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Patriot Guard Riders Forum
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vroc4507 
Posts: 12
Hartley, Iowa USA
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| 23 May 2006 4:42 PM |
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Russ.........................I've had a number of people ask me why I would give up a day of vacation, why on earth would I get out of bed at 3:30 a.m., why would I want to ride 170 miles to attend the funeral of someone that I've never met. Your letter along with all the hand shakes and thank yous from family, friends, and members of the community is the only reason that I need. That reward alone is far more than I imagined or bargained for when I joined this group. I should be the one thanking the family, friends and community, as well as the other PGR members for allowing me to join them to help honor this fallen hero that gave his life to keep our great nation free!!
Thank you, my friend!
Bartman |
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Brett Koontz
"Bartman"
~V~ 4507
Okoboji VROC
Patriot Guard Rider
Hartley, Iowa USA
http://autos.groups.yahoo.com/group/okobojivroc/?yguid=190734085
'00 Blue on Black Nomad
the "NoGlide" |
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Stormin
Posts: 100
Central nebraska
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| 23 May 2006 7:58 PM |
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| As vroc just said... wanted to add.. i got big time wind burned on the way home yesterday.. some of it sun burn but mainly wind... Nose looks like rudolph... lol... Got a big time case of coon eyes going on already......... some people i talked to today at some of the bike shops around here made a comment about looks like i had been covering some miles. When i explained That i had left here sunday night after work at 8 pm.. rode 150 miles.. and then got up at 5:30 monday morning and pulled out of the hotel at a little after 6 and rode another 100 miles or so up to mitchell then back to the funeral and then home. Total of about 350 miles monday and attended a funeral in the middle of all of it... Get this oh sorry to hear about the funeral Then i explain I am a member of that PGR... and it was a a funeral for a fallen hero that lost his life fighting over seas.... They look at you and say so you didnt know this person........ Nope i didnt..... Then of course there next comment is why would you go thru what you did and spend the time and money to do it............................ Best answer i could come up with and still think it is the best answer there is............ The answer is... BECAUSE IT IS THE RIGHT THING TO DO...... People just dont understand and never will understand the feeling i had when riding home and the thoughts of the family thanking us for being there................ A feeling that is just unreal. I am standing by to do more rides why??? Because it is the right thing to do.... |
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Because it is the right thing to do.. |
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tadct
Posts: 46
Chamberlain, SD
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| 23 May 2006 8:24 PM |
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I too what to say what an awesome experience this past weekend was. From an outstanding mission, to riding with an awesome group, to playing a small role in honoring a fallen brother!
Not much more can be said then what has already been said in this forum. It was VERY obvious that Staff Sgt Wagner had an incredible family and lived in a truly wonderful community! we were blessed to have had the priviledge to be a part of this hero's farewell!
My prayers will be with his family and friends as God begins the healing process, may this man's memory forever live among the blessed! |
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Tom "radman" Davis
South Dakota Ride Captain
"Honor to those that have fallen to keep us free" |
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tadct
Posts: 46
Chamberlain, SD
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| 23 May 2006 8:44 PM |
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I to want to say job well done Jeff!
also I want to give a heads up on another possible mission in Sept. Given the green light by Durty Bird, i am in the process of trying to get the Patriot Guard Riders involved in the SD Vietnam War Memorial ceremony in Pierre, SD Sept 15-17th. it will be a huge event honoring our vietnam veterans (which i believe is way over due!), and they are expecting thousands to show up from all over.
I think this would be an incredible opportunity for us to ride and show our respect and honor to these brave soldiers, and it would give us yet another avenue of exposure for the Patriot Guard Riders in our region!
Also this would give us the opportunity to show that the PGR "Rides with respect" for any soldier regardless of what war, what branch of the military, or what time he served his country!
if this is something you might be interested in attending let me know. i will find out from Jeff how we can start another forum just for this (i don't want to disrespect SSGT Wagner's forum with this event!)
so keep an eye on the website for this and pass the word around!!
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Tom "radman" Davis
South Dakota Ride Captain
"Honor to those that have fallen to keep us free" |
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1996_retired_E7
Posts: 773
Colorado Springs, CO
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| 23 May 2006 9:06 PM |
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Stormin & vroc, your words are right on. The feeling one gets hearing the thanks of the family & friends after a mission is what makes what we do priceless.
For the family, the knowledge that total strangers have gathered to honor the sacrifice of their son or daughter means that there are people in this country who care. That there are people in this country to whom their son or daughter was not a nameless casualty to hear about on the evening news, but a brave Soldier, Sailor, Airman or Marine who answered the call to duty, and paid the ultimate price to protect our freedom, and bring freedom to others who have never known it.
Our sacrifice of time off from work and the money we may spend getting to and from a mission location is nothing compared to the sacrifice of the person we gather to honor. By being there and showing the family that others recognize their sacrifice, we show them that their loved one, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, “Shall not have died in vain”.
