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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<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>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>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.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Dear Patriot Guard Riders,<br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>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 <br>
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. <br>
<br>
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.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> <br>
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. <br>
<br>
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. <br>
<br>
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. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>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 <br>
to know that you made an impact in my life and that I don't want to waste it. <br>
<br>
With love,<br>
<br>
SPC "Ryan"<br>
90th Sustainment Brigade<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><br>
<b><u>FROM CPT KRISTEN</u></b><br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
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!)<br>
<br>
"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." <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>- Major Brian Burkett, Special Troops Battalion, Battalion
Commander<br>
<br>
<br>
<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>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.<br>
<br>
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.<br>
<br>
If possible, could you please send the names and addresses of all Patriot Guard
Riders who participated in this escort mission to <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal> Sincerely,<br>
<br>
CPT Kristin Wilkerson<br>
Public Affairs Officer<br>
90th Sustainment Brigade<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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