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Subject: Spc. Brian A. Wright, 19, of Keensburg, IL

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cgbrocksmith User is Offline

Posts: 1291
Quincy, IL - "Defend Those Who Defended Us"

17 Dec 2005 8:36 PM	Alert
Mission completed. Ride report to follow after I get some rest. Chris

MIAP Central US Operations Coordinator "To Care For Him Who Shall Have Borne The Battle" - Abraham Lincoln President Abraham Lincoln stated in the Gettysburg Address: "From these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain." Dying for Freedom isn't the worst that could happen...BEING FORGOTTEN IS! Respect and truth, not law, counters the obnoxious!

Rough Rider User is Offline

Posts: 1360
Ballwin, MO

17 Dec 2005 8:40 PM	Alert
It does tend to blow you away. Your rest is well deserved, Chris. Congratulations on a job well done. Coming to you from Sunny but cool Dalton, GA. I had several guys out of St. Louis pass me today and I think they were headed your way. They saw my bike and I think they thought I was going, too. If they read this, yes, that was Rough Rider's Black Cherry Road Star on the trailer headed south. I hope to hook up with willprevale tomorrow morning.

LLRB Rough Rider, USNR-Ret Vietnam '67-'68 Past MO Ride Captain MO State Captain 2005-2006 ICVMC

ivetret

Posts: 3757
Shermer, IL

17 Dec 2005 8:57 PM	Alert
Jason has now posted my photos in the Photo Gallery for this funeral. Note the picture in which I circled the snipers on the roof of the High School. It took me longer to get there than I had planned so I was a bit late for the procession but caught up with Chris and the rest of PGR. Spc Wright was very well supported and the gym was packed. Mt Carmel is a very very patriotic town based on all the colors and personalized yellow ribbons. We were told by patrolmen that WBC were there the night before passing out fliers of their trash but they didn't have the nerve to show up on Saturday. We waited outside after a long funeral (open casket). PGR was posted where the family members left the gym. Chris’s leadership and attention to detail include rearranging the big flag holders so that the field of the flag would be in proper position of the on coming mourners. Many rolled their windows down as they drove by and thanked us. Others -- their expression said it all.

“Lest I keep my complacent way I must remember somewhere out there a person died for me today. As long as there must be war, I ask and I must answer was I worth dying for?” [Eleanor Roosevelt] @}-,-`-

cgbrocksmith User is Offline

Posts: 1291
Quincy, IL - "Defend Those Who Defended Us"

18 Dec 2005 3:04 AM	Alert
PATRIOT GUARD VIDEO CLICK ON "TEENAGE SOLDIER DIES IN IRAQ - WATCH THIS VIDEO" http://www.news25.us/

MIAP Central US Operations Coordinator "To Care For Him Who Shall Have Borne The Battle" - Abraham Lincoln President Abraham Lincoln stated in the Gettysburg Address: "From these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain." Dying for Freedom isn't the worst that could happen...BEING FORGOTTEN IS! Respect and truth, not law, counters the obnoxious!

cgbrocksmith User is Offline

Posts: 1291
Quincy, IL - "Defend Those Who Defended Us"

18 Dec 2005 4:22 AM	Alert
Probably a better longer lasting link: http://www.news25.us/Global/story.asp?S=4258550 If anyone can figure out how to save this link to file would be great. DEFENDING THOSE THAT DEFENDED US Chris

MIAP Central US Operations Coordinator "To Care For Him Who Shall Have Borne The Battle" - Abraham Lincoln President Abraham Lincoln stated in the Gettysburg Address: "From these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain." Dying for Freedom isn't the worst that could happen...BEING FORGOTTEN IS! Respect and truth, not law, counters the obnoxious!

