Over the past week I've done a lot of thinking about PGR.  It's been quite a ride!! More tears and joy than I could have imagined.  I'd like to share some of those thoughts and memories with you.

First, thank you for the honor of being your National Director. I cannot think of anything in my life, including my service in Vietnam that has meant more to me. We, as a group have made a real difference in the world. My wife commented the other day that we would be a footnote in history; a group that formed out of respect and service to our troops. To lead this group has been the greatest honor of my life; it’s a memory that I will hold close to my heart as long as I live.

Together, we have done some amazing things. I look back at these and I'm still amazed that we managed it. Let's look back together.

The deMoors mission comes to mind. I had heard that this wonderful lady had lost a child to SIDS 10 years before and that her husband, David deMoors wanted to be buried with his son. Without out a thought I said "We can do that". With 5000 members at the time, I thought we could do it. Well, WE did it! We brought his family from Canada to Alabama for the service and buried Gabrielle with his dad. Who would have believed it? The baby was in Salt Lake City, Utah and the escorts and arrangements took several hundred people. But we got it done. A lot of you remember that mission. Many of you contributed the money and effort it took to get it done.

It was typical of what I have seen you do. Like a family of brothers and sisters, we work together for a common good. We may fight and disagree on occasion but we make the missions. We stand together in the flag line as a team to support the troops and their families. We are there for them, and for each other.

As we have felt the strain and emotions of the missions, we have held each other up. We have given the folks of my generation, the Vietnam generation, our pride back. We have said “not on my watch". Working with the PGR has done more for my PTSD than all the therapy the VA has to offer. My little brother died in Vietnam and his funeral procession was disrespected. Today people stand by their cars in honor and respect. We arrived home to protestors at the airport. Our troops today arrive to a line of flags and a sincere "thanks for your service"! You should all be proud.

Now this Thanksgiving the PGR in Florida will present a young wounded warrior and his family the key to a new house. That's right, a house. It was built with money raised by Soldier's Angels and the PGR. No small feat but done anyway.

But there are hundreds of stories like this, all over the country. They come from the hearts of our members. The desire to serve is strong in all of us; as it should be.

So as I step down; I would say to all of you, thank you for the honor and privilege of being part of this. I will continue to ride and stand the flag line for our heroes as I have done since we began. I will stand beside you, my brothers and sisters. I will always help in any way I can. I'll be here for each of you.

Your brother

Snap

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When I was asked to make a parting statement to the membership upon my exit from the Board of Directors, I was reluctant to do so.  I have never felt like the PGR is anything to do with who I am or what I do, and none of the positions that I have held are as important to me as those we come to honor.  Therefore, I felt no parting words were necessary.  However, upon reflection, I thought that maybe there were a few things I would like to say. 

First, I would like to say “thank you” to each and every one of you for what you do for our Heroes and their families.  Even if you have never had the opportunity to attend a mission, thank you anyway for those very important thoughts and prayers and positive posts. 

I would like to say “thank you” to all of you who have stepped up and asked “what more can I do?”  Those who are behind the scenes working diligently to help the rest of us carry out the mission of the PGR are rarely known by face or name.  One such person who has worked very closely with me is Kerri Bassett (“the plaque lady”).  Kerri coordinates the ordering and delivery of our honor plaques for presentation to the families of our heroes.  I am truly thankful for all of her efforts in that regard - she has done, and will continue to do, an outstanding job.  Without you all, the PGR would not have gotten where we are today. 

I would like to say “thank you” to all of you who wish you had more time to do more, who wish you could get off work to attend more missions, or who wish all of our Heroes over seas would come home soon, safe and sound, because even if those are wishes that you cannot fulfill at this time, they are very important to the morale that helps our Heroes make it through the toughest times. 

I would like to say thank you to all of you who have challenged me as I served you (you know who you are - Monica, Steam, Louann, Woody, Tony, to name a few).  Thanks to each of you, because although I did not always agree with your views on things, you made sure that I considered many different angles and opinions, and without that, I could not have taken somewhat informed stances on the various issues I was required to consider. 

