Over the past week I've done a lot of thinking about PGR.  It's been quite a ride!! More tears and joy than I could have imagined.  I'd like to share some of those thoughts and memories with you.

First, thank you for the honor of being your National Director. I cannot think of anything in my life, including my service in Vietnam that has meant more to me. We, as a group have made a real difference in the world. My wife commented the other day that we would be a footnote in history; a group that formed out of respect and service to our troops. To lead this group has been the greatest honor of my life; it’s a memory that I will hold close to my heart as long as I live.

Together, we have done some amazing things. I look back at these and I'm still amazed that we managed it. Let's look back together.

The deMoors mission comes to mind. I had heard that this wonderful lady had lost a child to SIDS 10 years before and that her husband, David deMoors wanted to be buried with his son. Without out a thought I said "We can do that". With 5000 members at the time, I thought we could do it. Well, WE did it! We brought his family from Canada to Alabama for the service and buried Gabrielle with his dad. Who would have believed it? The baby was in Salt Lake City, Utah and the escorts and arrangements took several hundred people. But we got it done. A lot of you remember that mission. Many of you contributed the money and effort it took to get it done.

It was typical of what I have seen you do. Like a family of brothers and sisters, we work together for a common good. We may fight and disagree on occasion but we make the missions. We stand together in the flag line as a team to support the troops and their families. We are there for them, and for each other.

As we have felt the strain and emotions of the missions, we have held each other up. We have given the folks of my generation, the Vietnam generation, our pride back. We have said “not on my watch". Working with the PGR has done more for my PTSD than all the therapy the VA has to offer. My little brother died in Vietnam and his funeral procession was disrespected. Today people stand by their cars in honor and respect. We arrived home to protestors at the airport. Our troops today arrive to a line of flags and a sincere "thanks for your service"! You should all be proud.

Now this Thanksgiving the PGR in Florida will present a young wounded warrior and his family the key to a new house. That's right, a house. It was built with money raised by Soldier's Angels and the PGR. No small feat but done anyway.

But there are hundreds of stories like this, all over the country. They come from the hearts of our members. The desire to serve is strong in all of us; as it should be.

So as I step down; I would say to all of you, thank you for the honor and privilege of being part of this. I will continue to ride and stand the flag line for our heroes as I have done since we began. I will stand beside you, my brothers and sisters. I will always help in any way I can. I'll be here for each of you.

Your brother,