PGR riders from Tallahassee, Panama City, Dunellon, Webster and other Florida cities along with Riders from as far away as Valdosta, Georgia gathered in Tallahassee to pay final respects to and honor Master Sgt. Shawn Simmons and escort him and his family, Brothers in Arms and others who came to honor this fallen soldier to his final resting place at Culleys Meadow Woods on Timberlane Road.Numerous groups were represented such as the VNV/Legacy Vets MC, CMA (Christian Motorcycle Association), Buffalo Soldiers, The Breed, Chrome Divas, American Legion, ABATE, and others.
Master Sgt. Shawn Simmons was killed when a vehicle he and three other Special Forces members drowned when a truck left the road in Afghanistan and rolled into a river, resulting in their drowning.
We were told that this was the largest loss of Green Berets at one time since the beginning of the war. I do know that one veteran said they had never seen so many Master Sgts. in one place at the same time.Master Sergeant Simmons Unit accompanied his body to Tallahassee and has been here since to insure he was properly laid to rest. This is how Special Forces works. The decorum with which the Special forces conducted themselves and the deference with which they treated the family can not be understated. They are without a doubt some of Americas Finest and Master Sgt. Simmons was one of them.
After the service we escorted a very large procession from Orange Avenue, to Monroe, Monroe to Thomasville highway to Timberlane road to Culleys where Master Sgt Simmons was laid to rest, praise was given followed by a 21 gun salute and finally Taps. Our prayers and sympathies not only for him and his family, but to his comrades in arms whose sense of loss could be felt. And who, after replacing Master Sgt. Simmons will go back overseas to engage in acts we may never be aware of.
I can only say that where ever these men are sent, if they conduct themselves with the same professionalism and dignity they exhibited here, then we can rest assured that America is being represented by the best of the best. Rest in Peace Master Sgt Simmons, and may your brothers in arms return from wherever they are asked to go safe and unharmed.
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It was such a great honor to be there...and inside the church to see and hear these comrades speak with broken voices, pausing to choke back tears and weeping shows that they were truly brothers...And they will never get use to losing one of their own...SGT SHAWN SIMMONS WAS LOVED BY SO MANY AND SO ABUNTANTLY...He will be missed...GOD SPEED Master Sgt. Shawn Simmons!
ReplyDeleteWhile riding with the Patriot Guards, I was appauled and embarrassed of this fine great city, THE CAPITOL of FLORIDA...
ReplyDeleteBetween the bikers and Master SGT. Shawn Simmons comrades blocking traffic, we were able to escourt this great hero to his final resting place...who by the way, has put HIS life in danger for 17 yrs of service for US AND OUR FREEDOM....only to come back a fallen HERO....It is totally unacceptable that we can not get law inforcement escorts for these somber events, it's hard enough on their families as it is,...you un-patriotic politicains need to WAKE UP AND SMELL THE HOMELESS!!!! I've been on memorial rides for local law enforcements who were killed riding thier motorcycles while NOT on duty,(and I was happy to do this) and there was always law enforcement escourts for that...he was your family, your brother...beside all the stuff that has already been written about this matter in which I totally agree, what kind of message are we sending to our children...This man, one of our own, OUR family, OUR brother got no such respect from law enforcement!!! He had a mother, a wife, a 10 year old son, and a 12 year old daughter...I would love to hear you politicians explain to them why Master Sargent Shawn Simmons just wasn't important enough to do the same for him...a military man is much more MY FAMILY, MY BROTHER OR SISTER...than local law enforcement but don't get me wrong...I respect the ones who are dedicated and help to keep our city safe but that is beside the point...I pay taxes but have no say in this...I DON'T THINK SO!!! These war time heros dead or alive...strive to make a difference, to keep our homeland safe and THEY DESERVE EVERY OUNCE OF RESPECT WE CAN MUSTER UP...my grandchildren will grow up in this rotten warring world....I am so greatful that Master Sgt. Simmons and others like him are fighting for America's safty, and freedom...SHAME ON YOU!!! YOU NEED TO SEND A BIG APOLOGY TO THE SIMMONS FAMILY, and answer for your actions or I should say non actions...they deserve it and you OWE it!!! I saw his weeping wife, son , and daughter...I WAS THERE...WHERE WERE ALL OF YOU????
hollywood