You guys are right when you say that it’s hard to get people to understand why we do what we do. For me, it’s been hard to do because it’s been hard to describe the feeling I get to my family and others after a mission is over. At least it was until this past Sunday night.
My wife and I were watching “Extreme Home Makeover”, the show where they go out and build a new home for a family in one week. On this episode, the family wrote thank-you letters to all of the contractors working on the house.
Some of the contractors read their letters on the show, and most of them got really choked up doing so. To see the impact they had on that family, and to see how much their “just doing a job” meant to that family really got to them.
I turned to my wife and said “That’s how I feel when a family member comes up to me and thanks me after a mission.”
That’s why we do what we do for total strangers. And that’s why I’m so proud to be a Patriot Guard Rider.
Robin Thurston
MSgt USAF (retired)
“War is an ugly thing but not the ugliest of things; the decayed and degraded state of moral and patriotic feelings which thinks that nothing is worth war is much worse. A man who has nothing for which he is willing to fight, nothing which is more important than his own personal safety, is a miserable creature and has no chance of being free unless made and kept so by the exertions of better men than himself.” – John Stuart Mill
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Robin "Flash" Thurston
MSgt, USAF (1975-1996)
Air Force Association Life Member
Patriot Guard Riders #12345 - (03/03/2006)
Ride Captain/Colorado Springs
Proud PGR cager (Red 1997 Jeep Wrangler with the BIG American flag on the back!!!)
Honoring the fallen, those who have served, and the memory of four American Heroes:
My Father, Robert G. Thurston - WWII (European Theater)
My Father-In-Law, Albert A. Mestan - WWII (Pacific Theater) & Korean War
Lt John P. Napolitano - FDNY Rescue 2 (North Tower, World Trade Center)
CMSgt Robert A. Brown - Bataan Death March Survivor
"It is rather for us to be here dedicated to the great task remaining before us — that from these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they gave the last full measure of devotion — that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain" - Abraham Lincoln |
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Durty Bird
Posts: 19
SD Ride Captain
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| 23 May 2006 10:07 PM |
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To everyone who rode with us on Monday I just want to say thank you. An individual can accomplish great things. A great group of great individuals can alter history. I truly feel that is what you people are doing by rightfully honoring the sacrifice of our fallen. On Monday at the funeral SSG Greg Wagner's brother walked across the street and thanked us for coming. I let him know that it was an honor and that his brother was a hero and that we were there to help make sure everybody knows it. The work that you do as a Patriot Guard Rider not only honors the memory of those great men like SSG Wagner who have made the ultimate sacrifice for their country. The combat veterans of this conflict are getting the message that they are truly loved and respected by a grateful nation. Your display of honor and respect is a very visible symbol of that. I hope you have taken a few moments to feel good about what you've done.
May God Bless and keep SSG Greg Wagner and his family and loved ones. |
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Jeff "Durty Bird" Anderson
Ride Captain Patriot Guard Riders (SD)
www.patriotguard.org
Combat Vets Motorcycle Association Member #636
www.combatvet.org
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broseland
Posts: 14
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| 24 May 2006 3:09 AM |
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| Well said... It has been hard for me to explain what the PGR does and why people do it. To some the concept that it is the right thing to do is lost. So I am compiling a scrapbook of sorts, so when someone asks what we do, I can show them. So if anyone has any pictures, knows of any good articles, letters from families, ect. I would appreciate it if you would email them to me at broseland@hotmail.com. |
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Brandy L. Roseland
235th MP Company
Rapid City, SD
Currently in Bagram Afghaninstain |
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vroctheo
Posts: 15
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| 24 May 2006 6:19 AM |
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Durty Bird - Thanks again for all the effort, your leadership made this mission come off in a glorious manner. You are correct, a great group of great individuals CAN change history. I believe this org. has awakend a monster in this country, a monster of respect, honor, and patriotism that has too long been forgotten. The unbelievable growth of the patriot guard is but one testament of this. The thanks of the families and communities are another. The healing provided to those of us old timers who had a very different type of "welcome" home has truly been a blessing for many.
To the family and friends of SSgt Wagner: May God wrap his arms around you and sustain you in this time of great sadness, hold your heads high in the knowledge that Greg's sacrifice has not been in vain. He has had a profound effect on the lives of many who will be forever greatfull. I for one am very proud and greatfull for the opportunity to honor the sacrifice he so willingly made for the likes of me.
vroctheo
Okoboji VROC
Patriot Guard Rider
2002 Vulcan 1500 Classic
Sanborn, IA, AMERICA by GOD |
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mtcat1000
Posts: 102
St Cloud MN 56301
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| 24 May 2006 3:10 PM |
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Gwinslow, thanks for leading us from Luverne to Mitchell!!!! Also thanks to the Davison County SHERIFFS DEPT for a job well done. I have about 28 pictures, if anyone would like to see them I would be more than happy to email them to you, my email is mtcat1000@hotmail.com Let me know if you would like a copy.
