July 5, 2008
Thanks from Ret Air Force MSgt
To All Who Ride for the Heroes,
I had the opportunity on the Fourth of July to attend a funeral for Spc. Kenneth Jacobs in Ontario, NY and the graveside services in Marion, NY. I am a retired Air Force veteran with 22+ years in the service. I have been on many Honor Guards, and attended many military funerals. I must say I have never attended one like the one I did on the Fourth. Your group is just awesome. The silence
at the church while forming a corridor of flags for the hearse, and the escort to the cemetery was something to behold. The noise of the motorcade coming to the cemetery while still miles away was just spine chilling. The closing act of encircling the gravesite with American Flags was just breath taking.
It is a Fourth of July I will always remember. One that will stand out in my mind forever. There were some 60 bikes in the funeral from all over the state of New York. To think that all these riders would take time on a holiday from their families picnics and gatherings to render this honor was just special. Even though it was a very somber event it very well showed what the Fourth of July is for. Celebrating the life of a solider who gave his so that we may all be allowed to have the freedom we enjoy. AMERICA: "The Land of the Free, Because of the Brave"
John Schlafer
MSgt (Ret)
U.S.Air Force
1960-1986