I do not wear the "mask of oppression" except for a couple of instances, which are:
1). In a clinical setting performing EMS duties and at the hospital.
2). In a small shop or restaurant, but only so the establishment doesn't get in trouble.
3). At a funeral with the Patriot Guard Riders in MA & RI, but not in CT.
The last one I was reminded of today. I attended the military funeral of A2C Jerome Morin at the Massachusetts Veterans Memorial Cemetery in Agawam. It was the destination for the final motorcycle ride of the winter. I do not want to be "the guy" to disrupt someones funeral for refusing to wear a mask. That is not the hill to die on fighting tyrannical face diaper diktats, whereas waltzing into a big box store or other public place certainly is.
It was great to be out on "The Beast" today. I had been looking forward to today all week at work. Temps were in the mid 60's and as usual for a PGR mission at the Veterans Cemetery, we meet up at the Dunkin' Donuts on Main St. in Agawam. It was good to see everyone that we haven't seen since last year. The 2 mile ride down RT. 159 from D.D. to the cemetery is police escorted at the front and back, and today was a good turnout. The ceremony for us is about an hour. We set up the flag line before the family arrives, and stay in formation until the family leaves. If its the last funeral of the day and the family hangs around, we wait until the family member that was presented the flag leaves. If it is apparent no one is leaving, we'll stay standing for a good 10-15 minutes before we are dismissed by the ride captain.
After I have done my PGR duty there, its time to make the rounds. My parents, an aunt and uncle, and a cousin are interred there. I visit each of their graves and leave a bright shiny penny on the top of the markers. I know the penny isn't there long, but hopefully long enough to tell either cemetery workers or other visitors that those graves matter to someone that still comes to pay respects.
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