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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>Ladies and Gentlemen,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>I thought everyone might like to see this message from Ride Captain
Ted Beauchamp and a letter he came across.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
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color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>Steve Lucas<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>Deputy State Captain<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>North Texas PGR<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:red'>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.</span><o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='font-size:13.5pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";color:red'>Ted B.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><br>
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". <o:p></o:p></p>
<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>05/27/09<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p><span style='font-size:10.0pt;font-family:"Arial","sans-serif"'>Good
afternoon,<br>
<br>
I do not know if I am sending this to the correct place, but I wanted to share
a story that touched me.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
Have a good day, and God bless!<br>
MaryAnn Anderson<br>
Huntsville, AL</span><o:p></o:p></p>
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