I would like to say “thank you” to all of you who has ever had an idea about how to continue honoring our Heroes.  Not one of us has done it alone; not one of us has had a totally original thought on how to let our Heroes and their families know we care, but together we have created the PGR, and together we will continue to honor those for which it was created.  Thank you ALL for showing our Heroes that America cares. 

And most important – to our Heroes, I “thank you” for your bravery, your unselfish choice to serve our country, and for the many sacrifices you make every day for the Freedom and Care of others and your love of Country.  Your service has not, and will not, go unnoticed.

Finally, please continue to support the Board of Directors.  They (past and present Board) are nothing special, they are not super “powers that be,” they do not have skins so thick that nothing you say can penetrate.  They are simply volunteers who each has been asked to volunteer to serve you, as a Board, and each, even knowing how stressful it can be, has accepted the task.  Not one person on the past Board, or the incoming Board, asked to be there.  Not one of them actively sought out the position.  They are human, they will make mistakes, but from experience, I know that they will also spend countless, sleepless, nights trying to right any wrongs that they (or you) perceive.  Please give them the support they need to continue serving the PGR “above reproach.” 

To the best group of people I have ever known, all I can say is God bless you all for what you do so selflessly for our Heroes.  Do not ever stop – they need you; they need all of us.  It has been my honor to have this opportunity to serve you and our Heroes.

Bonnie

Bonnie:
The human body is not made up of just one cell or organ but many. Every one is important, although many are not seen and are taken forgranted. We have eyes to see, ears to hear, mouth to speak, which are all seen by others. We have a heart, both literally, and emotionally, which is not seen but without them, we could not function. Our feet take us places we need to go and yet are rarely seen.
You, young lady, have a very deep, loving heart, and have been willing to allow your feet take you where your heart has guided, and that kind of person is one who makes a fantastic organization, like PGR, just what it is today. I have never been a part of an organization that has seeked to honor our Warriors the way PGR has and I have been and still am so very proud of to be a small part of this organization. You have been a vital part, and will remain a vital part, even though stepping down from your position and we want you to know how much we love and appreciate all you and so many others have selfishly given of yourselves to honor our heros, both past and present. I have never been to a funeral of a HERO, whereas, I have received more than I have given, although it wasn't meant by me to do so. Thank God for all of you, who have been doing the hard work in National, to guide this wonderful organization.
May God bless you and may you know that you are also a HERO is those of us that are grunts (foot soldiers) is this fine group of people.
With love, prayers and thankfulness for your service,
Jim Sandefur III
USAF 1963-67 SAC

Thank you for all your hard work.
Jeff

*deep sigh*
I sure am gonna miss that picture of the skunk *S* Bonnie!!
Challenges are something we all have to go thru, but hopefully if we face em and can keep going the PGR will aways be stronger because of them. The PGR is stronger today because of the leadership that has been in place from the beginning and it will continue to grow stronger because of you Bonnie, and Snap and Jason. Thank YOU Bonnie for letting me share of bit of this time on the path of the PGR with you.
There will be no good-bye from me Bonnie...I like to think that someday we can kick back with a bottle of Patron and a lemon and just laugh alot.
Be well, be safe!
See ya soon!

Bonnie - simply put, thanks for your leadership. You can look back on your time and be proud of all that was accomplished by the PGR. Thank you for all you have done.

Thank you ~ Bonnie.

dietsche12762

Thank you Bonnie.
Joe Shiah

I would personally like to thank everyone that has served at the national level. You folks have worked miracles. The time and effort you have given the organization has been "above and beyond." Thank you. Now grab a flag and stand the line with us blue caps :-)

Bonnie & Snap,
Thank you both for your devotion and and hard work over the past year. I have the utmost respect for both of you.
Snap- always a pleasure to ride with you sir.

Bonnie,

Thank-you for all you have accomplished during your tenure on the Board. I appreciate the guidance which you gave to me, and the support. You always had your way to make me smile, even when things got a little heated. You were there in the past, and I hope that in the future, you will still chime in with your thoughts. I know you have my phone number on speed dial, please don't be a stranger.

Snap,

What can I say brother except thank-you for stepping up when you did. Your solid leadership, your vision of who we are as members of the PGR, and guidance to the rest of the Board, paved our future.

