Twelve riders met at the funeral home and most them beat the ride captain who was 1/2 hour early to the scheduled staging time.  Riders were given the safety briefing prior to the family arriving.  The PGR provided pall bearers to move Seaman Erwin to the coach while the remaining riders rendered honors as he was moved. 

The procession to DFW National was uneventful thanks to the North Texas Escort service.  We arrived at the cemetery and immediately began to prepare the shelter for the service. 

Again, the PGR pall bearers provided their assistance for this part of the mission while the remaining riders rendered honors.  The military honor guard performed in their usual perfection.  Prior to the arrival of the family the ride captain had briefed the Sailor and Marine honor guard that Mr. Erwin's son was in boot camp and had not been told of his father's death.  Even though he knew his dad was dying, he asked not to told in the event that his dad died while has was in boot camp.  He did not want to be distracted.  The DFW Honor Guard are always professional, but today, the Sailor presenting the flag could barely utter the words to Mr. Erwin's mother since he knew that her grandson was in boot camp.   Several riders were observed having similar difficulty.