5/7/08
My name is Susan Bishop.Arthur was my cousin.I wanted to thank everyone
who sent their condolences to my family via your web site.We feel so blessed to be able to lay Arthur to rest with his friends and hero's.God bless you all for your dedication to our fallen hero's,and the respect you have given their families.
Susan Bishop
Cousin of Arthur Eastman
5/6/08
I just wanted to drop a quick thank you line. The 22nd of April I attended his funeral in Watkinsville, GA. (I had to fly in from Yuma, AZ, retrograding out of a 4 month duty assignment a week early. Wasn't proud to leave my 9 Marines behind but we had a strong GySgt who could bring them back safely and competently, and I could afford to apologize to them for leaving early. Couldn't apologize to the 1stSgt.)
I had a friend of mine who warned me during my 9 hour drive south from Cherry Point, NC to the city that if I saw the church of insufferable bigotry, Westborough, or whatever they're answering to this week, to not touch them. They have their plethora of lawyers ready to deal with any response. I felt physically sick the rest of the ride. Seeing your riders there, physically just seeing them there, made me feel safe.
Thank you for applauding for all uniformed personnel. As I walked into the church I found it hard to not cry just out of that gesture. You guys are fighting a war back here on our soil--something we haven't been tasked to do yet. There is a lot of unsung heroism to your modesty and I want you to know it meant a lot. (And to be a little more honest, this was my first military funeral as a military service member…if one of you hadn't been yelling "Present/Order arms" from the sidelines, I might not have known what to do, myself.)
Thank you for what you're doing. Politics aside, actions speak louder than words. Thank God for you and your actions, and if I ever catch any of you on more pleasant terms than a funeral, you're eating for free. Thank you again.
Semper Fi,
1stLt Robert Gibson
5/6/08
On behalf of the Cooper family, and being the oldest daughter of a fallen World War II veteran and Ex-POW, I would like to extend our sincere appreciation to the Patriot Guard Riders from North and South Carolina who rode with Rolling Thunder to escort my Dad to his final resting place.
While my Dad was a patient in the nursing home at the Dorn VA Medical center in Columbia, SC, it always meant a great deal to him when some of your group would stop in. It really made his day. When he died on April 18, we (the entire family) knew he would have wanted you there. I was really surprised by how many of you were able to make it, since the funeral was on a Monday (April 21). I know some of you must have taken time away from jobs, in addition to the fact that most of you had to travel from other towns.
Two riders escorted the family car from my parent's home to the funeral home, working with local law enforcement to ensure a safe ride. When we arrived at the funeral home, the parking lot was packed with bikes, and to see your folks standing at attention holding flags that were waving in the
breeze !!!!!! It truly brought tears to my eyes, and made me proud to
know that others besides our family understood what it had meant for my Dad
to have served his country. The motorcycle escort to the cemetery took
my breath away, with so many flags flying!!!! Then, your group formed a
semi-circle around the family tent, and I could feel the love and pride you folks were, without words, extending to our family.
Everything was done with so much love and dignity !!! I have always known
my Dad was a HERO. And to be honored in such a way by others who have also served and sacrificed. Thank you hardly seems enough.
Becky Riley
5/4/08
Hi there,
Ive just written this letter to pay my respects to what your club does. On May 3rd our television aired the most 'hated family in america' and my heart went out to all the fallen soliders who are fighting for their country. It's not even about the politics on whether its right or wrong, its about someone who believes in his country so strongly he puts his life on the line. To have people who demonize them and to disrespect what they have done in front of their families is one of the lowest deeds I can possibly think of. I'm glad that an organisation like yours was formed to put a buffer between the people who are paying respect from those who are not. I wish your organisation every success and want you to know I think your members are not only brave but honorable at what they do.
Yours sincerely
Tim.
5/4/08
I am the proud daughter of a Vietnam Vet and I want to thank you all for all you do. I live in Clermont County Ohio. The home county of Matt Maupin. I was glad to see him come home, but not the way he did. You ALL did a wonderful job making sure his services were honorable. Matt became an icon of hope and faith during these times and I know we all hoped that he would be able to walk off of that plane. Following the services, I met one of your members at a gas station and I wanted to make it a point to thank him personally for all that you do. I hope I didn't embarrass him but it was my way of thanking you ALL. Keep up the great work and again thanks!
A Clermont County Native
Jodi Arthur
5/4/08
My name is Lisa Sine. I was one of the military wives that attended Shauns funeral. I just want to tell you again thank you so much for being there to honor Shaun. I know how it meant to Janie, Becky, the kids, and everyone else that was there to honor Shaun and be there for support for the family. You kind words will be forever in my heart. I would love to stay in touch with you guys because to me, you are a part of our family as well. Please tell Eric that he will be in our prayers when he leaves in June. I can not thank you enough for what you do. You are all true heros as well and its so reassuring to know that we have support like yours. Lots of love and stay safe.
