PGR_NTX Patriot Guard A letter

[Mission Information For North Texas PGR]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

I thought everyone might like to see this message from Ride Captain Ted
Beauchamp and a letter he came across.

 

Steve Lucas

Deputy State Captain

North Texas PGR

If you ever think we aren't being noticed at a mission, please read the
letter below that I found on the PGR website.  There are thousands of others
posted under "Letters of Appreciation".  The public is very aware of us and
we are appreciated for what we do.  Stand proud when you are at a mission
and just because someone doesn't come up and thank you personally, don't
think you aren't noticed.  I'm proud to ride with each and every one of you.

Ted B.


A Veteran - whether active duty, retired, national guard or reserve - is
someone who, at one point in their life, wrote a check made payable "To the
United States of America", for an amount "up to and including my life". 

05/27/09

Good afternoon,

I do not know if I am sending this to the correct place, but I wanted to
share a story that touched me.

On May 25th I attended the ceremony at Maple Hill Cemetery in Huntsville,
Alabama. During the program 3 or your groups motorcycles rode in front of
where we sat, and I must say I have never been around motorcycles much. The
boys that rode past looked very good, and those bikes looked so lovely
flying their flags. (even if they did rumble the ground a bit) I saw on the
last bike a large flag with the name Patriot Guard Riders, and I had seen
them on TV once or twice for local funeral services. I have also seen those
banners on their windshields as I have been around town on errands. Now I
know what they mean.

What I wanted to write about, was something I saw. As the ceremony was
taking place your boys and girls ( I can say that I am an older lady after
all) stood in a flag line the entire time in the heat. A few of them were
going around passing out water, and checking on the others, taking their
place as needed. I found myself glancing over at them a lot during the more
long winded portions of the program.

What I saw one member do was something that really touched me. Thinking back
on it almost brings tears to my eyes, and this is what I wanted to tell you
about so much that I am having my granddaughter type this for me on her
computer, and try to find where to send it. 

One of the boys, who was wearing a red hat with your logo on it, and seemed
to be the one checking on the others and coordinating things. He was walking
around checking on people, and I saw him walk over to one of the men on a
motorcycle and talk to him. On his way back to your group, he paused and
looked at a very small broken flag on a grave. I watched this young man
instead of the ceremony for a moment. He walked away and then back to the
flag, and got on his knees in the wet grass and dirt, and with a piece of
wire or string started to repair that flag on that grave. That little flag
on a stick couldn't have cost more than a dollar but he treated it with as
much respect and care as a presidential flag as he tried to put it back
right. After he repaired it he walked away and continued on with what he was
doing and I went back to watching to ceremony. I kept thinking about that
young man doing what he did the rest of the ceremony. It really touched me.

I wanted to thank that young man. but I did not get a chance to. So I wonder
if you might know who that young man was, and to let him know that when ever
I am out I will not be so annoyed by those loud motorcycles I hear on the
road, and I will try to be a little more careful of the ones that ride near
me with their flags and banners. Because those young men and women with
their leather outfits and motorcycles are doing such an important job. I
didn't think the younger generations cared about their country, or veterans
as much as some of us older folks, but this young man proved me wrong.

Have a good day, and God bless!
MaryAnn Anderson
Huntsville, AL

 
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