PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Making A Difference

Sat Mar 14 00:41:23 CDT 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Our esteemed webmaster, Harold Tranter, was diligently pursuing his duties
in researching where the visitors to our web site come from and otherwise
going through the daily/weekly web statistics and came across a web site
forum that mentioned the North Texas PGR quite favorably.  It's a
professional soldiers web site, entitled "Home of the Quiet Professionals"
and displays the logo/motto of the Green Beret.  Mentioned in one of their
forum discussions is our recent mission for SSG Jeremy Bessa.  One of the
quotes from that discussion is as follows (I removed the names of the
posting parties since I don't have permission to use any of this):

Originally Posted by
<http://www.professionalsoldiers.com/forums/showthread.php?p=253979#post2539
79> View Post

A friend of mine rode the escort from Addison Airport to the Funeral Home
today. He said that it was the LARGEST turnout for an initial escort that he
has seen!! 70+ Bikes.

I'll be riding with the procession tomorrow, but also plan on mixing with
our Brothers.

Will take some pics and report tomorrow evening.

Later.

I made the Ride today. There were 80-100 Bikes, and it was unreal. This was
my first run with The Patriot Guard, and they are a CLASS ACT!!! I spent
some time with the SF guys that were there, the SF guys sorta
collected/gathered in one area. BG Repass, his Command and the 3rd Group
folks, came over to the "Collection" of FOGs that were present from Chapter
31 here, along with some AD folks that attended, and were most
hospitable......I felt like I knew them all!! 

So, until I see'ya on that FINAL DZ,..........Jeremy...Hang Tough and we'll
see'ya on the other side!!!!! 

I want to share this with you in order to continue to demonstrate as best I
can that each and every time you put on your Patriot Guard vest or gear, and
every time you get on your bike or in your cage and it's marked with a PGR
banner, flag or other identifying insignia, you are being identified.  You
are well known and getting better known by the public every day.  You have a
reputation with this organization as a - in capital letters with 3
exclamation marks - "CLASS ACT!!!"

I compliment you all.  This kind of praise is not just thrown around, it's
earned.  It's earned through hard work and dedication.  Once a reputation
like this is earned, it's even harder to maintain and improve upon.

You can all stand tall and be very proud of what you do for these patriots
and heroes and their families.  When units such as the Green Beret, the 82nd
Airborne, Marine Honor Detachments and others are proud to mix and mingle
with you and impressed with what you do for their brothers and sisters in
arms, you must be doing something right.  When the families, as far as I
know without exception, take extra time on the saddest day of their lives to
go to the ride captains and express their thanks and admiration for what a
difference the Patriot Guard has made to them, you have done a very good
thing.  No matter whether the mission is for a KIA or an elderly veteran, it
makes no difference.  To that family, it's likely their first and maybe
their only experience with the Patriot Guard.  The mission you're about to
start may be your 500th, but it's their very first and maybe their very
last, and there is absolutely incredibly important to them and something
they will remember for the rest of their lives.  The riders in North Texas
do a wonderful job in making that day special for them and for their guests.

There are days, and have been recently, where we have done several in a row
at DFW National, and have done several in different locations in one day.
And you have stepped up like the heroes each of you are, without complaint,
and been there for every family.  I have heard your leaders marvel at your
dedication, your steadfastness, and your stamina.  I have heard military
officers and enlisted alike say the same things.  "We see y'all everywhere.
Do you ever sleep?"  I'm not kidding!  We've gotten to know some of these
military people pretty well from seeing them so many times.  I think there
are many among us who could easily fill in for the personnel at DFW National
Cemetery and who among us could not do a very good impression of Al saying -
"I would like you now to prepare yourselves for 3 volleys of rifle fire."
Am I right?

My point is, you are noticed.  Not just on a mission, but everywhere you go.
People know who the PGR is in North Texas and it's because of your wonderful
work.  This is demonstrated by the snippet from the discussion forum I
pasted above.

Have we "arrived" yet?  Is it OK to get the big head?  Not by a long shot.
There is still much we all have to learn and much we all can improve on.
But as the Deputy State Captain for North Texas I am very proud of all of
you.  And I'm not leaving out our brothers and sisters in the Sherman area,
the Gainesville area, the Wichita Falls area, the Breckenridge area, the
Mineral Wells area, the Waxahachie area, and everywhere else where missions
occur on a regular basis outside of the metroplex.  Believe it or not, I
hear things from folks all over the place, and we can be proud of everyone
in the whole region.

The PGR is the only organization who does what we do.  I think that's
because it's very difficult.  It's physically demanding to do this year
round.  It's hard to see all that grief.  Your ride captains have to be
magicians to make all the connections with families, funeral homes, escort
companies, flag people, water people, cemetery people, etc., and do it all
extremely fast - and then have it all change 3 or 4 times - and make it come
out looking like it was a piece of cake.and do it for every mission.  Yes,
what the PGR does is very difficult.on everyone involved.  It's not easy
standing in that flag line and anybody who says it is hasn't stood in one.

I'm very honored you allow me to serve you and to serve with you.  You are
the PGR and you make a difference.  I've tried to show you just one small
example of that in this message.  OK, it was a long message - so shoot
me.no, wait.  I know how many of you carry weapons.  I don't get to shake
everyone's hand at every mission, and not everyone can attend every mission.
So to everyone this message reaches, and who had the patience to read this
far, please consider your hand shaken, a hug given, and allow me to express
my personal thanks for your service to the patriots and heroes, their
families, and your fellow PGR members.

Be safe, everyone.

Steve Lucas

Deputy State Captain

North Texas PGR
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