BOUNTIFUL—It was a solemn sight last week as close to 50 motorcyclists rode through a line of flags posted on either side of the street leading to the Bountiful Veterans Park. They were followed by the Fallen Soldier Cart carrying the cremains of a U.S. Navy veteran. The park was one stop along the journey from Washington state to Nashville where a “Pony Express” relay will provide the final leg of his journey to New Jersey.

The cyclists, known as the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) escorted the cart in front of the Veterans Park where a flag ceremony honoring the soldier was conducted. 

The Alaska Airlines Fallen Soldier program started in 2011 with a group of Alaska Airlines mechanics who wanted to honor fallen military service members and their families. “The program ensures service members, their families and military escorts are treated with respect and dignity when transported on Alaska Airlines aircraft,” a release said.

“This is my first time riding as a Patriot Guard Rider,” said Dennis Gisi, from Walla Walla, Washington. “I’m riding because of relatives I’ve had who served this country since WWII. I want to pay my respects and say thank you.”

“I’ve been a member of the Patriot Guard Riders and in 2016 we got wind of a Fallen Soldier Cart in Oregon,” said Len Parsons, a coordinator for the ride. “We went over and did it and it got us hooked so we wanted to do it again.”

The Patriot Guard Riders started in the 1990s, he said. “People started protesting at veteran’s funerals. A group of veterans and patriots decided to make a fence between them and the families. It became a movement. They’d look over and say ‘who are those guys with flags and motorcycles?’ It was our way of paying respect. The cart is a symbol of the dignity a soldier deserves.”

Alaska Airlines has placed 15 Fallen Soldier Carts to date at the airports it serves. The goal is to have one in every airport it serves in the United States, the release said.

The identity of the soldier has been kept confidential at the family’s request. The veteran served honorably in the United States Armed Forces.

“We are deeply honored to provide this service for our fallen soldiers and their family,” said Neal Miller, Washington State Captain of the PGR. “The Patriot Guard Riders are committed to ensuring that the bravery and sacrifice of our military men and women are never forgotten. This escort is a small token of our gratitude for their service to our country.” 

Parsons served 20 years in the Navy and served all over the world. He has been riding (on his own) for more than 50 years. “It’s an honor to do this,” he said. “It’s humbling and makes me tearful, it chokes me up thinking about it.”