dtswood

Posts: 0

18 Dec 2005 8:12 AM	Alert
This was my first Mission Ride, and it is an honor to be associated with this group. I was wide awake at 3am not knowing quite what to expect. I arrived about two hours early but I was not the first, Chris Brocksmith was already in town checking the route and planning every detail. Several townsfolk stopped to talk with us, one thought we were the UG's!!!...and let me tell you, from his demeanor...The UG's made a wise decision not to show!! For a while I was beginning to wonder if it would be just Chris and I? Then came the Calvary..forgive me for not remembering everyones name,3 Legion Riders from IN, HOG from MT Vernon who braved the cold and came mounted.., Butch and Diane from E-town KY, "Betsy Ross" Rose and her husband with her hand sewn PGR Flag, and a very dedicated local MC. I think we had around 8 PGR and would guess about 30 or so altogether. We had to park a couple blocks from the school. Having been caught by a traffic light, I was behind the main group. As I rushed toward the school with my flag held high, several townsfolk stopped to shake my hand and thank me for being there to honor their hero. That message was conveyed again and again..you could see it every face. MT Carmel's population of 8,000 must have doubled that day...every sidewalk, parking lot, and streetcorner was filled with people, in fact even along the streets of Grayville, 15 miles away people were out with flags. Mt. Carmel is just the kind of town that makes you proud to be an American. Brian A. Wright was their hero and Mt. Carmel was going to honor him, they knew him, they loved him and they will miss him. Amid all the outpouring and support, you may wonder what difference does 30 bikers with flags make? The people from Mt. Carmel were obviously touched, *we didnt know Brian, yet we came hundreds of miles and from several states....they knew that they had lost a beloved son...our presence was an acknowledgement that someone cares!* The local VFW leader and the IL State police contingent thanked us for being there. I guess that there will always be those that question why you would spend a Saturday standing in the the cold? SPC Brian A. Wright knew why. I just know that our group standing tall with flags conveys what words cannot...

cgbrocksmith User is Offline

Posts: 1291
Quincy, IL - "Defend Those Who Defended Us"

18 Dec 2005 3:40 PM	Alert
A successful mission is always great to write about. Left Quincy, IL at 5 am on Saturday morning It was 15 degrees and with the chance of snow, I thought I had better take the wife’s Malibu inside of the Vstar. I also decided that St Louis was going to have to be avoided so, I headed towards Springfield and south from their to Litchfield. I cut across the Illinois countryside just as the sun was breaking. 318 miles doesn’t seem like a lot but when you are always on the alert for black ice, snow patches or deer….they seem to drag. Arrived at Route 1 North, heading into Mount Carmel right at 10 am. As I approached Keensburg, IL, Spc Wright’s hometown, I stopped to take a photo of the sign that stated 600. Hardly even noticed the few dozen homes on each side of the highway (back in the trees). This young man was from a really small town. I was sure that everyone knew him and that Mount Carmel wasn’t going to be much bigger. I went by the high school and talked to a nice officer about the arrangements and reviewed the UG’s area. It was really small. They had placed them on the west side of the school and the Patriot Guard Riders between them and the family procession. This looked good. As I headed for the meeting place, I noticed that almost every streetlight pole had a Yellow Ribbon sign on it with the name and service of each hometown hero that was serving his country. It was a great idea and some homes had the signs in front of them because that is where they lived. I could tell that this town loved their young women and men that were serving. I arrived at the IGA and talked with the store manager. I thanked him for his assistance and for letting us gather in his lot. As I left the store, an elderly gentleman drove up next to me and rolled his window down. As I approached him, he stated in a very stern voice, “what are you in town for?” I stated that we were the Patriot Guard Riders and that we were here to support Brian and his family. He stated, “good….you better be!”. This hometown really, really cares for the hero’s. Don (dtswood)(he is the gentleman that needs new reading glasses for maps) was there and had the virago packed up in the back of the truck. Don had came from Kentucky. We exchanged greetings and waited for other Patriot Guard to arrive. Heck it was only 11 am. We had a good hours wait. Several people stopped and asked who we were and after explaining, we go the same words of encouragement, “you better be”. Rick, the store manager, came out at about 1130 with another employee. They explained that someone had been in town last night handing out UG flyers. Ever since last night, no one has seen hide nor hair of the UG’s. I think someone asked them to leave town……or. At about noon, 3 gentlemen from the VFW Riders in Indiana show up. DAWG was his name. He had an executive looking type with him and the biggest bear with a beard ya every saw. Great bunch of guys and real gun ho in getting the job done. In drove another gentleman and then came 3 riders and 2 female observers. We were ready to saddle up and head over to our appointed place. No cars or bike were allowed within 1 block of the school. We dismounted and proceeded up the hill. When we arrived there were other riders “Hi-Way Disciples of Wabash County, IL” They has a sign already pre-made and post for the hero. No need to get the men ready. They were there. We briefed everyone about the dos and don’ts. As I looked around I noticed that the police force has 3 times that of Virden and they even had observers (or snipers) on the roof. The great thing was that, they were strategically located around the UG holding area. They were there for…….protection? I guess the officers believed that someone might have hard feelings if the UG’s were there. They sure do love their hometown hero’s. The UG’s were a no show but the Patriot Guard Riders stayed for the entire service. I guess their cause wasn’t enough to ensure that they would be present. Poor excuse of a protest. IVETRET showed up with her husband and she always looks bigger on-line. She was dressed the nicest so after introduction, she went inside to pay our respects. We talked and enjoyed each other’s company for 2 and ½ hours. The temp’s rose and the locals even let some of our members use their restrooms in their homes. We stayed the course until the end of the service and then showed our respect as Brian and his family passed by. Almost every car rolled their windows down and thanked us. Some gave us the thumbs up and others you could just see it in their faces…..Thank you. I thanked everyone there, rider or not, and stated that they were what America was all about. They were my friends and that I would gladly ride with any one of them. We shook hands, hugged and said our goodbyes. The 318 miles home were a great time for reflection. 632 miles, 30 degree temps and 16 hours on the road were time and effort well spent. This man and his family deserved much better than I could provide but it was the least I could do. DEFEND THOSE THAT DEFENDED US and I do it proudly. Thanks Brian! MISSION COMPLETE!