Thanks Greg. |
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Greg Studer
St Cloud Mn Sector ARC
St Cloud Mn Sector Hoth Rep
US Army 1974-1977
101st Airborne Division (Air Assault)
“I’ve learned that people will forget what you said, people will forget what you did, but people will never forget how you made them feel.” |
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zrev
Posts: 2
Grand Island, Nebraska
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| 24 May 2006 6:56 PM |
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Thank you SSG Wagner for your selfless sacrifice. It is our hope that this ride in some small way dignified the heroism with which he lived and the value he left behind in the memories of family and friends. Thank You Russ for taking the time to write and share your heart. It was heartwrenching and powerful to read your thoughts. After this first mission, my committment to ride to every possible event has increased many times over.
Thanks to Durty Bird, for your great leadership and all the others riders who shared the awesome moments together in Alexandria. It was an honor to meet and rideyou all. It is our hope to see you all again soon, under different circumstances if at all possible, but soon regardless.
Until then...
Godspeed.
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irish1
Posts: 1
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| 25 May 2006 7:14 AM |
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I am the recruiting and retention NCO for C BTRY 1/147th FA, SSG Wagner's unit. I wanted to pass on the appreciation of our forward deployed Soldiers to the riders who participated in the memorial and funeral services. It gives them a sense of peace knowing that their are many who serve to protect their families from the hate spewing vermin of the WBC. You should also be aware that the stateside Soldiers also appreciated the PGR presence. Though there were no protesters it was nice to have the PGR there just in case. Your presence allows us all to say goodbye to our friend and comrade with the dignity he has earned. Again I thank you for all that you do.
SFC Shane Toupal
"Irish 1"
If you can read this thank a teacher and since it's in English also thank a Soldier. |
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690MedCo
Posts: 4650
Huntington Beach, CA
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| 02 Sep 2007 11:42 AM |
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Thank you for your dedicated service and sacrifice to defend this great country of ours!! Our thoughts and prayers are with you, your family and friends. You will never be forgotten! Rest in peace young soldier.
Glen & Linda |
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Glen Owsley
SP4 U.S. Army 1976-1979
Medical Specialist
690th Medical Co (amb)
34th Medical Btn
Ft Benning, GA
U.S. Army Reserve (IRR)1979-1982
Patriot Guard Rider
Leave No Veteran Behind!
Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God. Matthew 5:9
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Danegeld
Posts: 48
Western South Dakota
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| 08 May 2009 10:02 PM |
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| Team, -- I received this e-mail today from SSgt Wagner's sister my response is below her letter.
Three years ago today, my little brother was killed while serving in Iraq. Three years ago May 22,2006 in Alexandria, SD we were humbled as we walked into the church to attend his funeral and say goodbye for the last time. As we walked from the Community Center to the Church, we looked out at the crowds of people and the flags and motorcycles that lined the street. What an Awesome sight. I just wanted to say that your presence meant so much to all of my family, not just that day, but 3 years later I still think back and have a great appreciation of what you gave us that day, Comfort, Respect, and a row of flags that remind us exactly what my brother did for me and this great place we call HOME. The power of your presence seemed to somehow comfort us in our grief and time of sorrow.
I happened to log into your website that you posted emails on the day of the funeral - I didn't see a lot of email addresses but if you know of anyone that happened to be at the funeral that day, please pass onto them. Perhaps you could forward on to Vroctheo, Durty Bird, Tom "Random" Davis, and the many many more that headed your mission for our brother's farwell. I would like to extend our appreciation on behalf of all my family to you. You will be paid back in the end for the favors you did for me and the rest of our family. You are constantly in our thoughts and prayers for safe travels on all of your journeys.
in debt always,
Carol (Wagner) Campbell
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Mrs Wagner-Campbell,
Hello, your e-mail was touching, much appreciated, and forwarded to our leadership -- not because of what we did as a group, but because of the Ultimate Sacrifice your little brother Gregory made for his country and it's interests. This along with what Greg stood for and the friends he made/had help form the metal of a man -- He was "One Hell Of An American" I can safely say...
It was my first Patriot Guard Mission and was one of the most memorable moments of my life. "Such a hero he was and such a positive legacy he has left with his friends, family, and people he didn't even know." Twas simply an honor to be standing with others when he couldn't, and while his mortal remains lie in eternal slumber, his spirit and exploits grow larger every day and will continue to do so.
I do believe meeting you and other family members at the gym for a luncheon afterwords. It was an honor and pleasure. :)
Take Care & God Bless
Ben
Just A Patriot Guard Rider
We Stand For Those Who Stood For Us
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Nice to meet ya...
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