Road King Blog

On August 19th, 2009, 4 members of the Army’s elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment lost their lives in a training accident in Colorado.  The family of SSgt Tucker invited the Patriot Guard Riders to attend the service and honor SSgt. Tucker.  We were privileged to be able to do so.

Some background on the 106th SOAR is probably beneficial here.  From the USASOC website:

The 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment’s mission is to organize, equip, train, resource and employ Army special operations aviation forces worldwide in support of contingency missions and warfighting commanders. Known as Night Stalkers, these Soldiers are recognized for their proficiency in nighttime operations. They are highly trained and ready to accomplish the very toughest missions in all environments, anywhere in the world, day or night, with unparalleled precision. They employ highly modified Chinook, Black Hawk and assault and attack configurations of Little Bird helicopters.

Soldiers of the 160th have been actively and continuously engaged in the combat operations since October 2001. Today, the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment continues a sustained and active forward presence in the U.S. Central Command area of operations at multiple locations in support of operations Enduring and Iraqi freedom, in Afghanistan and Iraq respectively. Our crews also provide support to U.S. Southern and Pacific command.

These skilled aviators don’t push the limits of the envelope - they define the envelope. It was an honor to be invited to attend the service and pay our respects.

As is so often the case, a group of us from the area met up to ride to the church together.  Lisa and I met up with the group at a gas station on route 46 and rode east toward the shore and then down US 1 to Titusville.  Along the way, we passed over the wide, marshy bed of the St. John’s river and rolled by a large alligator sunning himself on the shoulder of the road.  In short order, we arrived in Titusville.

One thing that made a large impression on me was the dedication shown by SSGt. Tucker’s fellow soldiers from the 160th, who were acting as the honor guard and pallbearers for the funeral.  I got the impression this is not a duty they normally perform, but that the bond they shared compelled them to handle this final task for their fallen brother.  While we were getting organized and waiting for the family to arrive, the soldiers were practicing the drill for their duties during the funeral over and over again.  It was hard to watch, because you could feel the pain under their professional pride, and see the drive to make sure they performed their tasks to perfection because nothing less would do.

As the family arrived, we set the flag line and stood in silent respect as the honor guard performed the drill one final time, removing SSGt Tucker’s casket from the caisson and bearing it into the church with precision and reverence.  In due course, the service ended.  As is often the case, we sent several bikes ahead to the cemetery to set up a flagline there to receive the soldier and his family.  Lisa and I volunteered to go with the advance group, and we soon set off on the short trip to the cemetery.

At the cemetery, another group of soldiers from the 160th were rehearsing for their role in the internment service.  They displayed the same fierce dedication to making certain that they performed their duties flawlessly in final service to their fallen brother.  Once again, it was very humbling to watch.  And very inspiring.  These young men and women in our armed forces possess a quality of character all too seldom seen today.

During the internment service, a police helicopter overflew the grave site in tribute.  This was an emotional service, and I know that several of us - myself definitely included - got more than a bit of blurry vision from the tears that gathered but never quite fell.

After the conclusion of the service, each and every one of the soldiers from the 160th SOAR came over and personally thanked each of us for being there.  It was very moving - and very humbling.  I mean, compared to the hardships these young men endure and the sacrifices they make serving our nation, I’ve done absolutely nothing by riding a handful of miles to stand the flagline.  At one point, one of the soldiers shook my hand and thanked me for being there to honor SSGt Tucker.  Both of us were holding back the tears, and we kind of paused there for a second hanging on the edge.  I told him that the honor was mine for being there, and that I was grateful for all that they do.  As we were preparing to leave, one of the members of the 160th presented us each with a pin with the 160th SOAR unit crest.  It sits on my desk as I write this, and I will cherish it always as a reminder of the day.  I’ve not the right to wear it, and would never even consider doing so, but I feel quite honored that SSGt Tucker’s brothers in arms considered me worthy to receive it.

This was a tough mission for me, and it took me a long time to write it up.  It was just so humbling to have these dedicated soldiers thanking us for what we were doing, and it effected me for quite a while.