Patriot Guard Riders: SSgt. Eric Caban

On July 29th I was going to TCU to shoot something completely different for a local publication. As I turned the corner I was greeted by a sea of red white and blue and more than a few solemn faces that exuded both a graven mood and one of pride. I knew instantly that I had turned into a Patriot Guard Rider scene. I have admired their work from afar, but never actually seen it in action. I decided that I would go to my real job late. It was time for the Uzz to document this for prosperity and for the family of SSgt. Eric Caban, a man who gave his life for all of us who covet our freedom.
I was apprehensive about walking up and taking pictures, so I started in the shadows and eventually talked to one of the riders who assured me that it was more than fine to shoot pictures and that all of them take pictures from time to time. That made me feel a lot better.
The colors were overwhelming! The breeze turned the flags into twisting ripples of red white and blue and so I started shooting. Everywhere I saw different types of people brought together for a bigger purpose.
All of these men and women were here for a man they probably did not know, but a man they were all thankful for. SSgt. Caban gave the ultimate sacrifice on July 19th in Afghanistan. At one point, a booming voice announced "One minute!"
A short time later SSgt. Caban emerged from the church. Wrapped in a blaze of glory and carried through that sea of flags held high by members of the Patriot Guard Riders. Carried by his brothers. Carried by all of us who will remember his sacrifice. SSgt. Caban was a member of the 3rd Battalion, 7th Special Forces Group (Airborne) out of Fort Bragg, N.C.
The Patriot Guard Riders are amazing to me. They honor our soldiers who died defending this incredible country and they shield families from those who would spew hate at our fallen heroes. They are men. They are women. Some are rich. Some are not. They are just a group of people who do this out of the goodness of their collective hearts and who seek no glory or notoriety, just to honor the dead in their unique way.
They understand. They mourn. They reflect. They ride. Some say they hate to see a grown man cry, but I think that when you see one of these bikers show such raw emotion that is genuine in every way, its just a powerful experience. As I shot these pictures I kept looking for that emotion, but when the flag-draped coffin emerged, even my tears began to flow...which makes it a lot harder to shoot.
I hope you all liked these pictures and words, but I also hope that someone else out there might be able to help me get some of these images to the family. For those who do not know me, I am a professional photographer based out of Fort Worth. I want to reiterate that I did not sell these pictures to anyone. I do not believe in making money like that. I simply shot these pictures to tell a story on this blog and to do a little something for a fallen hero. Its the least I can do for such a noble man.

Comments

[Brent (Coffeymaker) Coffey]

I was one of the PGR there on Saturday. I tell you, that sea of red, white and blue tear me up everytime. I appreciate your email on our web site and your blog here. I would just like to say, we are not a biker group, we have many cages (cars, trucks) and many members that support through email and prayers. Great photos, thank you for your kind words and your time. People whom love our country and have honor and respect for our service men and women and their families, are always welcome where ever we are.
May God bless you, God bless America.

[Robbie]

Uzz --- I didn't get to make this mission. But I'm ever so thankful that you did.

Your words and images are a moving tribute to the memory of SSG Caban.

All of those images are amazing...but that last one...the shadow cast on the lone rider, with his head lowered, contrasted against the white of the building...that one really resonates with me. There's a lot of emotion in that single moment of time.

Thank you for capturing it.

[LaVerne]

Uzz, Thank you for your appreciation of what we do. Unfortunately, I was unable to do this ride, but my husband was there. Sadly, we did two on Monday. If you will contact Thompsons, Harveson & Cole, I am sure they will help you contact the family. God Bless You,
LaVerne Parnell

[Primo]

Uzz, I have to echo the respenses... Great photos of a great cause. This was my first ride (mission) with "The Guard" and it brought back so many feelings and memories. I had made a promise to myself that I would ride as many as I could but as it turns out things do get in the way. Unfortunatly, there will be others.