Lisa Sine
5/3/08
Sir
I was just reading the news here tonight before I catch some sleep and came across this story of SGT Merlin's passing. Very sad but I am sure God needed him elsewhere and he is free from the earthly pain he must have been enduring. I salute you gentlemen and ladies who are part of the Patriot Guard Riders and just wanted to say thank you for all you and your fellow riders do for the families of our fallen heros. Please tell your fellow members your work is truly appreciated.
God bless and God's speed.
Christopher S. Pittman
MAJ, SF
5/2/08
Dear Wisconsin Patriot Guard Riders,
I am writing to express my deep gratitude for your presence at Steve's funeral. I was truly touched to see all of you lining the walk to the funeral in the pouring rain. Your selfless presence cast a feeling of protection over the sadness of the day's events. Thank you for your dedication to Steve and to all fallen soldiers. You truly do make a difference.
Rebecca Walters
Cudahy, WI
5/2/08
Today, May 2, 2008, has been a very emotional day. Today Princess Krista Biker Babe would have been 9 years old. Our family spent the day reminiscing and crying and laughing and crying. Even now our Princess still has our emotions spinning. I have put off sending our thank you to the PGR because I wanted it to be profound. Krista wasn’t like that. She just said what was in her heart or on her mind and sometimes both. So I am starting our note today, on her birthday at 2300.
There are few words that can describe the IMPRESSION that the PGR has made on our lives. My cousin Keith Johnson, NightTurkey from SC PGR, put together a PGR vest, complete with patches and pins. Bill “NJ Hawk” Connelly arranged to bring the vest to our home on Feb 24, 2008. 52 bikes and 12 vehicles delivered this vest to our daughter. Not one person present has been the same since. On that day, Hawk, John Kwasna (NYPGR), and Vinnie (BACA) told us if we ever needed anything we should call and they would be there for us. Little did we know about God’s plan for our (His) little Princess BB.
On Good Friday morning instead of our “pre-trip to MD Anderson Hospital” check up at the clinic, we were admitted to Stony Brook Hospital because of a bleed. By Easter Sunday the doctors recommended to stop her daily medications and concentrate on keeping her comfortable. Her liver was just about finished. Monday she began selling Krista’s Vacation Drinks to raise money for St Judes, much to the dismay of the UHSB staff. Nevertheless, she raised over $200 by Tuesday night. Wednesday morning we were told to give family and friends the opportunity to say goodbye. The hardest call of all, next to calling our family, was the call I made to Hawk. We would be requesting the PGR to do a 2nd and final Mission for our daughter. On Thursday, March 27, 2008, Princess Krista BB became Princess Angel Krista BB. And, because of the impact of the “Vest Mission”, we asked Hawk to speak at the service.
The PGR of NY, NJ, CT, and even a guest from NM were PHENOMINAL at the funeral home. The Flag Line was awe inspiring. To see grown men and women bikers, standing at attention, holding American Flags, with tears on their faces meant so much to our family and friends. The escort—WOW!! Our daughter was treated like royalty. The Suffolk County Police and the PGR put on an awesome display to and from the church service. The hearse driver even commented that the people on the road must be thinking that they were being stopped for some type of dignitary. At the service, Hawk’s eulogy was absolutely perfect. He was even led to write a poem in the early hours of the morning, again PERFECT!
As the reflections come in we can only stand in awe and humility that God chose us to nurture Krista. He worked a miracle in preparing our hearts and home to accept a dormant child into our home and watch her bloom into the most breath-taking, head-strong, caring, and generous Princess. All she had to do was make eye contact with you and within minutes; she had your heart in her hands, along with a couple of bucks for one of her sick friends.
Most of you knew her for minutes, hours, days, weeks, or months. We were privileged by God to have her in our home for 3yrs 2mos. Of which 1yr 2wks she belonged to us. We are glad that she is now with her Savior, yet the silence is deafening. We miss her a lot.
Her life story is inspiring to all who read and hear of it. The support for our family has been AWESOME. We thank each and every one of you, again and again.
HUG YOUR CHILDREN, Get to know your neighbors, Buy a SLURPEE for some kids you know (or don’t know), RESTORE BROKEN RELATIONSHIPS, Find a cause and raise money for it, Visit the sick in the hospital or the shut-ins from church, Become foster parents, Adopt a child, Call someone when you think of them - they probably need to hear from you. In doing this, you are honoring Krista in a very practical way.
Thanks Again for EVERYTHING!
Cheryl & Dave; Matt, Katie & Nolan; Christian; Michael; David Dideriksen
Princess Angel Krista, “Biker Babe”
Born: 5-2-99
Eternally Healed and Made Forever Beautiful: 3-27-08
5/2/08
Dear Patriot Guard,
My name is Troy Shaw, I am the grandson of MSG (Ret) Donald L. Meador Sr. I wanted to thank everyone in the Patriot Guard for their kind words about my grandfather. I also wanted to thank all your members that were present at his funeral, they gave him the most honorable service. He was a Hero and so are all of you.
God bless you! Thank you for all that you do for this country.