MIAP Central US Operations Coordinator "To Care For Him Who Shall Have Borne The Battle" - Abraham Lincoln President Abraham Lincoln stated in the Gettysburg Address: "From these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain." Dying for Freedom isn't the worst that could happen...BEING FORGOTTEN IS! Respect and truth, not law, counters the obnoxious!

cgbrocksmith User is Offline

Posts: 1291
Quincy, IL - "Defend Those Who Defended Us"

18 Dec 2005 3:42 PM	Alert
Thanks for the excellent write up Don. Job Well Done!

MIAP Central US Operations Coordinator "To Care For Him Who Shall Have Borne The Battle" - Abraham Lincoln President Abraham Lincoln stated in the Gettysburg Address: "From these honored dead we take increased devotion to that cause for which they here gave the last full measure of devotion - that we here highly resolve that these dead shall not have died in vain." Dying for Freedom isn't the worst that could happen...BEING FORGOTTEN IS! Respect and truth, not law, counters the obnoxious!

Twister

Posts: 1811
Broken Arrow, OK

18 Dec 2005 6:37 PM	Alert
What can I say. Great reports. You folks realize our mission and take it to heart....Honor a fallen soldier. You make me so proud to be a PGR member. Thanks for making all of us proud. Salute, Jeff

In the end, we remember not the words of our enemies, but the silence of our friends. Martin Luther King, Jr.

phedup

Posts: 0

19 Dec 2005 8:42 AM	Alert
Excellent job everyone!!! Anonther mission ride well done!!

wildabouthorses User is Offline

Posts: 0

19 Dec 2005 8:37 PM	Alert
Way to go PGR's!

690MedCo

Posts: 5343
Philadelphia, PA

19 Aug 2007 9:30 PM	Alert
Thank you Spc. Brian A. Wright for your service and sacrifice to defend this great country of ours!! Rest in peace. Glen & Linda

Glen Owsley SP4 U.S. Army 1976-1979 Medical Specialist 690th Medical Co (amb) 34th Medical Btn Ft Benning, GA U.S. Army Reserve 1979-1982 Patriot Guard Rider Leave No Veteran Behind! Blessed are the peacemakers, for they shall be called the children of God.

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