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Patriot Guard Riders Forum
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cdeco 
Posts: 147
Windham, ME
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| 04 Apr 2007 5:15 PM |
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It was an honor to be allowed to show our gratitude and respect for Sgt Swiger and his family. Speaking with friends and family last night and watching them at the church today shed light on what an amazing man he was. May your memories bring you solace and time bring you peace.
With regards,
Cindy
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A man's country is not a certain area of land, of mountains, rivers, and woods, but it is a principle; and patriotism is loyalty to that principle.
George William Curtis |
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Blackpony
Posts: 362
Friendship,Maine
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| 05 Apr 2007 9:34 AM |
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The Honor Mission for Sgt. Jason W. Swiger may be complete but the images and the emotions of today will stay with me for as long as I breath. I know, nor do I expect, these missions to be easy but this one was seems to have affected me more than those in the past.Perhaps because as Ride Captain you got to meet, talk,and get to know the family during a very emotional time ,and perhaps because this was the first one I’ve done since my own ordeal, I could relate on a more personnel level.
We staged at 0830 as planned and after passing out the yellow ribbons that Lisa and Sheila had made(great job) we proceeded to go to the cathedral and were on post by 0900.
I was very pleased to see that despite the weather we had a very good turnout with 25 members present, including one of our newest, Ken White(Welcome Aboard) and John Woherly(hope the spelling is correct) one of our PGR brothers from Conn.Thanks to you both, and everyone for your willingness to serve and your dedication to our military personnel ,their families and all our nations veterans.I know from talking to several members of the Swiger family,including Valorie and Alanna,how comforting and at ease they felt by our show of support for them at this difficult time.
The service was one of the nicest ones I’ve had the privilege to attend and witness with an attendance numbering in the hundreds.I’m not sure of the exact number but they included Senator Susan Collins,Representive Michael Michaud,Governor Baldacci and Major General Libby,amoung other dignitaries
The procession again numbering in the hundreds got underway to the Brooklawn Memroial Park at approximately 1130 hours. One of those images I mentioned earlier that will stay with me forever is of the one lone gentleman standing at attention,hat over his heart as the procession went by winding it’s was along Congress Ave,.Whoever you are sir,Thank You for taking the time to honor one of our nations heroes and his family on this his final journey upon this earth.
The graveside service was as beautiful and yet sad as always. Standing there,watching the military in their spit and polished full dress with the snow gently falling made it seem very surreal.This part of these missions is usually the most moving for me as it is I’m sure it is for most of us.However on this one is was surpassed only by the duty assigned to me as RC to present the PGR plaque to Alanna Swiger,Jasons widow, at the reception afterward.I have only had the occasion to do this twice and as honored and proud as I am to be representing the PGR in that moment, this was the most difficult thing I had to do this day.
It was a beautiful reception,and by the time the slide presentation of Jasons life was over even though I had never met Jason or his family I felt as though I had.
I at this point want to sincerely thank Valorie,Alanna and all the Swiger family for allowing all of us to be a part of this very difficult and private time in their lives. They made us all feel as though we were a part of their family and I feel very honored to be allowed to do so.
In closing I want to say that in all kinds of weather through a wide range of emotions we stand together to pay tribute and honor to some of the greatest Americans this great country has to offer. I am very proud of what we do and to be able to say to anyone that we are brothers and sisters in a great and noble cause and let no person or group of people stand between us and those that we pay honor to.
Thank you all and WELL DONE!
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Ken Barrett
U.S.N.69/72
Maine Ride Captain
Maine HOTH Coordinator
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CavScoutMom
Posts: 486
Louisville, KY
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| 06 Apr 2007 9:08 PM |
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Ken, you have such a way with words. I remember that lone man standing along side the road rendering his own honors amidst the commotion of city traffic. A picture would say a thousand words. The graveside service gets me everytime when I see the flag meticulously folded and handed to the widow. No matter how prepared we are and alerted, the gun salute always makes our hearts skip a beat. While watching the slide show video, I couldn't help but cry my own tears. My God, they are so so young. 
You did a great job putting this mission together. Thank you, Brother! Thank you also to my fellow PGR's in attendance, 'Standing for Jason, because he stood for US'. |
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Coast Guard Veteran ('81-90) Operation Urgent Fury - Grenada 1983
Coast Guard Spouse ('83-present)
Army Mom to SPC Dana of the 1/14 Cavalry Regiment, 3rd BCT, 2nd ID
"There is a sacredness in tears. They are not the mark of weakness but of power. They speak more eloquently than ten thousand tongues. They are messengers of overwhelming grief...and unspeakable love." --- Washington Irving
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