I am more proud to have served my country in the US Army than I am of any thing else I’ve ever done. But not a day goes by that I don’t remember all of my brothers who were not as lucky as me — all of those who never made it home alive.
Compared to all of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice defending their country, my own service feels immeasurably inadequate.
Over the last several years, I have ridden thousands of miles to and from the funerals of fallen soldiers. And while each and everyone of them holds a very dear place in my memories, there are two that affected me more deeply than all the others — and today, on Memorial Day, they are especially on my mind:
PFC Tina M. Priest — On Thursday, 09 Mar 06, I rode my first ever Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) mission to honor pay respect to PFC Priest, 20, of Smithville, TX.
I wasn’t prepared for the impact that being part of this mission would have on me. I was even less prepared to witness the impact that it had on Pfc Priest’s family, their community, and her fellow Soldiers who came to bury her.
I have been back to visit the final resting place of PFC Priest on several occasions in the two years since she was laid to rest. I always feel so deeply humbled and grateful that this young woman was brave enough to fight and die in a war so far from this small, humble town on the banks of the Colorado River.
PFC Amy Duerksen — On Friday, 17 Mar 07, I rode on my second PGR mission to honor another too young female PFC soldier who had died for our freedoms, PFC Duerksen, 19, of Temple, TX.
PFC Duerksen was buried at the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery just outside of Killeen, TX.
When you come through the gates of this beautiful cemetery, one of the very first gravestones that you will encounter is that of PFC Duerksen. Much like the grave of PFC Priest, I have been back to visit PFC Duerksen on numerous occasions.
When I think about these two young women who were braver by far than most men, I am humbled and forever grateful for their service and their sacrifice.
Today, I once again pause to remember and to say thank you.
God speed, young Soldiers. God speed.
