When I was asked to make a parting statement to the membership upon my exit from the Board of Directors, I was reluctant to do so.  I have never felt like the PGR is anything to do with who I am or what I do, and none of the positions that I have held are as important to me as those we come to honor.  Therefore, I felt no parting words were necessary.  However, upon reflection, I thought that maybe there were a few things I would like to say. 

First, I would like to say “thank you” to each and every one of you for what you do for our Heroes and their families.  Even if you have never had the opportunity to attend a mission, thank you anyway for those very important thoughts and prayers and positive posts. 

I would like to say “thank you” to all of you who have stepped up and asked “what more can I do?”  Those who are behind the scenes working diligently to help the rest of us carry out the mission of the PGR are rarely known by face or name.  One such person who has worked very closely with me is Kerri Bassett (“the plaque lady”).  Kerri coordinates the ordering and delivery of our honor plaques for presentation to the families of our heroes.  I am truly thankful for all of her efforts in that regard - she has done, and will continue to do, an outstanding job.  Without you all, the PGR would not have gotten where we are today. 

I would like to say “thank you” to all of you who wish you had more time to do more, who wish you could get off work to attend more missions, or who wish all of our Heroes over seas would come home soon, safe and sound, because even if those are wishes that you cannot fulfill at this time, they are very important to the morale that helps our Heroes make it through the toughest times. 

I would like to say thank you to all of you who have challenged me as I served you (you know who you are - Monica, Steam, Louann, Woody, Tony, to name a few).  Thanks to each of you, because although I did not always agree with your views on things, you made sure that I considered many different angles and opinions, and without that, I could not have taken somewhat informed stances on the various issues I was required to consider. 

I would like to say “thank you” to all of you who has ever had an idea about how to continue honoring our Heroes.  Not one of us has done it alone; not one of us has had a totally original thought on how to let our Heroes and their families know we care, but together we have created the PGR, and together we will continue to honor those for which it was created.  Thank you ALL for showing our Heroes that America cares. 

And most important – to our Heroes, I “thank you” for your bravery, your unselfish choice to serve our country, and for the many sacrifices you make every day for the Freedom and Care of others and your love of Country.  Your service has not, and will not, go unnoticed.

Finally, please continue to support the Board of Directors.  They (past and present Board) are nothing special, they are not super “powers that be,” they do not have skins so thick that nothing you say can penetrate.  They are simply volunteers who each has been asked to volunteer to serve you, as a Board, and each, even knowing how stressful it can be, has accepted the task.  Not one person on the past Board, or the incoming Board, asked to be there.  Not one of them actively sought out the position.  They are human, they will make mistakes, but from experience, I know that they will also spend countless, sleepless, nights trying to right any wrongs that they (or you) perceive.  Please give them the support they need to continue serving the PGR “above reproach.” 

To the best group of people I have ever known, all I can say is God bless you all for what you do so selflessly for our Heroes.  Do not ever stop – they need you; they need all of us.  It has been my honor to have this opportunity to serve you and our Heroes.

Bonnie