I woke up this morning and checked the local paper. I saw an article in the News-Gazette, the local paper about a local soldier returning home this morning. I had thirty minutes to walk the dog, get dressed and get there. Made it with time to spare.




I got there ten minutes early and I followed Savoy's fire truck assuming they knew where they were going. I parked just outside the flight operations area of the small local airport and snapped a few photos and my plan was to drop into the procession at the end and join it to Rantoul.

Rantoul, a small town of about 10K, had a pair of squad cars at the front of what was shaping up to be a long procession.





Savoy's volunteer firefighters, along with Urbana firefighters set up a flag at the entrance of the airport's flight ops area - a pretty significant honor in these parts.



Finally, the procession began. I was surprised when the hearse was firmly in the middle of the procession. I expected it at the front. The hearse and the immediate family's vehicles were sandwiched between a very large contingent of Patriot Guard riders. Probably a hundred bikes plus plenty of "support vehicles".

The article in the paper said "representatives of several police and fire agencies" would escort Sgt. Rudzinski's remains. "Several" turned out to be scores of towns - from as much as nearly an hour away. Some of the very small town fire apparatus weren't nearly as new and fancy as others, but they were still proud to be there to honor this soldier.

We made it past hundreds of people in Savoy between the airport and the Interstate ramp south of town and to the Interstate itself. Traffic was stopped for the procession. Lots of people were out of their cars watching. Quite a few in the south-bound lanes of I-57 stopped for the procession. And nearly every overpass had someone or a group of someones watching or saluting the procession.






Finally, we made it to Rantoul. On the trip, one of the police chase vehicles had me move up in the procession to just in front of the rearmost Patriot Guard flag truck and they blocked everything behind that.



For whatever reason, all the police and fire vehicles fired up their sirens as we got off the Interstate. Small flags lined the road on both sides every 15 feet or less. Hundreds and hundreds and hundreds more.



Once we got off the Interstate, 3x5 flags were added, in addition to the small flags, every 15-20 feet. Hundreds. I've never seen so many flags in one place in my life.

As we got closer to Rantoul proper, it was clear that most of the town turned out to show their respects for this young soldier. As clear as the weather looks, there was a lot of dust as lots of people were wiping their eyes, including me.







Rantoul & Paxton ladder trucks made the honorary flag display for the escort. Paxton is an even smaller town about 20 plus miles north of Rantoul.





Churches apparently let out early so the congregations could pay their respects...



This one really got me. The young scout doing the scout salute to the procession.





Another slew of fire trucks and police joined the rear of the already long procession when we got off the Interstate. With their sirens blaring. Lily, my faithful companion canine, didn't seem to mind the sirens too much.









The coffin was wheeled into the Chapel with a military honor guard, in addition to scores of Patriot Guard riders.

I am so honored I was able to be a part of the escort procession for this fallen soldier. Thought I'd share with the folks here at Arfcom.

RIP Sgt. Rudzinski.

John

RIP bro

We will be ready when you come back with Gods warriors.

dusty in here...

Dam nice procession. I think there is a bit of dust in my eye too. God bless our troops.

thanks for that

Slow . . . Salute . . .


RIP Sgt. Rudzinski

Thank you for posting this.

I was hard to read through teary eyes though....

Rest in peace Sgt. Rudzinski.

28 years old

lest we forget

Thanks for sharing your pictures and comments. Reminds us again, the price some pay for our freedom.

Welcome home Sarge....R.I.P. Soldier.

Very nice. Thank you for posting those pics.

Here too, and it's raining.

Rest in peace, brother. Your tour is complete.

Threads like these always make me blubber like a baby. Thanks for posting the pics.


Rest in Peace Christopher.

ETERNAL R & R MY BROTHER

dbltap

http://www.legacy.com/news-gazette/Obituaries.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=134837145

RANTOUL – Christopher Michael Rudzinski, age 28 of Rantoul, died Friday (Oct. 16, 2009) near Kandahar, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered while conducting military operations in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. He was a staff sergeant in the United States Army Military Police Corps.

