PGR_NTX Patriot Guard A Reminder

Tue Jan 13 17:28:24 CST 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen,

The message and images below were sent to me by our own Edith Smith.  You may know her as the “Afghan Lady.”  She is the founder of Heartmade Blessings, the group who makes Afghans for people who are suffering a tragedy in their lives and who always step up and remember the families of our fallen troops.

If you ever wonder if what you do is important, or if you make a difference…or if your participation or your mission is serious or really a big deal, please take a look at what Edith sent us.

When you get to the second photo and story, remember the mission for Sgt. Wesley Durbin, United States Army, killed in Iraq.  Sgt. Durbin had served a full tour of duty in the United States Marine Corps and feeling that his duty was not yet done, enlisted in the United States Army and went back to the sand.  And he died in defense of his country.  If you still don’t remember; our mission was this past September and it started for us at the General Aviation terminal at DFW National Airport, meeting a Kalitta charter airplane carrying Sgt. Durbin home.  Do you remember when the family approached the airplane to meet Wesley for the first time since he had returned to American soil?  We were all lined up showing our respect.  A young widow with a young daughter in tow was crying desperately, and as she approached the airplane she collapsed on the tarmac, unable to go any farther.  Now you remember.  I don’t think anyone who was there will ever be able to forget witnessing that grief.  She, too, stayed that night – all night – at the funeral home.  And the Sergeant that had accompanied Sgt. Durbin all the way home from Iraq stayed up all night with them both.

You see, the reasons these photos and their story won awards is because what they represent – is - a very big deal.  The act of bringing home a service member and placing him/her back in the hands of their family and placing them in their final resting place is a huge deal.  Just think for a minute; a family, during this most private and strenuous time, takes the time out of their lives to invite US to share that with them and help them along this path.  Think of the list of others who also receive this great honor.  That list is not very long.

You and I have the great privilege in participating in the chain of events depicted in these photographs and stories.  Sit down some time and write down that list of who else gets to do this.  Then eliminate from that list the people who are getting paid to participate.  Now look at who is left.  Now ask yourself if what we do is a big deal.  Ask yourself if it’s worth a little cold, or a little heat, or a little inconvenience for a couple of hours to help out what you are seeing depicted below.  Because what we do doesn’t just happen in pictures.  It happens right before our very eyes.  Right here in North Texas.  We have seen it, lived it, experienced it, touched it and talked to the people.

Look at the photos below.  Read the thank you letters we have gotten.  Read the thank you letters on the national PGR site.  The next time you need a little motivation or kick in the pants to go jump on the bike or fire up the cage and come on out to a mission…asking yourself if it matters…I can assure you that the answer is a clear and confident YES.

Thank you, Edith for sending this along.  This is just what we needed to snap us out of our winter rest.

Everyone, please see below.

Thank you.  Thank you from me, and from each of the family members I have had the privilege of speaking to.  They have all stopped to say thank you.  And they say it to each and every one of you.

Steve Lucas

Deputy State Captain

North Texas PGR

International Picture of the Year 
Here are two very touching photos honored this year�

cid:X.MA1.1231882498 at aol.com
First Place 

Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News 

When 2nd Lt James Cathey's body arrived at the Reno Airport, Marines climbed into the cargo hold of the plane and draped the flag over his casket as passengers watched the family gather on the tarmac. 

During the arrival of another Marine's casket last year at Denver International Airport, Major Steve Beck described the scene as so powerful: 'See the people in the windows? They sat right there in the plane, watching those Marines. You gotta wonder what's going through their minds, knowing that they're on the plane that brought him home,' he said. 'They will remember being on that plane for the rest of their lives. They're going to remember bringing that Marine home. And they should.'�

cid:X.MA2.1231882498 at aol.com
Second Place 
Todd Heisler The Rocky Mountain News 

The night before the burial of her husband's body, Katherine Cathey refused to leave the casket, asking to sleep next to his body for the last time. The Marines made a bed for her, tucking in the sheets below the flag. Before she fell asleep, she opened her laptop computer and played songs that reminded her of 'Cat,' and one of the Marines asked if she wanted them to continue standing watch as she slept. 'I think it would be kind of nice if you kept doing it,' she said. 'I think that's what he would have wanted.' 

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