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Patriot Guard Riders Forum
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RD 
Posts: 176
Cape Girardeau, MO
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| 11 Sep 2006 7:08 AM |
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Thanks everyone. I'm a little tired this morning. I'll let Dave Taylor from Taylor Funeral Services wrap this up for me. (Thanks Monty, Thanks padjr - you know what you did)
First of all....... wow, say it backwards -or- forwards........ same effect.....
This is probably my last "blanket" email going out to everybody who'd been included -or- asked to be included "in the loop" re: SSG Deason's funeral (I can envision faint applause now........)
I've "blocked" release of email addy's to protect privacy, etc....... just to let you know, this email "list" runs the gamut from the "neighbor next door" to a US Senator in Washington, DC, & lotsa good-hearted souls inbetween.
There are few "life-changing events" that etch themselves permanently into your mind like what we've all recently experienced. Even tho' I've been a mortician for 35+ yrs now I'll never look upon a solider's death on TV the same again.
Countless thousands lined the 23.8 mile funeral cortege route....... For that entire route I don't think I was ever not in sight of waving US Flags ! In some places folks were several deep on both sides of the road & in Farmington the center turn lane on Karsch was even packed in places ! Ditto for when we reached the rural areas of our route. If you'd told me this was gonna happen this way I'd never beleived it......
Yesterday was definitely a "Good Karma-On-Steroids" kinda day that I'll never forget.
Real quickly to wind this up:
* Profound thanks to all the media who refused to let SSG Deason's death just "pass by as a day -or- 2 story" over the air or via newsprint. Your presence has afforded countless #'s to embrace Tiffany Deason & her family & show love & support.
* Thank you, Senator Talent & your staff for coming to my rescue when things were starting to look pretty darn bleak. I've told countless that I'm deeply indebted to you & likewise do not feel compelled to go into any specifics other than what we both know about event(s) that happened -or- did not happen last week.
* Thank you, Randy Dunn & the PATRIOT RIDERS ! Your presence was EXACTLY as you said it would be. Your guidance of your group & your group in action was truly a "masterpiece."
* Lastly, THANK YOU, GARY SIMPKO @ www.midwestironhorse.com Whatta fitting & magnificient tribute to SSG Deason ! (Today, 9.11, Gary & his hearse are participating in a memorial parade in Illinois & the hearse that 24 hrs ago carried SSG Deason will be carrying the flag atop the World Trade Center) !
Thanks again to all for your offer(s) of assistance..... it'll never be forgotten. Do NOT let Tiffany Deason & her family escape your prayers as they now have a new way of life to start.
I apologize if I've overlooked anybody....... please feel free to forward this onto any of your associates you think might like to browse this recap.
One last apology....... to the cub scout mother along the funeral processsional route to the cemetery - whoever you are & wherever you are.... I'm sorry I could not tell you the exact moment the funeral cortege would be passing your residence on 8 hway so "Jr." could salute us with his flag ! Asking me to pin that exact time down the day before the funeral was akin to asking how long's a piece of string ! ? ! ;) Seriously, that was one of the best "butt-chewings" I've had in a long time !
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sv4sheri
Posts: 207
Columbia, MO
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| 11 Sep 2006 9:02 AM |
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There are no words to describe this mission. Thanks to all who helped plan this - I'm sure there were many. I was completely overwhelmed at the support from the community - I feel the family will be in good hands in the months to come. I too saw the older gentlemen who was wearing his old uniform and saluting. I'll also always remember a little old lady who looked so small and frail who was standing in her driveway and with all her might holding up her flag with a slight smile of pride on her face. How so many community members joined us in the ride, Two little league teams in their uniforms perhaps just after or during a game, the EMT members standing by their ambulance at full attention and saluting, all the local law enforcement/Emergency Response members, servicemen who stood on both sides of the road making a "tunnel" of sorts saluting, and of course countless citizens with tears in their eyes. I must admit I spent a good amount of time with tears in mine too.
I was also overwhelmed at the graciousness of the family of SSG Deason. They made it a point to say hello and thank you. It is rewarding to know that what you're doing is helping in at least some way. I'd like the family to know that if they need anything in the future to contact us and we will do what we can. We will continue to pray for you. I hope the beautiful little girl with the broken arm will heal sound and fast and grow up to join us on a mission ride one day. I want SSG's brother to know that if he decides to accept deployment to please let us know when and we will be there to give him a loud sendoff!
Paul and I made it home safe a little before midnight wet and exhausted. But it was all worth it. What else can you say? Where else does one see the absolute goodness of humanity exposed so raw for all to see?
