PGR_NTX Patriot Guard No Escort for Vietnam Wall in Decatur

Sat Dec 6 18:11:05 CST 2008

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Before you read the article below from the Wise County Messenger, that looks
like it's going to be published tomorrow, I'd like you to know that the PGR
has been involved in this struggle since we first heard of it a couple of
weeks ago.  A number of Veteran's groups have been involved in this also,
hoping that the organizer(s) would allow a motorcycle escort for the wall.
It was not to be.  Jim Donovan was unrelenting.  It is my understanding that
Mr. Donovan also will not allow David Hall to bring the Liberty Bell.

Many of you may know our very good friend, Gold Star Mom, and a dear lady,
Dorothy Schafernocker - self styled as "Momma nocker."  She lost her son in
combat in Vietnam and drove the truck pulling this wall for a year.  She is
quoted in this article.  She is a firebrand of the finest kind and even she
was not able to convince the powers that be to allow the escort.

I can assure you that I am as angry and upset over this situation as any of
you are, or will be, after this series of events.  I might also remind you
that the PGR is not a group of civil disobedience.  That is not our mission.
This is in no way intended to imply in any way that you are not free to
voice your opinion as you desire, but the N. TX PGR will not be involved in
bringing disrespectful activity anywhere near a symbol that stands for
something so meaningful as the wall.  We will participate in nothing that
will prove Mr. Donovan's predictions to be correct (as you will read below)
or anything that he can point to that may bring discredit to the PGR.  That
is not our stated mission.  That is not what we're about.  We have the
utmost respect for the wall, the names on the wall, and the men, women,
children and veterans of Wise County.  I do not say this because I think
anyone will act in a less than honorable manner.  I say this because I am
well aware of your passion and your pride in your country.  Sometimes such
an overwhelming pride and passion will take over our emotions for a brief
period and my intent is to help us get back on track if some of us (me
included) happen to stray in our thoughts for a moment.  I mean no insult
and hope none took it that way.

The article below is provided for your information.

As a side note, the Wise County Veterans Park is a site where the Wreaths
Across America nationwide event will be celebrated on December 13, 2008.  We
will have missions there, as well as at DFW National Cemetery and at the
City of Cleburne Cemetery.  Please stand by next week for details on those.

Thanks for your wonderful work.

Steve Lucas

Deputy State Captain

North Texas PGR

Moving Wall opens Thursday 

Some upset motorcycle escort won't be allowed 

By Mandy Bourgeois | Published Sunday, December 7, 2008

A replica of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial will be on display in Decatur
Dec. 11-14, and organizers are expecting large crowds while "The Moving
Wall" is on here. 

"We may have more, but 10,000 visitors is a good estimate," said Jim
Donovan, a Vietnam veteran and a member of the veterans group bringing the
wall to Decatur. "We've been getting a lot of calls. We get at least five a
day at my house from Fort Worth or Dallas because word has gotten out at the
VA Clinics. I consider it probably the biggest thing ever to hit Wise
County."

The 250-foot replica memorial will be located at the Decatur Middle School
campus between the tennis courts and the school. The wall will arrive
Wednesday morning, and Donovan invites volunteers to help put the wall
together.

"The more the merrier. We could use anybody," he said. "They can also
volunteer to work during the week."

The group will begin working at 9 a.m.

With the wall comes a traveling museum and information center, as well as a
computer database that allows people to quickly find the location of a name
on the wall. 

The wall will open to the public for viewing Thursday morning and a ceremony
honoring Vietnam veterans will be held at 5:30 p.m. Friday, Dec. 12, at the
middle school's multi-purpose building.

Donovan has spent the last few weeks talking to students in Wise County
schools and said that several schools have arranged for students to view the
wall. 

"We've talked to just about everybody in the county. Chico has promised to
bring nine buses on Friday loaded with students. Bridgeport is going to be
shuttling students back and forth," he said. "It's really taking off. I'm
really happy."

As the day the wall is scheduled to arrive gets closer, Donovan has been
overwhelmed by the support and interest of the county and surrounding areas.

"I really envisioned a local interest. I didn't really realize that just
because we'd put up a sign at the VA clinics and hospitals that it would get
so much attention," Donovan said. "The school kids have been very receptive.
I can't get over how well-behaved and receptive they were to something like
this."

Donovan praised the Decatur school district for their support of the
program.

"Dr. Gary Gindt has just been wonderful in getting help from the maintenance
men, the custodial staff and the principals - they have worked hard,"
Donovan said. "Everybody has been very, very nice."

The organizers have worked for months to raise money to fund the event, and
Donovan said they are still raising money. However, he said that any money
raised before the wall opens stays in Wise County, with extra funds going to
needy veterans and scholarships for veterans' children. Any money raised
Thursday and after will be given to the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund.

While much of the response to the event has been positive, the decision to
not allow an escort into town has ruffled a few feathers. Veteran
motorcyclists groups expecting to provide an escort were saddened when
organizers opted not to have an escort. 

"Bobby (Harris) and I feel that it's solemn and hallowed ground, and it's a
memorial to our brothers who died so I don't want bikes making noise,"
Donovan said. 

Kathleen Renfro of Newark said that the move "is like a slap in the face."

"This is a hot topic for me. What would it hurt to let the other vets ride
in with the wall?" she asked. 

Renfro is a good friend of Dorothy "Mamma" Schafernocker of Newark, a mother
of a Vietnam soldier killed in action. Schafernocker holds picnics twice
annually at her land near Eagle Mountain Lake for veterans, which attracts
many motorcyclist groups. 

"I have met them and I have talked to them. It just seems cruel," Renfro
said. "Mom puts great care into these picnics. I've met them over the last
eight years. Our Mamma Schafernocker, she is a very sweet person. She lost
her son in that war. For them not to let the bikers come - I don't get it."

Renfro feels that allowing the veterans to provide an escort would be
another therapeutic outlet. 

"They would get comfort from being able to escort it into town. These men
and women have feelings, you know? In a perfect world, they would all just
get along and be able to ride in with it," she said. 

Renfro said that Schafernocker was in Rogers at another wall ceremony this
week but said she will be home in time to attend the Decatur event.

"Just in case somebody shows up that might need her, she'll be there,"
Renfro said. 

Copyright 2008 Wise County Messenger
PO Box 149, 115 South Trinity, Decatur, Texas 76234 | 940-627-5987 | FAX
940-627-1004 | www.wcmessenger.com | webmaster at wcmessenger.com

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