Christopher was born in Augsburg, Germany, on Aug. 29, 1981, a son of Michael Charles Rudzinski and Bonita Kay (Jackson) Rudzinski.

In addition to his wife Caroline and son Ryan, Christopher is survived by his parents, Michael and Natalie Rudzinski of Rantoul; his sister, Annette Dalton of Fisher; three brothers, Private First Class Jordan Rudzinski, Germany, and Christian and Alexander Rudzinski of Rantoul; nephews Ian and Sean Dalton of Fisher; his paternal grandmother, Janet Rudzinski of Canton, Mich.; maternal grandparents David and Valerie Grindley of Urbana; a great-grandmother, Nadine Legue of Urbana; and several aunts and uncles and their families, Eric and Judy Rudzinski of Chicago, David and Gwen Rudzinski of Port Angeles, Wash., Oliver and Martina Hemming of Atlanta, Ga., Erick and Sonya Grindley of St. Joseph and James and Martha Jackson of San Antonio, Texas.

He was preceded in death by his mother, Bonita, and his beloved sister, Jacqueline Rudzinski.

Christopher was a 1999 graduate of Rantoul Township High School, where he was active in the marching band, madrigal and Help Peers.

Prior to coming to Rantoul, he lived in Germany, Arizona and Washington.

Growing up a military brat and being part of a family with a tradition of military service in the U.S. armed forces dating back to the Second World War, he enlisted in the United States Army at the age of 17 and was sworn into service by his father, Michael.

He was an M1 Abrams tank armor crewman and attended basic training and the armor school at Fort Knox, Ky., where he was subsequently assigned to Germany and deployed on his first tour to support the peacekeeping operations in Kosovo. Christopher was later transferred to Fort Hood, Texas, and assigned to the 4th Infantry Division and subsequently deployed to Iraq for Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003. Toward the end of this deployment, he became ill with leishmaniasis and was medically evacuated to Walter Reed Army Hospital for treatment.

Christopher re-enlisted for service as a military police officer and graduated from MP training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., in 2004. He was again assigned to Germany where he met Caroline and later deployed to Iraq on his third tour, this time training and mentoring Iraqi policemen. While home on leave during the tour, he married the love of his life, Caroline.

Upon returning to Germany, Christopher resumed his police duties and later became an investigator and MP desk sergeant. In September 2008, Caroline gave birth to Ryan, and Christopher added "devoted dad" to his responsibilities. His last military assignment was to Fort Stewart, Ga., where he deployed to Afghanistan with the 293rd MP Company on his last tour and subsequently died in the service of his country.

His military awards included the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart, four Army Commendation Medals, four Army Achievement Medals, three Army Good Conduct Medals, the National Defense Service Medal, the Kosovo Campaign Medal, the Iraqi Campaign Medal, the Afghanistan Campaign Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, the Noncommissioned Officer Professional Development Ribbon, the Army Service Ribbon, the Overseas Service Ribbon, the NATO Medal, the Combat Action Badge, the Driver's Badge, and the German Schutzenschnur Badge in Gold.

Christopher had a love of cars, fishing, video games, friends, family and Walt Disney World.

Visitation is on Sunday, Oct. 25, at Rantoul Township High School, 200 Sheldon, Rantoul, from 2 p.m. to 6 p.m. A memorial service and celebration of his life will follow at 7 p.m. at the Rantoul Township High School Gymnasium. A Mass of Christian Burial will be held at St. Malachy Catholic Church at 11 a.m. Monday with a graveside service following at Holy Sepulchre Cemetery, Rantoul.

Memorial contributions may be made to the Ryan A. Rudzinski Scholarship Fund c/o Community Plus Federal Credit Union in Rantoul or to any veteran's service organization of the donor's choice.



Looks like his vehicle was hit by an IED. http://projects.washingtonpost.com/fallen/dates/2009/oct/16/christopher––m-rudzinski/

Rest in Peace Sgt. Christopher Rudzinski.

God Bless America

Thanks for posting Templar......

We sleep safer at night due to brave men like you Stg. Christopher Rudzinski.

RIP