Its true that the members of PGR are what makes this organization effective, but with your help, guidance, and leading by example, set the tone of Respect not only for our Fallen Heroes, but the membership as a whole.

I will continue to seek your help when the going gets tough, as we know the road to success is always filled with potholes.

Respects to you both, for a job well done.

Ed (Wescoot2)

Snap

No words my Friend....you are my friend!

Snap,
All I can say is thank you Brother.
Jeff

Snap and Bonnie, we'll miss you. I've been with the PGR almost since it started. (Mbr 26k something). I'm still awed at the feats accomplished. You've always kept us focused on the mission regardless of the little problems and it has worked miracles. My personal thanks for a super job. Stay safe.
"Never ride faster than your guardian angel can fly"

Snap and Bonnie, I am a Vietnam Vet who was kidna of floundering in my mind as to what I wanted to stand for. The PGR gave me that purpose. I salute anyone who works behinds the scenes to make this organisation what it is.

Thank you for your service to our cause. I hope that someday I will have the privlage of standing beside youalll in a flag line. Hopefulle that willl be a HOTH event. In the meantime, god bless...

Love tinkerp46....member PGR...

Snap and Bonnie,
Thank you for your efforts, time and leadership. It hasn't always been fun. It hasn't always been a cake walk. However, the PGR is now a better and stronger organization than it was ever envisioned. Thanks in part to your efforts.

As you move into the future I hope you find peace and joy in simplicity of just standing the flag line. Time has cheated us all from honoring the heroes as we have done our National duties, but that in itself was our gift to offer.

Thanks for your many talks Snap, for your leadership, and for your friendship. It will always be something I value!!

Bonnie, I hope that time will help us rebuild the friendship that we had when you called me into National service a few short years but a lifetime ago. I still admire the trooper who wrecked her bike and completed the mission before the 200 mile ride back home. I wish you all the best..

Farewell my friends, but not goodbye!!

To all the outgoing BOD:

Thank you from the bottom of my heart.

You accepted jobs that no one (IMHO) in their right mind would want. I don't think you wanted them...LOL But they needed doing and you accepted the challenge. You have lead from the top and from the front and leave the new BOD a bigger, better organization. Stand tall with pride at what you have accomplished. You've earned it.

To the new BOD:

Thank you all for stepping up. Keep the mission in your heart and you'll do great.

To quote Reaps: "Bless you all".

Thanks for all you have done, outgoing BOD...

Welcome incoming BOD.

Bonnie, It would be my honor see you again, down the road.
Dwayne "Frenchie" Broussard

Well done Snap n Bonnie. Your dedication and efforts have led to comfort for those who deserve it. Thats what it's all about. Thank you very much.

Dave Kern

Snap and Bonnie,

You served this organization well, with heart and soul, during some very difficult times. You have my deepest respect and gratitude. Those are small, brief words...with big meaning behind them.

Monica

Snap and Bonnie,

Thank you for all you have done for the Patriot Guard Riders. I can't even begin to imagine the stress you both withstood. Thanks for stepping up when needed.

Respects,
David Lema
Lead Ride Captain
Patriot Guard Riders - Rhode Island

Snap,
I remember the Demoors mission though I could not be there.Now instead of 5,000 you have have 120,000 brothers and sisters that back you and respect you. Respect not given blindly but earned by the strength of you dedication and commitment to our mission.It would always be an honor to ride with you brother.

Bonnie,
All you have done is evident in all that we are.
without your tireless effort the PGR would not be what it is today.

God Bless you both
Shacker

Bonnie and Snap:
I have never met you, but sure do appreciate all you have done. I wish you well in your future endevors wherever it may be.... I know you will still be a part of the PGR just less noticeable, if that is posible.

Thank you for a job well done.........

Naaaaa.....

There are no farewells here. Just until we meet agains.

Love ya both.

Reaps

Snap n Bonnie

Even though I have never met either of you personally, I see the results of your dedication to the PGR on every mission that I have been on.

Thank you both.

Charlie

snap, i hope that some day we will ride together again, i was at both demoors missions the first one was my adult daughters first motorcycle ride, she will never forget that mission and neither will i. stay well my friend

randy richter