PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Confirmed HOTH Mission

[Mission Information For North Texas PGR]

Ladies and Gentlemen,
 
We have a confirmed mission to escort Army SSG Jay Wilkerson, a combat
veteran severely wounded in Iraq who many of you may have heard of via media
stories about, from DFW airport to a motel in Arlington when he and his
caretaker arrive on October 16, 2008.  He has chosen the Dallas/Fort Worth
area in which to make a home for him and his two dependent children.  The
Dalworthington Gardens Police Department will be providing escort services
along the entire route and we have been asked to welcome him here and be
involved in the escort also.  Our own Tony Dukes personally knows SSG
Wilkerson and has helped us in these arrangements.  His flight should be
coming in around mid-day but further information will be forthcoming as the
mission nears.  Below is a brief bio. on SSG Wilkerson and I'm sure
additional info. can be gained via the internet.  Please stand by for
additional information as we welcome this man, who has chosen our home as
the place to make his own.
 
Steve Lucas
 
Jay Wilkerson is a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army, a veteran of the war in
Iraq. A career military man, Jay served ten years in the U.S. Navy before
joining the Army Reserves. When his unit was called to active duty in 2005,
he deployed to Iraq, where he completed more than 800 missions as part of a
convoy group called the 'Rough Riders.'

On the morning of March 28, 2006, while traveling on a heavily-contested
stretch of road outside Fallujah, Jay's convoy was ambushed by insurgents.
Jay's humvee was rocked by an explosion, but they were able to maneuver the
up-armored vehicle through the blast to safety. On the return leg of that
same mission, his convoy was attacked again. Two rocket-propelled grenades
slammed into the Staff Sergeant's humvee, demolishing the vehicle, killing
the Soldier next to him, and leaving Jay with traumatic brain injuries
(TBI), a C-5 spinal fracture and numerous other injuries to the left side of
his face and body.

Jay's path toward recovery has been long and arduous, and it continues to
this day as he struggles to reclaim and redefine his life in the wake of his
injuries. Jay was awarded 2 Purple Heart medals in April of 2006 for the
injuries he sustained and on September 6, 2007, he was awarded the Bronze
Star for meritorious service in Iraq. His story and the tale of his physical
and emotional ordeal have been featured on national television news programs
and several documentaries, including James Gandolfini's HBO special, 'Alive
Day Memories: Home from Iraq.' 

Jay is now looking toward his retirement years. He is actively looking for a
home that will meet not only his physical needs, but also the needs of his
two dependent children. After months of researching properties throughout
the United States, SSG Wilkerson is convinced that Texas will become his new
home of record.

SSG Jay Wilkerson has served as a warrior in uniform - serving his country
proudly. Today, he is still a warrior - fighting to regain as much use of
his body and mind as he can. Beyond both, he is a man in search of meaning.
This is his journey. 
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