In order to participate in the GunBroker Member forums, you must be logged in with your GunBroker.com account. Click the sign-in button at the top right of the forums page to get connected.

So I Completely Lost it Yesterday

armilitearmilite Member Posts: 35,490 ✭✭✭
edited April 2014 in General Discussion
While having to deal with my brother in laws death these past few days. I've been able to deal with my composure. That was until yesterday. He was a former army veteran, a former City of Milwaukee police officer until he was forced out for falling to comply with the cities residency requirement. He finally retired while working for the Milwaukee County Sheriffs Department. How many years he worked there I couldn't even tell you.

There was a Sheriffs department honor guard at the casket during the entire viewing of the body. Everything was going pretty smooth. The casket was brought out to the hearse and I noticed on the doors of the hearse were to big magnetic signs one being a United States Army and the other a law enforcement sign.

The funeral procession made its way out of the parking lot led by two Sheriffs Department motorcycles and a Sheriffs Department suburban. Now what started to get me was that the roads were blocked by the Greenfield Police Department. We turned right onto West Layton Ave which is one heck of a busy street, 3 lanes in each direction. A short time after turning and going down w. Layton Ave is when I totally lost it. While passing the Greenfield Fire Departments fire station all their trucks were parked perpendicular to the road. All their lights were flashing and their big ladder truck had its ladder opened to its full extent with a big American flag hanging from it swaying in the breeze. All the fire fighters were standing at attention and saluting.

As we passed it I could no longer keep my composure. As we passed at every major intersection on the way to the cemetery there were at least 4 City of Milwaukee squad cars blocking the cross traffic.
Parts of Layton Ave are in Milwaukee and Greenfield so that at all the intersections the police from both municipalities controlled traffic.
This occurred at at least 8 intersections and 4 more freeway off ramps. While passing each one of these points the officers saluted as we passed all the way to the cemetery. At the cemetery he was put to rest with full military honors. Law enforcement really takes care of their own. I have also come to the conclusion that I will no longer get pissed while waiting at a stop light while a funeral procession passes because I have to wait until it passes. One other little tid bit is my wife commented to me and I agreed we have seen some of these processions before and wondered what police chief or some general had
had passed. Now I know because they are a brotherhood who takes care of their own. While typing this I had to wipe off the key board a few times so it wouldn't short out.

While taking to his widow last night she mentioned to bad Neal couldn't live to see this. Well I mentioned maybe he did.

Comments

  • guntech59guntech59 Member Posts: 23,188 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    I'm sorry.

    I am dreading the day that I have to start burying my brothers and sister.
  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by guntech59
    I'm sorry.

    I am dreading the day that I have to start burying my Parents, brothers and sister.


    That sounds like quite a send off for a retired guy, that indicates to me that he was well known and respected amongst his fellow public safety professionals. God be with your family during this time.
  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Just something to notice. Look at the riders from the Patriot Guard Riders.

    You will notice that many of them are wearing sunglasses even at night.

    There is a reason for that.
  • JnRockwallJnRockwall Member Posts: 16,352 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    In the old days, the cops would escort any funeral.

    Today, you can kiss the police * if they are going to escort anything. It's just a damn shame how things have gone to hell.
  • shilowarshilowar Member Posts: 38,811 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by JnRockwall
    In the old days, the cops would escort any funeral.

    Today, you can kiss the police * if they are going to escort anything. It's just a damn shame how things have gone to hell.


    Perhaps where you live, we escort funerals just about every single day, sometimes 3-4 times per days. If the deceased is a veteran, and their coffin is under flag then my guys will stop at intersections, get out of there cars, stand at parade rest, come to attention and salute the hearse and the family limo as it passes their post.

    You should really find a different thread as an excuse to bash the police.
  • BikerBobBikerBob Member Posts: 2,745 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Curt - sorry to hear about your that. That is a busy section of road. Always been a fan of Sheriff Clark, sounds like his folks arranged it well.

    Tell Your wife sorry too...Bob
  • dcs shootersdcs shooters Member Posts: 10,870 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Here some funerals are escorted, depending on who it is [:(]
    The lead car has a light on top and after it enters a intersection they all go through until the last car passes.

    So now you know [^]
  • grumpygygrumpygy Member Posts: 48,464 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by dcs shooters
    Here some funerals are escorted, depending on who it is [:(]
    The lead car has a light on top and after it enters a intersection they all go through until the last car passes.

    So now you know [^]

    Here if the Police do not escort, some of us who have been on a few Patriot Guard will stop traffic. I would much rather the police do it but if it needs done I will.
  • armilitearmilite Member Posts: 35,490 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by BikerBob
    Curt - sorry to hear about your that. That is a busy section of road. Always been a fan of Sheriff Clark, sounds like his folks arranged it well.

    Tell Your wife sorry too...Bob


    Thanks Bob.
  • armilitearmilite Member Posts: 35,490 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by shilowar
    quote:Originally posted by JnRockwall
    In the old days, the cops would escort any funeral.

    Today, you can kiss the police * if they are going to escort anything. It's just a damn shame how things have gone to hell.


