On Saturday (17 January) I got on a motorcycle when the thermometer said to do no such thing. It was 18 degrees as I left Whitmire heading to Jonesville, SC for a Patriot Guard mission.
Staff Sergeant Kenneth Jason Wilburn of the United States Air Force was just 30 years old. He died three days after he passed out in a swimming pool at Lackland Air Force Base in Texas. He was in the middle of training to become a combat controller…….the guys who call in precision air strikes.
Jason was what you might call ‘gung ho’. He was in the Air Force but he’d already been through Army Ranger school. He loved jump missions and had been trained in rescue to retrieve downed pilots from danger.
Jason told people as a teenager he wanted to make something of himself. He chose the military as his career and was proud to be an Airman. He leaves behind a little girl named Megan who is nine and a wife expecting his second child. His wife couldn’t even attend the funeral because doctors said her pregnancy wouldn’t be able to stand another trip.
I spoke with Jason’s Mom and StepDad Saturday and I asked them an unusual question. Quiet or loud? We ride big ol’ loud motorcycles but we generally try and keep them as quiet as possible….I mean……it’s a funeral. But for some reason I felt it was important to ask.
“That boy loved to be the center of attention” his Mother said………..”make it as loud as you can”.
Now, to make it loud I needed motorcycles and more than just a few. I was hoping for thirty but it was very cold and who could blame folks for staying home on a day like that. The riders started coming in……….one or two at the time. By the time for our briefing we had thirty-five motorcycles ready with some very cold bikers upon them.
We have a motto of sorts in the Patriot Guard in South Carolina…………listen for the rumble. On Saturday the rumble became a bit of a roar in Jonesville and Jason Wilburn was the center of attention in his hometown.
I have to tell you……….I was pleasantly surprised by the turnout and exceedingly proud of this bunch of patriots who endured some pretty miserable conditions to honor a young man they didn’t know. His family knew that they were not alone…….that Americans appreciated the service and the sacrifice of their Jason.
Each time I ride an Honor Mission with the Patriot Guard I hope it’s the last one. I hope that again.
www.patriotguard.org
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2 comments:
I am honored by you what you do...The Patriot Guards in my eyes are anther set of heros that are overlooked themselves. Not only have you taken part in the sending of my friend LeeBernard chavis...but also SSgt Wilburn. They were both great guys that will never be forgotten. Thank you for what you do....
I do not know who you are but I will assume that you serve in the United States Air Force to have known these men so well.
I am humbled by the willing sacrifice of these fine young men. Riding with the PGR is not something I want to do. I don't like it at all. But it's something that I have to do.
When a young man or young woman vows to protect and preserve what I hold dear and loses his life in that process I believe a gift of that magnitude demands acknowledgement.
I am not a hero. I'm a biker who honors heroes.
May God bless and keep you.
Randy 'Steam' Stevens
Patriot Guard Ride Captain
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