PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Letters From The Troops

[Mission Information For North Texas PGR]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

What follows is a message that I picked up from the East Texas PGR.  Not too
long ago a group of PGR riders escorted troops from Arkansas to Fort Hood
for deployment.  It was a long ride.  Along the way they ran into, and
through, some pretty serious rain.  There are three messages addressed to
those riders below from three of those deployed troops.  I think you may
find the first particularly moving.the one from SPC "Ryan".  We may all know
what the riders were thinking on that long ride, and especially when they
were riding in the heavy rain.  We've all thought the same things.  SPC
"Ryan", however, was seeing things from a different perspective.  SPC "Ryan"
was seeing things from where he/she was in his/her own life and what was
going on at that particular moment in that world.  A world we can't possibly
see into or know about.  SPC "Ryan" chooses to share a little of that world
with us in the letter you are about to read.

 

You have heard many times from the Ride Captains in North Texas that it is
the riders who make up the PGR and that without the riders, the PGR would
cease to exist.  That is very, very true.  And without the Ride Captains,
may I say, we'd all just be standing around in a parking lot somewhere
looking for a place to go and not knowing what to do when we got there.  If
you don't think you're important, that maybe it's not worth it when you're
melting into the pavement, shivering in the cold, dodging the driver who
insists on driving through the middle of the procession or wondering if the
family even knows that we're there, stop and think a minute about SPC
"Ryan".a real, live person that you're about to meet.  SPC "Ryan" is out
there deployed somewhere right now.

 

Dear Patriot Guard Riders,
 
I cannot express how deeply moved I was to see such patriotism in an
individual as all of you so proudly did. I am 22, I'm from Gulfport,
Mississippi and I volunteered for this deployment because of a lack of
options in my life. 



I messed up in college, I was fired from my job, and my family was on the
verge of complete utter dbut isappointment - which I cannot allow. They did
not want me to deploy but in my stubburness, here I am. This is not an
e-mail for you to feel sorry for me. On the contrary, all of you have
instilled within me a purpose and mindset that I need to do my job make it
back in one piece to my family and this great country full of people like
yourselves; a pride in myself and brothers in arms that is unwaivering and
has prepared me for my trials ahead; a humility 
that has taken my frame of mind outside myself and my own problems and needs
up to a level of awareness that exceeds my selfishness for the benefits of
this deployment to a much greater cause: getting our troops and loved ones
back home and protect the freedoms of Americans. 

Reading the letter from CPT Wilkerson and the ever supportive and uplifting
responses you all sent back made my eyes water endlessly. Even now as I type
this I can barely see the screen. I feel as though I am utterly undeserving
to be escorted by such fine examples of American Patriots, and have marked
for myself examples of true heroes. In my life, I've never felt more humbled
than to be in the presence of such an action as simple as riding along side
us, or in front. Even still the hardship and danger of riding in the rain as
yall did, I feel undeserving. I hope to return home worthy of supporters
such as yourselves.

 
I am truly honored to have met the few of you I did. You have inadvertantly
influenced me to become a better soldier, leader, and, more importantly,
American. 

By your example, inspiration, and impact made to my heart and soul, I feel
as though a simple "Thank you" is not enough. I hereby promise you that I
will meet the expectations that you hold for an American Soldier, I will
perform in my actions the selfless service very simliar to the example I
bore witness of you extraordinary people, I will ensure with my life that
the freedoms you hold dear will be protected above my abilities, I will do
all that is necessary to protect the man or woman next to me so that they
will make it home to their loved ones, and that I will not fail the
expectations the American people have for me, I will not fail my leaders,
and I will not fail myself. 

Even though I don't know you, from the bottom of my heart, my appreciation,
respect, and love for each one of you cannot be expressed. Your actions,
however small to you, were so much greater for me. I hate sounding so
repetative, I'm trying to stay as formal as possible, but reflecting on that
day, seeing people take the time to put a banner over an overpass with
people waving, and all of you riding with us, to steal Captain Wilkerson's
words, I've never been more proud of myself. You really put me at peace of
mind. 

 

Well, I don't want to come off too much of a kiss ass so I'll stop here. I
just really wanted you all 
to know that you made an impact in my life and that I don't want to waste
it. 
 
With love,
 
SPC "Ryan"
90th Sustainment Brigade




FROM CPT KRISTEN

On behalf of the Soldiers and Command Group of the 90th Sustainment Brigade,
I want to sincerely thank the Patriot Guard Riders who escorted us from
Little Rock to Ft. Hood, Texas. Their actions truly define the Army value of
selfless service.

Most Soldiers had no idea we were receiving escorts from local law
enforcement, much less the Patriot Guard Riders, so their accompaniment
could only be described by some as `very cool.' I think for the Soldiers and
family members alike, there was an almost indescribable feeling inside of
pride, respect, gratitude, and awe (especially during the rainstorm!)

"This team of volunteers made me proud to be an American, a Soldier, and to
serve on this mission. It's incredible that they paid their respect to
Soldiers they don't even know because they know we're protecting the
freedoms of America." 

 

- Major Brian Burkett, Special Troops Battalion, Battalion Commander




I spoke briefly with Don Nix and his group at our Texarkana lunch break, and
they repeatedly thanked us for our willingness to serve and deploy. For a
Soldier, the words `Thank you for your service' reach the bottom of the
heart, but the Patriot Guard's actions filled our hearts with a feeling of
patriotism unlike any other.

There is an unwavering pride in being an American Soldier, and the Patriot
Guard Riders instilled a greater dedication to serve the American people. We
cannot say `Thank You' enough to the Patriot Guard Riders.

If possible, could you please send the names and addresses of all Patriot
Guard Riders who participated in this escort mission to 

 

 Sincerely,
 
 CPT Kristin Wilkerson
 Public Affairs Officer
 90th Sustainment Brigade

 
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