Patriot Guard Riders start the New Year
But first, to end the old year.
We have had missions for family, friends, and too many friends we never knew until we stood in respect of them. There have been problems within the state, mostly from differences of opinion and personal interpretations of events. There are still a number of things happening at the national level and I won’t get into those politics here (I don’t “do” politics). I’m proud to say that we are still what the founding members intended the PGR to be, people who are there to support the men and women who defend our country today, tomorrow, or 65 years ago. I had a soul moving experience on a mission just months ago that I will not cover here but may share when next we meet. Suffice it to say, the reach of someone in the service is infinite in space and time (hint, 65 years later).
We have had some amazing adventures and unfortunately, those who do the work aren’t thanked often enough. That means every member who gives up their days or nights to stand the line. Whether you have been there once or a hundred times, traveled 5 miles or 500 miles, ride a bike or ride the bus, you are the people that make things happen. There’s an old saying that relates to the totem pole, you can see the top from far away but it’s not possible without all the support below.
We have more to do this year, as we always will have as long as there is conflict in the world. We have more men and women that are facing tough times since they served. Whether homeless, in recovery, or still struggling to get by, they need our support. Watch the web site for all the events and organizations we can support. Pass along information you get about support groups, fund raisers, and ways we can do our work beyond the PGR. Take time this year to attend a barbeque, eat pancakes, or help serve ice cream to the vets in the hospitals. I must qualify that this year (as is typical), I have been approached 4 times for “organizations” or events that did not prove to be legitimate so sometimes there are delays in passing along information.
We are also tracking Santa (oh wait, that’s done), I mean the 32nd Brigade who should be returning soon. One of my favorite missions is to Welcome Home those we sent off. Get ready for the BIG Welcome Home.
Finally, as some of you are aware. Henry was removed as Regional Captain a few months back and subsequently so was the National Captain Louann Thomas. As a result I received the following this morning.
The existing North Central Region is being dissolved. The states of Illinois and Wisconsin will be incorporated into the Mid-West Region. The Mid-West Region will now consist of Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, Indiana, Ohio, Kentucky, and Canada. Gregory Newman will remain as the Region Captain. His contact info can be found in the Statewide email sent out to members on 1/1/10
This is being done to in an effort to make all Regions more comparable as to the number of States in each Region.
As I’ve mentioned before, this has little affect on what we do. We come together in love, honor, and respect for the fallen. We don’t need fancy bikes, gear, uniforms, or equipment. I know a number of members who stood with their own flag, alone or with one other member and did what we do. Those were great missions. As we start the New Year, I know we’ll see each other somewhere, sometime.
This year, let’s remember the words that I first heard from Ed Muller on my first mission, “Many of you have been on missions before, many are new. The important thing to remember is that the most important mission is the one you're at today.”