[BikerGran]

Uzz,
Thank you so much for posting these pictures. Your perspective is awesome.

[E.R. (WINGMAN) STROUD]

THANK YOU FOR YOUR KIND WORDS AND GREAT PICTURES OF THE MISSION. YOU ARE WELCOME ANYTIME. THE PGR RIDES THESE MISSIONS OUT OF HONOR AND RESPECT FOR THE FALLEN HERO AND THERE FAMILY.WE HAVE ANOTHER MISSION ON SUNDAY IN FORT WORTH. I ALWAYS SAY:
"ITS JUST WHAT WE DO"
E.R.(WINGMAN) STROUD
PGR ASST STATE CAPTAIN
ALWAYS AT YOUR SERVICE
214-499-0123

[alli]

Fantastic pictures, Uzz. I've read a bit about the Patriot Guard, but have never seen them in action... Nice to know that this country is still full of good people willing to do the right thing. :)

[Army of Mom]

Nice shots, as usual. If you want help forwarding a CD to the family, let me know and I'll start making phone calls.

You did a great job with this one.

[Cullen]

The internet ate my post earlier. I echo AoM's comment. Fantastic work, as usual. Especially the perspective shot, third one down. Amazing. And I mean, "Buy a quality print and put it on the wall" kind of amazing.

[Miriam]

Thank you so much for your words and taking the time to take these pictures, looking back now through your eyes we can really appreciate the honor that the Patriot Guards bestowed upon our Eric.
We thank everyone.
God Bless

[Olga Caban Gonzalez]

We are thankful you took the time to take these beautiful pictures. We were truly moved by the sea of Red, White and Blue formed by the Patriot Guards as we exited the church. God Bless You all. Thank You for honoring our hero, Staff Sgt. Eric Caban. Our family is forever grateful.

[Herb Gonzalez]

My wife Olga posted her comments and I echo her comments. We thank the PGR for their support of all our men and women in the Armed Forces. We thank them for allowing the family to give our Nephew Eric the respect he EARNED. As his Father Stated "Freedom is not Free".
Forever in our Hearts.
You have our email, we welcome your pictures.
Herb Gonzalez

[Uzz]

Thanks to all of you who stopped by and a heartfelt thank you goes out to the family members of SSgt. Caban!!! As soon as I can get to editing the others, I will get those to you asap. It is great to see so much love for our fallen heroes and I am just happy that God put me there that day! God Bless you all!

[Sarah]

Thank you so much for the wonderful words...the pictures are beautiful...I am the wife of Eric's brother and would love to contact you about the pictures. Thanks again for your work!

[Tomas J Caban]

Thank you guys so much my mom aunt and uncle wrote earlier and i just had to say it myself you guys took amazing pictures and The family is forever grateful.

[Arlene]

Wow, I can't even explain what these photos do to me...so sad, and so moving!

[ExRanger]

I had the distinct pleasure to serve with Eric Caban when he was still with the 3rd Ranger Battalion at Fort Benning. I got out of the Army one month to the day after Eric ETS'd the first time. I had no idea he had decided to enlist again until I read about his death. No one deserves your thoughts and prayers more than Eric's family. He was a top man and I'm sure his family are top people as well.

[Texasjack]

A friend of mine was a captain serving with SSgt. Caban. As a thanks for some things I helped with, he sent me a flag that flew over FOB Cobra with a certificate dedicating it to Eric. It is now proudly displayed in my office. I post this so you'll know that he is remembered and honored beyond the few who were lucky enough to know him personally.

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[Joy]

Thanks for sharing, what a sad, humbling, yet very proud moment to stuble apon.
Thank You SSgt Eric Caban and your family for a brave fallen hero. RIP
And Thank You Uzz also, keep em coming.
And Thanks to the Patroit Guard Riders, it must not be easy to go thru this all the time but I am sure your presents and respect of our service Men and Women is greatly felt with a srtonge force. Thank You for being there for all of us who are not

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