Sad sight on the way back from Dcon

[PepperElf]

Not really a roadkill, cos it didn't involve bad driving etc... just a sad sight.

We were counting cop cars on the way back from dragoncon cos there was a lot out on the highway this weekend, when we saw a couple going down the highway on the other side.


First two cars were running the lights but we didn't hear sirens, just saw flashing lights and headlights flashing in an alternating pattern. Then another and another...

It wasn't long until we realized what was going on. It wasn't a regular motorcade. I mean I saw the Vice President's motorcade once and this was far far bigger...

In the middle of the motorcade was a hearse.
Most of us pulled off to the shoulder, even though we were on the opposite side of the highway, to pay respects.

Whomever you are, rest in peace.

[Food Lady]

I always cry when I see that, and sometimes when I hear an ambulance. Usually say a prayer for the person in the ambulance. It's possible to care about someone you don't even know, as we've demonstrated on this site.

[Merriweather]

Quoth PepperElf

Not really a roadkill, cos it didn't involve bad driving etc... just a sad sight.

We were counting cop cars on the way back from dragoncon cos there was a lot out on the highway this weekend, when we saw a couple going down the highway on the other side.


First two cars were running the lights but we didn't hear sirens, just saw flashing lights and headlights flashing in an alternating pattern. Then another and another...

It wasn't long until we realized what was going on. It wasn't a regular motorcade. I mean I saw the Vice President's motorcade once and this was far far bigger...

In the middle of the motorcade was a hearse.
Most of us pulled off to the shoulder, even though we were on the opposite side of the highway, to pay respects.

Whomever you are, rest in peace.

i don't know what has changed in funeral customs in the US over the years (I've been lucky to have to attend very few), but funeral processions used to be fairly common. When the deceased was taken from the funeral home to the cemetary for the burial service, those attending would gather at the funeral home, then follow the hearse to the cemetary - everyone drove very slow, and everyone kept their headlights on, and drivers knew to let the entire procession pass rather than cut across or get into it for turns, etc (even traffic lights were ignored if they changed in the middle of the line of cars). Sometimes a cop would follow, but not always. It wasn't just done for VIP's or large funerals, but for almost all funerals. Now that I think of it, I haven't seen one in at least a decade, but used to see several a year. Maybe nowadays everyone just meets at the cemetary, rather than meeting at the funeral home and proceeding as a group to the cemetary?

[RecoveringKinkoid]

I dunno, down here we generally have the long processions of cars with the lights on. A friend of mine died couple years ago, a younger man who knew every damn body. His service for some reason was on the opposite end of town from the cemetery he was being buried at. It took something like two hours to get across town because of the traffic and the motorcade and all that.

Not sure why it was planned that way.

[PepperElf]

on normal streets it's the same still... procession goes slowly, often has a police escort and right-of-way, and traffic on both sides stops.

(and if someone is dumb enough to try to cut in they get pulled over by the cops - yes i saw it once)


in this case however it was on a large divided highway - not just a wide space between both sides but cement dividers too - so the motorcade was going at a pretty good pace. Technically, since we were on the other side of the highway (they were southbound, we were northbound) we didn't have to stop at all... but we chose to - as did many others - to show respect.

(and yeah, i always say a little prayer when i see rescue vehicles going by)

[Pixilated]

The city I've lived in for about a decade now is, sadly, the first place I've ever seen where motorists pull over for a funeral procession. First time it happened I couldn't quite figure out what was going on, until I saw the hearse with the flashing purple light. It's a very nice and respectful custom and I'm just sorry it seems to be fading away in most places.

[Shpepper]

If it was a line of law enforcement vehicles, it was probably a member of law enforcement who passed away. I have video of the funeral procession for the 4 officers who were killed out here in Washington a couple of years ago. I was driving home from work and the procession was on the freeway.

[PepperElf]

that's what i was figuring. when my uncle died (retired LEO) they had a uniformed officer (in police dress uniform) at the casket standing watch. kinda like what the marines do.

and he'd died of natural causes.

with that procession i was thinking, either someone very high ranked or killed in the line of duty

[BrenDAnn]

Out of curiosity, would the timing have been right for it to have been one of the soldiers (SEALS, I believe) recently killed in Afghanistan? Also, as for processions, they are still very common around here. The cops are really good about traffic control for them too.

[Andara Bledin]

I haven't seen one around here for a while, though I'm not on the road a lot.

The last one I saw, however, they had window decals to identify the members of the procession, which I think is a brilliant idea.

^-.-^