Letters 2011

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From the family of Larry Sullivan 09 March 2011

“Dear PGR,

We, the family of Larry Sullivan, extend our deepest thanks and appreciation for the beautiful tribute to our wonderful husband, dad and PaPa. Larry would have been so proud. He always admired and respected the great service you give to men and women who have served our country. He was a very proud Marine.

We have heard many wonderful comments about the PGR since Larry's funeral. The honor and respect you show makes all of us so very proud. Thank you again for your time. It was an honor to have you with our family in this difficult time.”

Sincerely,
Janet, Heather and Casey Sullivan

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From Military Moms of Texas with regard to the Cpl Tevan Nguyen memorial event in Hutto:

“Thank you for your overwhelming support in honoring one of our own local fallen heroes. There is no greater cause than to support our Military and their families who sacrifice so much for so many.

Military Moms of Texas, Family, and Friends thank you for your overwhelming support in honoring our country's dearest treasure: the American Soldier.

Together we are stronger, as an individual, a family, a community, and a nation. We and the Nguyen Family are very grateful for your support in this endeavor.”

Tracy LaPorte and the Military Moms of Texas

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From the Family of Anthony Nunn, KIA, Burnet
June 28th 2011

From: Mark [mailto:markmc@nctv.com]
Sent: Tuesday, June 28, 2011 10:17 AM
To: johnboy@281.com
Subject: Anthony Nunn, KIA, Burnet

“Hi Mark,

I would like to say thank you to everyone that was involved in the Patriot Guard. I was so proud to watch as your team stood together to honor my son Anthony. He touched so many lives in the time he was with us. I'm a very proud mom, Anthony has always been the protector of our family. Joining the military was not something I wanted for him but he was convinced it was his calling. He never complained while in bootcamp and he never complained about anything while in Afghanistan. Anthony was honored to be part of something bigger than most, part of those you served to protect. He believed God was always with him and knew what could happen if deployed. I have some comfort in knowing he wasn't alone. Heaven needed my hero…

I am honored that I was able to be Anthony's mom for any amount of time. ”

Thank you again so very much Mark.
Christina Bennefield

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From the Mother of PFC Anthony Nunn 7-14-2011

From: C.Bennefield [mailto:ctinab7@yahoo.com]
Sent: Thursday, July 14, 2011 11:58 PM
To: johnboy@281.com
Subject: PFC Anthony Nunn

“I sit here and try and think of the right words. How do I express the feelings that I have for all of you who rode for my son, PFC Anthony Nunn.

I would like to say thank you for being beside us to welcome him home and to lay him to rest. It was an honor to have you there. To see everyone standing proud with us was just amazing. Thank you for doing what you do for all of our fallen soldiers.

I don't know your name, Texas Coyote, but would you please pass this on to the others.

~GOD BLESS YOU ALL~”

Christina Bennefield

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From Chuck Keplar, son of Vince Keplar, 01 Sep 11

“Andy,
There are truly no words to express my feelings for what the PGR did by attending my father's funeral (Charles Keplar, 7 July 2011).

Having ridden missions as a member of the PGR, I have felt the Honor of being there to stand for the families.

I will never forget the feelings I had on that day as my friends and I arrived at the church escorting my mother and saw the PGR standing tall and Proud. Not only was mom truly overwhelmed, but members of the church still talk about what a great thing y'all did for Pops that day. When mom went into the church, she stood at a window just watching the flags.

The ride captain and all the others did an amazing job through out the entire mission.

I was finally able to attend another mission this past Saturday (27 August). Having now been on the other side of a mission, I have a different perspective, one of an even greater sense of Honor and Pride for what the PGR does. I saw several of the members who stood for Pops and was proud to be standing with them again. I spoke with one about pops and he asked me how mom was doing. The fact that he remembered her and her "kind eyes" brought a rush of emotions.

On behalf of my Family and my Brothers and Sisters who rode with me for Pops that day I would like to thank each and everyone of you for what you do.
I have attached a video tribute to my father that one of the ladies at the church put together, please feel free to share it.”

Sincerely, Chuck Keplar

Here is a link to the video
animoto.com/play/7NMSSP1WVs5LU8NLiM8fpA

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From Gary Phipps STPGR, Sep 17 2011

From:
Subject: KEN HOLDEN MISSION

“Sam,
I just got back to Corpus Christi. My riding partner had bike trouble and I was delayed getting home.

I want to tell you how grateful I am for all your time and efforts that went into putting together Kens homecoming. It was a top notch welcoming and my family will be talking about it for years to come. You pulled out all the stops and everything went off without as much as a single flaw and I am most impressed with your PGR chapter. Please pass along my heartfelt thanks to all who attended and let them know I'd be proud to stand any flag line with any of them.

If ever you are in the Corpus area please give me a call. Its not the Hill Country but there is some pretty good riding here. The door is open.

Thanks again to you and the AUSPGR for making Kens homecoming so very special.”

Sincerely,
Gary Phipps
STPGR rider

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Received from SSgt. K.C. Holden's Mom and Dad, welcome home 9-16-11

“Hello once again…..I wanted to send a thank you for what you did for us on Friday. How do you put into words how touched we were by every single one of the Patriot Guard?? It is a moment we will never forget. Forever etched in my heart and you all will always be a part of my heart forever.
I cannot explain how amazing it was to see you honor my son as you did. I consider him a hero and I cherish him with all my heart. You conveyed that emotion so perfectly on Friday and you do not even know him. It is a bond that runs so deep and is shared by every veteran. Other people don't get it. I witnessed it between you all and my son and I will always have that memory. Not everyone gets to be a part of this elite club. Soldiers get it….
Every part of this weekend was perfect and it started with you all. Thank you for making his return so unbelievable. I was a little concerned he was going to be uncomfortable with all of it, but he connected to you all in a hurry. I loved it. I try to explain to people what it was like and I cannot put it into words. It was one of those "you had to be there". PLEASE thank each and everyone of the Patriot Guard who honored my son. Tell them that I am honored to have met them and they are soooo greatly appreciated. More than they really know. Thank you for the service you are doing for so many. I hope all of you realize how very important you are and how very much you are each needed. You are changing lives and honoring them. The most noble thing a person can do for another. GOD BLESS THE PATRIOT GUARD AND PROTECT YOU IN ALL THAT YOU DO!!!!!!! wE ARE SO BLESSED TO KNOW YOU”

Tim and Lynda David

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11-9-11 From the Family Of Jessie Perez, Vietnam Veteran
Service was in Corpus Christi

“Eric and fellow PGR members, the family of Jessie Perez along with myself and wife, would like to extend to all of you our most sincere thanks on behalf of the family of Jessie. It was an honor to have you all there to give our Cousin, Jessie a very well deserved send off.. As his wife, Sandra said, "Jessie will be dancing in heaven knowing that the Patriot Guard will be there to give him a send off to heaven". Jessie was a great supporter of Veterans, and would have loved to have this.

Again, it was a great honor to see the group of Veterans with their flags lined up and pay respects to one of our own.

God Bless you all for what you do, and from the bottom of our hearts. our most sincere thanks.
On behalf of the family of Jessie.”

Thanks
Joe Rodriguez. AusPGR Member
Sgt E-5 US Army Special Forces
Viet Nam Vet. 1966-69
Austin, Texas 78728

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