to honor our hero, Timmy......
to honor our hero, Timmy......
If you have not had the sad honor of attending a hero's homecoming, here's of what our town and the U.S. Army did this morning to bring Timmy on home to the family. From our local radion station WZEP:
Padgett Returned Home
Staff Sergeant Timothy Padgett?s remains were returned home Monday morning to a large contingent of family, military, firefighters and EMS, city and county officials, veterans and those wanting to pay respect to the fallen soldier. Padgett was serving as a Medical Staff Sergeant with Special Forces in Operation Enduring Freedom, in southern Afghanistan, when he was fatally wounded on May 8. Padgett dressed some of his wounds, but eventually passed away.
DeFuniak Springs Mayor Harold Carpenter worked with Congressman Jeff Miller?s office to bring Padgett back to where he was from, back to where he graduated Walton High School, back to where he worked at the local Thrift-Way Supermarket, back to where he lived and trained as a firefighter and eventually served with the South Walton Fire District, back to where he served with the National Guard and later decided to join the regular Army, back to where his former wife and daughter Summer Lynn live and back to his mother Glenda Penton.
The C-130 Padgett was transported on could not land at the DeFuniak Springs Airport so the military and the city arranged for two Special Ops helicopters out of Hulbert Field to bring the soldier and his honor guard to his home. The large copter carrying Padgett?s casket landed and taxied near the terminal building, turned and opened its bay door. The Airmen from Hurlburt removed the casket and turned their special cargo over to members of Padgett?s Army Rangers waiting on the tarmac. As the flag draped casket was carried off the helicopter, the taxiway was lined with firefighters and EMS on one side and the Patriot Guard Riders, dignitaries and friends on the other.
The Rangers unloaded their fallen brother and the family stepped forward, the first opportunity to be near the son and father since he had left for overseas. The family took time to grieve as the soldiers stood at attention, saluting and also grieving one of their own. A South Walton Firefighter played several songs on the bagpipes and a short prayer was given. The soldiers then escorted the flag draped casket to the waiting hearse. Family and friends departed to begin the procession; but the Honor Guard of Rangers continued to stand at attention, saluting until the casket was driven away.
Outside the airport an even larger crowd was gathered. Young boys stood along the roadway, standing with their hands over their hearts, saluting the soldier. All along Highway 90 men and women were parked or came out of their businesses, many holding flags. The DeFuniak Springs Police began the procession, followed by veterans and the Patriot Guard Riders and then the hearse. The procession continued with family and about a dozen fire trucks and others as they took Padgett to the Funeral Home. All along the roadways were people of various ages, again many holding flags, many standing with a heart salute as the procession passed. The Baptist Church had a large flag hanging from its porch.
A time of visitation will be held Tuesday from 5:00PM-9:00PM, at the First United Methodist Church; 88 West Circle Drive, DeFuniak Springs, Florida. Funeral Services will be conducted at 2:00PM Wednesday, May 16, at the First United Methodist Church. In honor of Tim?s request his final resting place will be in the Glendale Natural Preserve Cemetery in Glendale, with full military honors.
While waiting for Padgett to return, a number of people called into WZEP AM 1460 with tributes. Some of these can be found on our website,
http://wzep1460.com and click on the NewsCenter link.
Patriot Guard Riders
Joining the family and friends of Timothy Padgett as his casket was flown by military helicopter to DeFuniak Springs Monday morning was a group of bikers. Many had long hair, full beards, sported leather vests, some with military pins from past wars. These men and a few women came from as close by as Walton County, Ponce de Leon and our local area and others came from further away. Most rode Harleys Davidson?s or Hondas and many had flags attached to the chrome machines. They were Patriot Guard Riders.
A mission statement says the Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. They have one thing in common besides motorcycles, an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America?s freedom and security. They say, if you share this respect, you are asked to join them.
The Patriot Guard Riders say they don?t care what you ride or even if you ride, what your political views are, or whether you?re a hawk or a dove. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn't matter where you?re from or what your income is; you don?t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is respect.
Their main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission they undertake has two basic objectives: Show their sincere respect for fallen heroes, their families, and their communities and to shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors. They accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.
They also tell those who are currently serving and fighting for the freedoms of others, at home and abroad, they are backing them. PGR says they honor and support the troops with every mission carried out, and are praying for a safe return home for all.
It all started back in early August of 2005 with the American Legion Riders chapter 136 from Kansas. The PGR says the group was appalled to hear that a fallen hero?s memory was being tarnished by, what they call ?misguided religious zealots? who were protesting at funerals. They decided to do something about it.
When they heard a group was going to protest at a funeral, they established a mission statement, which included getting the families permission and contacting law enforcement and other motorcycle groups in the area. They agreed their ultimate goal was to get veterans and motorcycle organizations involved in every state so that each state could handle the situation internally and not rely on other states to do the job.
After organizing as a group, the Patriot Guard Riders growth continued. Within a week their membership included many riders from associations like the VFW, American Legion, Rolling Thunder, ABATE, Combat Vets Motorcycle Association, Intruder Alert, Leathernecks Motorcycle Club, and almost five hundred individual riders.
First News talked to several of the members present at Padgett?s arrival. None would talk about the various sides of the war or political issues, all simply saying they were there as invited guests to support the family and honor the fallen and to be a presence in case protesters tried to disrupt.