-svSheri |
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-sv4sheri
Columbia |
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padjr
Posts: 265
St. Clair, Mo.
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| 11 Sep 2006 10:20 AM |
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I'll also always remember a little old lady who looked so small and frail who was standing in her driveway and with all her might holding up her flag with a slight smile of pride on her face.
Trying to keep eyes ahead, but she had my attention too. She had that flag up so high I thought surely she might tip over.
A big ‘Thumbs UP’ to all the First Responders who helped with traffic, “WELL DONE”. ALL the communities along the way really did go above and beyond. As we were leaving I spoke with one of the men who served with Michael, as we shook hands I told him “90% of the people we have seen today never knew Mike but we are all just so grateful for what you guys do”. It was the grip of a handshake that makes you proud to be an American.
Tiffany: You really do have 50,000 new friends just a click away. We have connections with ALL kinds of organizations and Gold Star groups who are experienced and can move mountains for real. This thread does not go away, many if not most of us leave it turned on, and months from now a post to it will still pop-up in our mail box.
Sheri: Glad you and Paul made it home safe. Until the next Mission…
Ride Smart Jim Padgett |
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Jim Padgett
Winners WIN.
Losers negotiate.
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crazy
Posts: 25
Arnold/Fenton, MO area
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| 11 Sep 2006 10:42 AM |
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| May you RIP, SSG Deason. It was an honor to be there for Part of the ceremonies. I was called away to an emergency in Illinois and could not finish the Final Ride. |
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Peace Out,
Crazy |
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brandonjones1983
Posts: 270
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| 11 Sep 2006 12:05 PM |
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It was a truely Aw inspiring mission. I was honored to be a part of it. Here is the link to the story in Daily Journal
http://www.mydjconnection.com/articles/2006/09/11/community/news1.txt |
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brandonjones1983
Posts: 270
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| 11 Sep 2006 12:06 PM |
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| Ok so it's not a link, copy and paste it if you want to read it. |
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padjr
Posts: 265
St. Clair, Mo.
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RD
Posts: 176
Cape Girardeau, MO
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| 11 Sep 2006 1:39 PM |
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Here's an email the Taylor family recieved:
Mr. and Mrs. Taylor,
I received a copy of your email that was sent out concerning SSG Deason's tribute yesterday and all I can say is...you are right...WOW!!!
My two young children ( 5 and 9 years old) and I were honored to be in the turn lanes of Karsch waving our small American flags watching the procession go by. I was amazed at the number of motorcyclist and processionists (is that a word) that softly mouthed "thank you" to all the flag wavers, as they drove past us.
It was indeed an honor for my family to be able to be a part of the ceremony for this hero. Having been Tiffany's 7th grade science teacher, I felt it my duty to show her OUR family's respect for her family at this sorrowful time. (I just wish that my husband had not been working.)
I, also, would like to thank all the honor riders for doing such a great job with their part in the ceremony! What a GREAT tribute to this fallen HERO!
Thanks to you and your staff for all you did with the services, preparation, and comforting of the family. What a difficult thing to do and at such an ironic time...with the day before 9.11 and all. Your family business shone as always.
BRAVO Mineral Area!! God Bless You all!! |
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MKM
Posts: 12
Henley,Mo.
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| 11 Sep 2006 4:49 PM |
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Thank you PGR. With a personal connection to the Deason family,and as a PGR member,I was very honored to be able to put my BIG FLAG bike right behind the hearse and cover Michael's "6" to the cemetary. I returned to the church after leaving the cemetary, and everyone I spoke with,including family,friends,and military were all very grateful to have the PGR attend and were very impressed by the dignified manor you all displayed. They also commented on how friendly all those bikers are!(I know I meet friendly new faces on every mission). When I joined PGR I never thought I'd be riding in a funeral of someone I knew,and this was a real busy weekend for the PGR,so thank all of you for being there,and thanks to the Captains for making this mission come together on short notice.Most of all thanks to S/Sgt.Michael Deason and all of our soldiers for their service,and God bless the Deason family.
Ride safe.
Mike Montgomery (MKM)
Henley,Mo.
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DrWho
Posts: 0
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| 12 Sep 2006 9:36 AM |
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My condolences to the Deason family.
This hero will not be forgotten.
Please forward my condolences to the family, and if they have any photos and
info on our hero that I can ad to his tribute page to please send them to
me.. It is my mission to help people remember who this hero is.
You're also welcome to email me some of the PGR Mission photos to ad. q@IraqWarHeroes.com
I wish all the riders a safe ride and a good mission.
