It would be understandable if you had misgivings about this, considering the country's current social and political climate. Perhaps what we all need is an occasional reminder that, at heart, America is still beautiful.
Mike and Susan Penick will attest to this.
The Penicks recently participated in the Patriot Ride that escorted fallen U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Nicole Gee, on the last leg of her journey home to her final resting place in Placer, CA. Gee was killed in the suicide attack at Kabul's Hamid Karzai International Airport on August 26 during the American-led evacuation of Afghanistan. Along with 12 other servicemen and women, Gee died while helping get Afghan refugees safely out of the country. Only 23 years old, Gee was assigned to the Combat Logistics Battalion 24, 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit, II Marine Expeditionary Force, at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, and was deployed to aid in the evacuation after the Taliban militants overthrew the government and captured Kabul.
At 6 a.m. on September 16, the day of Gee's scheduled arrival home, the Penicks donned their helmets, mounted their iron horses, and headed west from Fallon. By 8 a.m., they had rallied with 50 or so other Northern Nevada Patriot Guard Riders and made their way over the Sierra Nevada Mountains and into California's capital city of Sacramento. From there, the Guard joined others from the Northern California Patriot Guard.
More than 400 riders, including Mike and Susan Penick, awaited her arrival at the Sacramento Airport to escort her to her hometown of Roseville, CA, for her funeral service. Grateful to be among those riding with the Patriot Guard, the Penicks were awed at what they saw as "national patriotism." According to Mike, residents were out in droves to honor the fallen Marine. Thousands of patriots lined the overpasses and side streets, waving, saluting, and paying their respects to the small-town girl who sacrificed her own life in service to her country and to save the lives of others.
When the Penicks returned home, darkness had settled in the valley. Despite weary bones and the physical and emotional demands of the day, they agreed it was a day well spent. "Just getting to do that - to be there at the end of her journey," said Mike, "It meant a lot."
The Fallon couple felt it was a privilege to serve, although in a different way than in their younger years. Mike retired from the Air Force and Susan from the National Guard. They met and married each other later in life and soon after took to riding Harley Davidson Trikes. Shortly after, they found themselves on The Ride to the Wall. There, they journeyed with 1,400 other riders from Los Angeles cross country on an 18-day roundtrip sojourn to Washington D.C. to tour the city's monuments and the Vietnam Wall.
The Penicks have been part of the Northern Nevada Patriot Guard Riders for two years. They were also among those that welcomed home the recently returning Honor Flight at the Reno-Tahoe Airport last Sunday.
The Patriot Guard Riders is an entirely volunteer, non-profit organization. Their mission is to bring dignity and respect to memorial services honoring fallen military heroes, first responders, and honorably discharged veterans. Additionally, they strive to shield mourning military family and their friends from interruptions created by any protester or group of protesters.
Marines with Gee entering the church where her funeral services were held in Roseville, CA
Patriot Guard Riders await at Sacramento Airport to escort Gee home
– All photos by the Penicks
Patriot Guard Riders await at Church
Residents line up in honor of Gee and her sacrifice
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