were both born in the same year — 1986.
