Fitting Honor for Fallen Marine by Patriot Guard Riders and Citizens

Crowd salutes fallen Marine
Fredericksburg.com
BY REGINA WEISS
THE FREE LANCE–STAR

Lee Russell leaned against his motorcycle Tuesday afternoon outside the Fraternal Order of the Eagles, joining the crowds honoring Sgt. Charles C. Strong, a Marine who died Sept. 15 in combat in Afghanistan.

Many others joined Russell to watch the Stafford County Sheriff deputies and the Strength and Honor Motorcycle Club escort the hearse carrying Strong’s body, but for Russell, it was personal.

He was remembering the death of his own son, Army Special Forces Sgt. 1st Class Michael Russell, who died trying to save others in Afghanistan in 2005.

“I’m standing for him, because he would do it, he would be out here,” Russell said.

Russell, who was part of the escort June 27 for deceased Marine Staff Sgt. David H. Stewart, is a member of the Patriot Guard Riders, an organization whose members attend funerals of those who serve in the military.
read more here

Sep 23, 2014 A crowd gathered at the Eagles Lodge on Cool Springs Road in Stafford County to honor Marine Sgt. Charles C. Strong, 28, who died Sept. 15 in Afghanistan. His funeral procession passed through the Fredericksburg area Tuesday, Sept. 23.