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<p class=MsoNormalCxSpFirst><o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle>(OK – It’s not a mission related
posting. I know the password so I get to post.)<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><span style='color:windowtext'>Fellow Riders,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><span style='color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><span style='color:windowtext'>The holidays are in
full swing, families are repositioning themselves all over the country and the
world to enjoy time together, shoppers are panicking (me included) and children
everywhere are entering various states of frenzy.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><span style='color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><span style='color:windowtext'>In North Texas,
anyone who rides a motorcycle has every piece of riding gear they own laid out
on the floor, a spare bed, somewhere in the garage, or slung over bushes in the
back yard because one day it’s 82 degrees and sunny and the next day
it’s 18 degrees and the weather is calling for more freezing fog.
What in the world is freezing fog, anyway? Does it hurt when you run into
it? And while I’m at it, has anybody ever met Christmas Carol?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><span style='color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><span style='color:windowtext'>Toys are wrapped up
under trees or are being packed in Santa’s sleigh, or are in the saddle
bags of you and 80,000 of your closest friends as you chase Santa to Arlington
in the Big Texas Toy Run. Also known as “Shivering can be fun.”<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><span style='color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><span style='color:windowtext'>Please let me take
this opportunity to thank all of you for what you do every day of the
year. Whether you are on a mission that day or not, you are a Patriot
Guard Rider. There is no group in the country that does the same job the
Patriot Guard Riders do. Nobody. We are unique. Just by being
a Patriot Guard Rider you are offering your hand, your heart and your soul to
support family members of a deceased service member, veteran, police officer,
firefighter or emergency medical first responder on the worst day of their
lives. You do this as you honor their loved one. If you are present
at a particular mission, you are able to do that in person. And you do it
over, and over and over again. Nothing stops you. I have seen you
in freezing cold with sleet and snow coming down on you. I have seen you
in blistering heat. Rain or shine you are there. I have seen you in
wind so strong that it was almost impossible to hold flags. I have seen
you stand tall at ceremonies that seemed to last forever. I have seen you
not only help your fellow rider when overwhelmed by the elements but I have
seen you rush to the aid of a family member or guest and share with them your
water and help them get aid and relief. I have seen this and much
more. I have seen you limp, walk with a cane, a walker, in a wheelchair,
and I have even seen you fall to the ground. And I have heard many of you
speak a universal sentiment, that no matter how bad a day you might be having,
the family you are there to serve and honor is having a worse one…and
they’re here aren’t they?<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><span style='color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><span style='color:windowtext'>Wow!<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><span style='color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><span style='color:windowtext'>Thank you all for
allowing me privilege of serving alongside you.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><span style='color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><span style='color:windowtext'>So keep plenty of
egg nog and cider handy, one hand on the air conditioner and the other on the
firewood, put snow tires on the scooter, lots of sunscreen and hand warmers in
the saddlebags and hope for the best.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><span style='color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><span style='color:windowtext'>From Jo
(that’s my wife!) and I please accept our most sincere wishes for a
joyous, safe and happy Christmas and holiday season.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><span style='color:windowtext'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpMiddle><span style='font-size:24.0pt;font-family:"Brush Script MT";
color:#0000FD'>Steve Lucas<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormalCxSpLast><o:p> </o:p></p>
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