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Patriot Guard Riders Forum
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busch2fan 
Posts: 337
Wauconda, IL
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| 17 Apr 2007 9:49 PM |
 Alert
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First and foremost, on behalf of the Patriot Guard Riders and its membership of over 88,000 nationwide, I want to extend our deepest sympathies to all the families that have been impacted by the tragedy at Virginia Tech. There are no words to convey our hurt - nor our condolences - to a proper level. Suffice to say, you are not alone in mourning the loss of a family member, or a friend. The Patriot Guard Riders – and this nation – share in your loss.
There are times when a nation sits in pure shock at the news of a tragedy… 16 APR 07 was such a day.
As members of the Patriot Guard Riders, we are all too familiar with the loss of great people. We are all too familiar with young lives – full of promise and hope – ending far too soon. Perhaps nothing is more tragic. This organization was founded with the purpose of honoring those that have given of themselves to serve a cause higher than their own… that of their country. For this, they earned our respect, our admiration, and our unwavering gratitude. However, as we all would agree, great people occupy all walks of life – and impact us everyday. There is a quote from a movie that I am reminded of... “You don’t have to wear a stripe on your arm to have honor”. At times such as this… we realize how true this is.
This nation lost 32 innocent lives – some of them young adults just starting to see their lives take shape – still preparing to make their mark in this world. We lost teachers whose charge was to shape and develop the minds of the future. We lost students who had eyes full of hope, promise, and dreams – all left unrealized, and unfulfilled. We all lost something yesterday... even if it was a simple notion of a peaceful serene existence at such an age in life.
The question has already arisen, “Will the Patriot Guard Riders attend services if invited?”
Some of the victims in this tragedy were members of the Virginia Tech ROTC program. If we are invited by their families, as an organization we will accept these missions and do whatever we can. However, some of the victims were not involved in the military. For those, the Patriot Guard Riders – as an organization – will not be involved. That being said, let me continue...
The strength of the Patriot Guard Riders is not in the organization – but in the membership. Look at the matter in this light; the Patriot Guard Riders is one organization. One organization made up of over 88,000 members - 88,000 members focused on doing what is right to preserve honor, reverence, and respect. As an organization, the PGR must adhere to its mission statement. However, as a person who has vowed to uphold statements like “Never again” and “Because it’s the right thing to do”... I have a choice to take action where action is needed – and support is requested. If you have the opportunity to assist a family in need... whether it be under the name of the PGR or not – do it. Do it, and let others know, for as I said, the strength is not in the organization –but in the people.
Good organizations don’t make good people. Good people make good organizations. And good people do what is right... and take care of our families.
Our families lost some of their own… let’s do our best – on an organizational level – and on a personal level – to take care of them as we would in any other instance.
In memory of those lost on 16 APR 07...
Respectfully,
Jeff Lockhart
National Communications Officer
Patriot Guard Riders
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"Life... Liberty... and the pursuit of all who threaten it."
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