 His legacy |
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Arlington
Happy Belated Birthday, my Darling. This last week-end, I spent what would have been your 27th birthday (May 29) in Arlington, burying another Soldier. He was a Buffalo Soldier Medal of Honor Recipient from 1890, named CPL Isaiah Mays. As I stood on that hallowed ground, I thought of you and all of your buddies who have given their lives in defense of our country, and I was just in awe of the enormity of the sacrifice that has been made to keep our country free. Thank you so much for all you did for us to keep us safe. I love you and miss you so much, but freedom isn't free.
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Second Annual Sgt. Robert Eppich Memorial Ride
Another year has passed. I can hardly believe it. It is becoming easier to move on with my life, simply because I just don't think about the painful memories (try not to, any way), but I still think of Rob constantly.
Robert's Memorial Ride this year began with a 50 mile ride to the National Cemetery in Phoenix, AZ, where it will be for all future memorials. We were met at the cemetery by many guests who had gathered there. After an introduction, the names of all Soldiers, Sailors, Marines, and Airmen who were Killed In Action while serving their country since 2003 were read, and a bell was rung after each name. At the conclusion of the list, all American conflicts were listed and family and friends were invited forward to remember their loved ones. It was a small group, but a very powerful moment in time, as each one there told us about his/her loved one who has served our country and has passed on. Many tears were shed as parents who served in WWII were remembered, as buddies from Vietnam were remembered, and as our recently Fallen Heroes were remembered. A few pictures from the Memorial have been posted on this website under photo albums.
Robert's Legacy - the Old Guard Riders Inc - is growing by leaps and bounds. We now have over 200 members and six chapters in 17 states who have caught the vision of serving the Veterans who are in such desperate need. We have had fundraisers and collected canned goods and stood in food lines to feed the homeless, and we have stood in flag lines to honor our Heroes as they were buried. We have ridden our bike to memorials to honor our Fallen Heroes, and ridden our bike to help take an entire load of 200 DVD players and hundreds of movies to the VA Medical Center. And we are only just beginning. Next year, we will be active participants in the Wreaths Across America Program, raising money to purchase fresh evergreen wreaths and then laying them at all of the National Cemeteries in December, and we will be helping to raise money to move the remains of a Buffalo Soldier and Medal of Honor Recipient who served in the Civil War from the Phoenix pauper's grave he now rests in to Arlington, where he can be properly interred and remembered for his valor.
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First Annual Sgt. Robert Eppich Fallen Soldiers Memorial Ride and Roll Call
On the morning of Saturday, December 22, 2007, American Legion Riders, Patriot Guard Riders, Shriners Riders, and many other Riders, joined the Old Guard Riders on a ride to Mountain View Cemetery, where Rob is buried, to join with Rob's VFW post, Gold Star Mothers, Gold Star Wives, Gold Star Dads, our family, and other guests, to honor America's Fallen Heroes. So many of our loved ones, from many conflicts, have given their lives and their hopes and dreams to keep us safe and free. We wanted to make a special effort to include them in the Holidays, because we are missing them so much at this time of year, and they will never be here with us, ever again. So on that beautiful morning, friends, family, and Veterans gathered to honor and remember our Heroes. Ron's American Legion Post #27 provided an Honor Guard, Rifle Squad, and Bugler. After Ron greeted everyone, we participated in the Pledge of Allegiance, followed by our National Anthem, and a Rider Chaplain named "Breeze" gave us a word of prayer. Old Guard Riders called Roll Call, with a bell toll after each name, and each Gold Star Family present sent a representative to the front to give their Loved One's name and rank, branch of service, and conflict served, following which a volley was fired and Taps was played. It was beautiful. A few pictures from the Memorial have been posted on this website under photo albums.
Robert died at Christmas time, and to me, December will always be his month. His death has made me especially sensitive and aware of just how hard it is to be without our loved ones at this time of year. I am mindful of each Gold Star Family, and my thoughts and prayers are with all of you.
This is going to be a yearly event for us; and therefore, we will be having a Second Annual Memorial Ride and Roll Call next year in December. We hope to have it at the National Cemetery in Phoenix. We especially invite all Gold Star Family members to join us, as well as all Patriots who would like to attend. If you would like to be on our e-mail list for this event, please contact me. A link to my e-mail address is on the front page of this website.
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Old Guard Riders
Robert's death came very hard to me. He and I were very close. But in the midst of our grieving, a Band of Heroes came to our aid, riding motorcycles. The Patriot Guard Riders escorted Robert to his final resting place, with 81 bikes flying large American flags. Most riders were Vietnam veterans, like my husband. Their presence was so awesome, so inspiring, so comforting, so right, that my husband, Ron, joined the PGR at Robert's funeral, and I joined shortly thereafter. For Ron and I, Robert's death was a call to action. We bought a motorcycle, and started riding at funerals of other Fallen Soldiers, striving to bring the same comfort and security to other grieving families that the PGR brought to us. Yes, there were protesters at some of the funerals we attended, but we put ourselves between the protesters and the families, and I don't even think the families knew they were there. But the PGR is limited in the scope of what they can do. We wanted to do more. So Ron and I have started a 501 (c)(3) nonprofit organization, called the Old Guard Riders (http://www.oldguardriders.com) whose focus is to raise money to help America's Forgotten Soldiers - the Veterans, some of whom are homeless, in nursing homes, or in hospitals. This is Robert's legacy. I call it "The Robert Foundation." Our first mission was a cookie run to the Veteran's Hospital in Tucson on December 8, 2007. Our second mission will be a Memorial Ride to honor Robert and all of our Fallen Soldiers in Arizona. We hope that our vision will spread nationwide, and that many chapters of the Old Guard will be established. The need is so great, and the laborers few. If you feel in your heart the desire to help, either with money or with volunteer time and effort, please contact us! We would love to have you join us, wherever you are. Is this your call to action?
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