GUARD

Photo By Staff Sgt. Edgar Valdez | Flags fly behind the entrance to Great Lakes National Cemetery, in Holly MI, September 9, 2017. Great Lakes National Cemetery is the second national cemetery build in Michigan and the 122nd in the National cemetery list.  

GREAT LAKES NATIONAL CEMETERY, MI, UNITED STATES

09.09.2017

Story by Sgt. Edgar Valdez  

220th Public Affairs Detachment

GUARD
The Patriots Guard, honoring fallen veterans, first responders and fallen law enforcement.
GUARD


The Patriots Guard Riders honored fallen military heroes, first responders, fallen law enforcement officers and honorably discharged veterans, at Great Lakes National Cemetery, in Holly Michigan, September 9, 2017.
Members of the Southeastern Michigan Patriots Guard Riders came to pay tribute and show their respects to those that made the ultimate sacrifice and gave it all to keep America safe.
Patrick “Boz” Bozzi, one of the ride Captains and a member of the Guard for seven years was present during the event.
“The family really appreciate seeing us here paying our respects to their loved ones, the ones that gave their all,” Bozzi said.
Bozzi said that since he couldn’t join the service when he got out of school joining the Patriots Guard is his way of giving back to those who made the ultimate sacrifice.
They must be invited by a family member before they can show up to pay their respects, said Bozzi. Once a family member invites the Guard, they show up at the funeral home, church, or cemetery and form a flag line where they stand silently and pay their respects to the fallen veteran, first responder or fellow law enforcement officers.
Teri Johnson from Flint, Michigan, was so impressed with the Patriots Guard Riders when they honored her son, fallen U.S. Army Sgt. Joseph D. Johnson that she joined the Patriots Guard.
The first time she saw the Patriots Guard was at the airport when Joe came home from Dover, they stood right there with the family at the airport and then at funeral home, every day they were there making sure that our family was taken care of, said Johnson.
“The Patriots Guard have taken me in as family, and this has helped me grieve,” said Johnson.
Johnson said that having the privilege to stand in a flag line and pay respect to other fallen veterans and first responders means so much to her.
The Patriots Guard is always looking for people, said Bozzi. To volunteer you don’t have to be a veteran or own a motorcycle, all that is required is that the volunteer is a patriot and is willing and wanting to pay honors to the fallen and show respect to the family of the fallen.

• Date Taken: 09.09.2017
• Date Posted: 03.24.2018 15:54
• Story ID: 252179
• Location: GREAT LAKES NATIONAL CEMETERY, MI, US