I thank you all for supporting our fallen heroes and their families.
Q
www.IraqWarHeroes.org
& www.AfghanistanWarHeroes.org
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RD
Posts: 176
Cape Girardeau, MO
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| 12 Sep 2006 11:36 AM |
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Here is a note I just received from Brian Abbott, SSGT Deason's BIL who was an immense help to me getting organized.
To Randy and all PGR members,
It is Tuesday morning, I am still recovering from the events of Sunday.
SSG Michael Deason was my brother-in-law. He was a kind, decent, and gentle man who loved his family with every ounce of his being. He, however, was also a soldier. A man who knew his duty, and courageously accepted what that duty might bring. A soldier, who in the end, gave his life for us all.
I want all of you to know just how valuable your attendance this weekend was. We knew that your presence would be a great presentation in the procession. We did not expect how much your support would help us through this difficult time. At a time when tears should be the norm, we found ourselves overcome with joy, and pride. Smiles and laughter took over most of the journey. At Michaels urging I am sure. To know that so many of you traveled so far to offer your support to our family truly humbled us. Your kindness has touched our hearts.
It was a pleasure for me to be able to introduce myself and speak with many of you during your time with us. Thank you for letting Michael’s son Jayden, sit on your bike. He tells mommy about it daily. Sheri, who mentions the “beautiful little girl with the broken arm”, my daughter has a new, lime green cast that she wishes she had a day earlier so you could sign it. She is strong and talks of you often, especially after seeing herself on the news trying on your helmet. Family friend and PGR member Mike Montgomery, it was an honor for us to have you there, and your son as well, who participated in the presentation of the flags during the grave side service. And of course Randy Dunn who has been in contact with me from just days after we found out we had lost Michael. Randy, your dedication to these missions does not go unnoticed or unappreciated.
I wanted to write to all of you sooner, however, each time I sat down to type, my emotions overwhelmed me. With each kind and heartfelt word written and spoken I realized that what we shared will be with us for a lifetime. The elderly gentleman in his uniform saluting, and the little lady with the big flag were vivid in my mind as well. Not to mention the countless people crying and cheering and waving. My children, SSG Deason’s nieces, and nephew had many friends along the route. You may have noticed a group dressed in orange camo with signs and painted shirts. It was a weekend filled with emotion, generosity, patriotism, self-sacrifice and tremendous pride.
In allowing us to share our loss with you, you have given us strength to carry on, and hope that the future of this country will be as strong, proud and free as it’s past.
For your efforts of this weekend, I would like to extend to you my support. If there is anything I can help you with in the future, please do not hesitate to ask.
Thank You, and God Bless,
Brian J. Abbott
brianabb@mac.com
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Toby
Posts: 101
Lincoln, Nebraska/hometown is Cape Girardeau,MO
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| 12 Sep 2006 6:49 PM |
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To My Brothers and Sisters in SE Mo. Thank You! From all that I have read Ya'll provided our Hero with great Respect and Honor. I wished I could have been there with you. May God Bless each and Every One of You!! And May God Comfort Michaels family in their time of need.
I am Proud and Honored to be in the PGR!
toby |
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Toby Long
PGR Ride Captain (Asst)
Bikers of Baghdad MC Member#71 |
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RD
Posts: 176
Cape Girardeau, MO
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| 13 Sep 2006 10:05 AM |
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Just recieved word that Cpl. Jeremy Shank will be transported 'for sure' tomorrow - they just don't know when or to where (Cape or STL). I think I'll hold off posting a final itinerary until we are notified of the specific flight arrangements. The Saturday viewing/Sunday funeral will most certainly happen as we've posted at the beginning of this string. Begin your planning.
For those interest in escort Cpl. Shank home tomorrow, all I can say is to stand by. I will update the moment I hear. |
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padjr
Posts: 265
St. Clair, Mo.
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| 13 Sep 2006 10:13 AM |
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Standing by in St. Clair, Mo
Jim Padgett |
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Jim Padgett
Winners WIN.
Losers negotiate.
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BailBondChick
Posts: 49
Park Hills, MO (South of St. Louis)
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| 19 Sep 2006 9:19 AM |
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Thanks to various friends and our local newspaper articles, I have put together a PhotoBucket of photos regarding SSG Deason. There are some great PGR shots. Here's the link:
http://s87.photobucket.com/albums/k146/bailbondchick/Patriot%20Guard/ |
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Rhonda L. Barnett
Park Hills, Missouri
Phone: 573-631-9086
FAX: 573-431-3997
Member, CMA - Parkland Cycle Servants
PGR, HOG
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