It’s been nearly two years since an explosion in Iraq robbed North Mankatoans Charlie and Barb Thompson of their son, Jacob.

For Marny and Raymond Fasnacht of Janesville, it’s been about five years since their son, Michael, was killed while on patrol in a Bradley fighting vehicle.

In the years since, the thoughtful phone calls and other well-meaning gestures of support have, naturally, waned somewhat. Their feeling of loss, however, has not, nor has the emptiness they feel when they wonder why their sons were taken.

On Saturday, in visits to the cemeteries in which the soldiers are buried, came a gesture that served to let the families know that some have no intention of forgetting the sacrifices Jacob and Michael made.

The Military Salute Project pairs the Patriot Guard Riders (Harley riders who honor veterans) with Bugles Across America, a group that provides buglers for veterans’ funerals. Together they’re making sure taps is played at the grave of every fallen soldier from Minnesota.

Madison Lake bugler Michael Omtvedt joined Military Salute Project founder Jeff Seeber and several dozen bikers to both grave sites Saturday.

Staff Sgt. Jacob M. Thompson

“Jacob Thompson, U.S. Army, 25 years old,” Seeber announces to those gathered at Calvary Cemetery. Died August 6, 2007. We thank you for your service. We thank you for your sacrifice. We will remember you.”

There’s an expression that says time heals all wounds. If that’s the case, time has a ways to go on Charlie Thompson.

“They say it gets easier,” he said, standing a few feet from his son’s grave. “The tears slow down, but no, it doesn’t get easier ... I think if I could have saw him one more time, maybe that would have made it easier.”

It’s hard to forget that picture of Charlie Thompson, taken by a Free Press photographer. It showed Thompson leaning on the back end and peering into an open hearse. It was as if he was insisting on one last man-to-man with his son before he said goodbye.

Seeing him, though, may have been worse. He remembers being advised by others not to demand seeing his son’s corpse. And he thinks Jacob would have wanted his father to remember him the way he was when he left: As a man who was born to be a soldier, and a man who believed in what he did and loved it.

Charlie Thompson said he first learned about the Military Salute Project, and its intention to visit his son’s grave, from the newspaper.

“I thought it was intriguing,” he said. “Then I thought, ‘Boy, that’s neat.’”

The Patriot Guard Riders surrounded the headstone like a family: closely gathered, heads down, hands clasped in front of them.