    Perhaps where you live, we escort funerals just about every single day, sometimes 3-4 times per days. If the deceased is a veteran, and their coffin is under flag then my guys will stop at intersections, get out of there cars, stand at parade rest, come to attention and salute the hearse and the family limo as it passes their post.

    You should really find a different thread as an excuse to bash the police.



    I asked the widow if she had contacted any of the agencies involved and she did not. So I'm assuming the funeral home made all the arrangements. There were 6 Greenfield PD, vehicles along with their fire department, 6 Milwaukee County Sheriffs vehicles and at least 40 Milwaukee Police Department vehicles as well. There was an awful lot of people involved. I've seen some funeral processions where the police block an intersection and then race down to the next and so on. In this case they were all set up ahead of time like if the Potus was in town.
  • Queen of SwordsQueen of Swords Member Posts: 14,355
    edited November -1
    My condolences. He obviously made quite an impression during his life. That's about all that any of us can ask for.
  • bigoutsidebigoutside Member Posts: 19,443
    edited November -1
    Very sad news to hear.
  • montanajoemontanajoe Forums Admins, Member, Moderator Posts: 60,240 ******
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by shilowar
    quote:Originally posted by guntech59
    I'm sorry.

    I am dreading the day that I have to start burying my Parents, brothers and sister.


    That sounds like quite a send off for a retired guy, that indicates to me that he was well known and respected amongst his fellow public safety professionals. God be with your family during this time.
    +1 on this if I may.
  • retroxler58retroxler58 Member Posts: 32,693 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    Sounds to me, your BIL was one helluva man Curt.

    I know there's a brotherhood... And they take care of their own.
    But I believe that any one member of that brotherhood earns the right to inclusion.
    I really don't think that membership comes too easy.

    In my mind... Every one of those salutes you mentioned you saw en-route...
    Came from a man, who had been personally touched, in some way, by your BIL.

    That kind of tribute... Just doesn't "happen"... And rightfully so.

    My condolences to you and yours... May your BIL RIP.
  • gearheaddadgearheaddad Member Posts: 15,091 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by retroxler58
    Sounds to me, your BIL was one helluva man Curt.

    I know there's a brotherhood... And they take care of their own.
    But I believe that any one member of that brotherhood earns the right to inclusion.
    I really don't think that membership comes too easy.

    In my mind... Every one of those salutes you mentioned you saw en-route...
    Came from a man, who had been personally touched, in some way, by your BIL.

    That kind of tribute... Just doesn't "happen"... And rightfully so.

    My condolences to you and yours... May your BIL RIP.




    +1
    Very well said....

    Sorry for your loss, Curt.
    Ed
  • jev1969jev1969 Member Posts: 2,691
    edited November -1
    If I read your post correctly it seems that you are offended that his brothers and sisters in arms went above and beyond for his send off. Did the two of you not get along in life or something?
  • armilitearmilite Member Posts: 35,490 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by jev1969
    If I read your post correctly it seems that you are offended that his brothers and sisters in arms went above and beyond for his send off. Did the two of you not get along in life or something?



    And you came to that conclusion how ???
  • Don McManusDon McManus Member Posts: 23,695 ✭✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by jev1969
    If I read your post correctly it seems that you are offended that his brothers and sisters in arms went above and beyond for his send off. Did the two of you not get along in life or something?


    Methinks you missed the entire point.

    Lost it can be a positive emotion.

    Sounds like your BIL made an impression that has and will continue to be held in the hearts of his brothers, armilite. Sounds like it provided some comfort.

    All the best to you and your wife.
    Freedom and a submissive populace cannot co-exist.

    Brad Steele
  • armilitearmilite Member Posts: 35,490 ✭✭✭
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by Don McManus
    quote:Originally posted by jev1969
    If I read your post correctly it seems that you are offended that his brothers and sisters in arms went above and beyond for his send off. Did the two of you not get along in life or something?


    Methinks you missed the entire point.

    Lost it can be a positive emotion.

    Sounds like your BIL made an impression that has and will continue to be held in the hearts of his brothers, armilite. Sounds like it provided some comfort.

    All the best to you and your wife.



    Thanks Don, you hit the nail on the head. I need to know when those firefighters that were there on Friday do their next shift so I can stop in and thank them personally.
  • jev1969jev1969 Member Posts: 2,691
    edited November -1
    Oh by "lost it" I thought you were "pizzed" off about something. It sounded like a really nice send off that they went all out for. That's why I was confused.
  • wanted manwanted man Member Posts: 3,276
    edited November -1
    quote:Originally posted by retroxler58
    Sounds to me, your BIL was one helluva man Curt.

    I know there's a brotherhood... And they take care of their own.
    But I believe that any one member of that brotherhood earns the right to inclusion.
    I really don't think that membership comes too easy.

    In my mind... Every one of those salutes you mentioned you saw en-route...
    Came from a man, who had been personally touched, in some way, by your BIL.

    That kind of tribute... Just doesn't "happen"... And rightfully so.

    My condolences to you and yours... May your BIL RIP.




    Couldn't have said it any better myself........
    My deepest condolences to you and your B-I-L's entire family
Sign In or Register to comment.