ride today but well worth it. There was a short notice email yesterday that said Spc. Rodney Johnon’s body was arriving this morning at Hobby. We aren’t very busy at the plantation, so I thought I would hang out and see if the heaviest rain subsided. It did, around 9 am, so I hopped on the Marauder and took off.
There were 16 bikes, 1 trike and 5 support vehicles that were able to make the escort. We met in front of Hobby and then went as a group to the small aircraft hangers that the fallen soldiers arrive at.
There was a very heavy police presence because Spc. Johnson’s father is a Houston Police Officer. Probably between 60 and 70 total officers, with a motorcycle escort of about 12.
The family was well represented, at least a dozen friends and relatives. Spc. Johnson has a young daughter, looks to be about a year old or less and his wife is eight months pregnant. She looked so sad, in shock I think. The little girl was cute as a button, although I think my jolly looks scared her a bit when someone brought her over to my bike.
We took a short detour through the Southeast Police Command Station, most of the employees came out of the building in honor of Spc. Johnson. The funeral home wasn’t very far, off MLK and Griggs.
After our flag line was finished at the funeral home, I took off and went to Dinner Bell for lunch. Why was everyone staring at me? I wasn’t THAT wet! Okay, so I was but I was hungry! Did my daily Bible study there and then took off for home. After picking up a loaf of banana bread, of course.
It was good to see Scott Given there, father of Nathaniel Given. He gave me a big smile and came over to shake my hand. Awhile back, he sent me a couple of emails and pictures of Nathaniel for the page but every time I try to redesign it, I get depressed and stop. I’m going to commit to doing that soon.
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