Austin Patriot Guard Riders › Forums › Completed Missions › Edward P, Cruz, 75, USMC/Vietnam veteran, Austin, TX, 18 June 2024 › Reply To: Edward P, Cruz, 75, USMC/Vietnam veteran, Austin, TX, 18 June 2024
Mission Complete.
There were only 3 of us there to honor this hero but it worked out well. Nicki arrived early and was able to locate both entrances to the church/school complex and get flags staked there.
Mrs. Cruz arrived early, before the casket and came to greet us and thank us for being there. She conveyed, emotionally, her strong feelings of pride when she drove into the parking lot and saw the Marine Corps flag we had posted in our staging area. She was moved and expressed several times how grateful she was that we were there. Shortly thereafter, the hearse arrived and I greeted the funeral director to determine which entrance to the church they were going to use and also offered our assistance as they did not have pallbearers available. They did not need help so Warren and I posted between the hearse and the entrance and rendered honors as they moved him inside.
Nicki is not able to stand for long periods due to her recent knee replacement so Warren and I were the flag line. The good part about that is that no one had to stand in the hot sun. We posted at the church entrance which was under the roof. We were greeted by the brother and sister who both were very appreciative of our presence. The flag line stood a little longer than usual as we stood for the Rosary which was 30 mins prior to the funeral. We stood down a couple of minutes after the funeral started and no arriving attendees were inbound.
While our numbers were small, the appreciation for our participation was as strong as ever so this was very successful mission. Thanks Warren for being there so I did not have to hold 2 flags!!
RIP Edward Patrick Cruz, USMC
Soup Campbell, Ride Captain
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