PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Mission Reminder - Medal of Honor Events, Gainesville, TX

[Mission Information For North Texas PGR]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

I know things are hectic right now, mission wise, but I wanted to send a
reminder about our mission on April 1 and April 4, 2009 to honor at least a
dozen recipients of the Medal of Honor who are coming to Gainesville, TX for
their annual 4 days of events in that fair city.  The PGR will participate
in escorting these gentlemen from DFW Airport to Gainesville on April 1,
2009, most likely late in the afternoon.  We will be met in Gainesville by a
flag line set up by our Gainesville PGR contingent to receive these heroes
in true Texas PGR style.  Outside of the annual national reunion of MOH
recipients or a special event like a Presidential inauguration, this is
likely the largest gathering of Medal of Honor recipients in one location
that exists, and I know you don't want to miss it.  Included in the
recipient list of attendees, and scheduled to be in the escort on April
first is John Finn.  Mr. Finn will be 100 years old this year, the oldest
living recipient, who received his award for action in the face of the enemy
on December 7, 1941 at Pearl Harbor.  Please remember, there are only 98
living recipients of the Medal of Honor remaining.

 

On Saturday, April 4, 2009 there will be a parade in Gainesville honoring
the recipients.  The PGR is participating in this parade.  I have been
attending the meetings of the board of directors planning all of the events
for the recipients for the week of this celebration and recently the board
told the police department that this year's parade may take over an hour.  I
politely reminded the police department that it might take an hour just for
the PGR!!  If we have enough big flag bikes on hand who are interested I
have advised the board that we would like to have a big flag bike on each
front fender of each recipient vehicle as it goes through the parade.  So
far, 12 recipients have confirmed.  That's.wait.24 big flag bikes at least
if we have the interest.  More recipients, more big flag bikes needed.  More
big flag bikes who want to participate, we may even put one at point of each
recipient, making 3 bikes for each recipient vehicle.  That's.wait.math.lots
of flag bikes, and that's just with the recipients.  Not counting the PGR
parade entry itself.

 

Following the parade, the PGR and the active duty military will be sharing
duty as page turners during a 2 hour book signing.  Members of the community
will be able to purchase books, etc., and have the recipients sign them as
they meet the recipients.  Somebody will need to be at the tables with the
recipients to turn the book pages to the pages that highlight that
particular recipient so their recipient can sign and to help keep things
moving.plus get to hang out with a Medal of Honor recipient for a while.  An
Air Force Major told me last week we may have to wrestle with them for this
privilege.  My comment back was, "No problem, Major."  I think we may have
to share this duty in shifts depending on how many PGR members may want to
hang out with a Medal of Honor recipient for a while.  How about that for a
photo op, Bobby??

 

Ladies and Gentlemen, I know that we consider all of our military veterans
and current military personnel great patriots and heroes.  The men we will
see during this weekend, though, have done something - perhaps more than
once - that has distinguished them from the rest.  Their action not only had
to be reported through a chain of command but it also had to withstand a
rigorous investigation to see if it stood up to the highest standards of
conduct.  Only then, and sometimes years after the actual event, were they
recommended for the highest award for valor in the face of the enemy that
this country can bestow - the Medal of Honor.

 

These men and others who have now passed have been coming to Gainesville for
the past 7 years.  This is the first year that the Patriot Guard has been
invited to honor them.  John Finn may not be able to come back for another.
Others may not, either.  Their ranks are dwindling and this is our first
chance to show them what the PGR in North Texas and the surrounding area
thinks of them and how we honor our heroes around here.  To a man, these
recipients will tell you that they aren't heroes, and they mean it.  They
will tell you that the heroes are the ones who are forever young.the ones
who didn't return.  They will tell you that they wear the medal for them and
those like them through all wars, and for those fighting for our country
today.  To hear them speak will inspire you.  Their actions were put under a
microscope and they came out with flying colors.  Now it's our turn in the
PGR to thank them as only we can.  By doing what we do.

 

Additional details will be coming out very soon as to the particulars of the
times and locations.  Please start making your plans to be in the escort,
the parade and at the book signing.  That's Wednesday, April 1 for the
escort and Saturday April 4 for the parade and book signing.  Be on the
lookout for more information soon.  It's only a few weeks until the event.
Let's show them a huge turnout.

 

Thank you all for everything you continue to do.

 

Steve Lucas

Deputy State Captain

North Texas PGR
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