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From the family of SFC Ronald W. Sawyer 09/13/09

“Please relay to your members our deepest gratitude for their presence on Saturday at the funeral of SFC Ronald Sawyer. It means a lot us that people care, and would take the time to come out and show the quiet respect for a fallen soldier. I know the preacher said Ron wouldn't have liked all of the fuss, but he was wrong. I was in the car with Ron's dad and brother on the way to the cemetery and we all commented on how cool he would have thought it all was. We were bursting with pride for Ron, especially at the display of respect put on by the people of Florence and all the citizens along the way who stopped and saluted. Words can't express the depths of our sorrow about losing Ron, but I can tell you that the Patriot Guard Riders of Central Texas made the day more bearable. Please keep doing what you do. NO soldier should be just a 5 second blip on the news about the latest casualty count in Iraq or Afghanistan. Your riders make people pay attention when they drive by, and hopefully the observers will take a minute think about and appreciate the sacrifices made by the men and women in our military.
Thank you again, and God bless you all.”

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From a friend of Jeffery Nubbe 8/21/09

“Just a little info about Jeff. He worked at Diablo Canyon Nuclear Power Plant in Avila Beach, CA. He was a Procurement Specialist and worked for me for many years. Jeff was tough (from his submarine days), fair and respected by all. Thanks to all that cared for him in the Lone Star State. I have excellent memories of Jeff and will remember him in my prayers.”

Bob Mc Inerney
Pismo Beach, CA

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From the Joshua Farris Family and Friends 08/04/09

“Your display of honor and respect for my son, Joshua R. Farris, comforted and inspired his family and friends more than you may know. I will be forever grateful for your kindness. May God bless you all.”

Sincerely,
Marla Farris Calhoun

“I would like to thank all of the PGR’s who attended my brothers funeral. It really meant a lot to my family and I, and I do mean that with all my heart. I actually live in Dripping Springs and know the community is extremely supportive but I was even taken back when I saw the support they gave our family for our loss.
For everyone who prayed for us and showed your respect I am thankful.”

With all my heart I thank ya’ll
Brittany Calhoun

“To all the members of the Patriot Guard I want to say “Thank You” for all you do and the way you show honor and respect to the fallen soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for those of us here at home.

Last Saturday so many of you came out for Army Spc. Joshua Farris and I know it is by the invitation of the family, but the magnitude of your presence in such a solemn time overwhelms our hearts with pride of our country and patriotism.

Spc Farris gave his life to protect us from those who seek to destroy us and you honored him in such a way that few can. Please convey my appreciation to all the members of the Patriot Guard.”

Joe Meadows
General Manager
All Faiths Funeral Services
512.339.8878
512.326.8878

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From the Joe Duncum Family 6/14/09

“I hope that you can pass on my gratitude to the members of the patriot guard who escorted me and my family, as well as standing out in the Central Texas heat during my husbands memorial at Camp Mabry on 5 June 09. My husband dedicated his life to the Guard, he spent nearly 42 years in service of his State and Nation. CW4 Joe Duncum, will always be remembered as a very humble and dedicated soldier, and he would have been very proud of your soldiers in their appearance and professionalism. He was very proud in your mission, and I know he spoke to Sam Warren about it many times. Please again forward my thanks and appreciation to your soldiers for me.

As he would say…."Carry On"”
– Linda Duncum (Alpine, Tx)

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From the Ellison Family 5/10/09

“Patriot Guard Rider Larry Sprouse is a good friend of Mr. Ellison's son Barry. Larry received a letter from Barry that contained a request that it be shared with the Patriot Guard Riders.

Larry. Please pass this on to your group. We can't thank you enough for your service to my dad and all veterans. It was an honor to have you and an honor for my dad to see the beautiful service that you provided. I can't pay that back except to keep honoring vets in any way that I can. I too, go out of my way to honor these great Americans. They are all heros to me. Thanks to all the good men and women of the patriot guard for all that you do. I received so many wonderful comments from the participants and visitors to my dad's funeral. They said it was beautiful and wonderfully carried out. We got some great stills and video of the ceremony. I'm proud to know you all.”

God bless America!!!
Barry Ellison and family.

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From the Wentreck Family 3/5/09

“Dear and Wonderful Patriots Guard Riders, I am sorry writing this note has taken me so long but something about finishing this final task seemed, well – so final ,that I put it off until my conscience got the best of me. My sister and I and our families will never forget your support and the great honor you paid our Dad at his last call to duty up yonder. We are so thankful Charla at Gabriels knew about you and got in touch with you. We know our Dad would have both thrilled and proud to have such an esteemed escort as you and the other riders. Since the funeral, I have had occasion to share pictures of Dad's service including those I have attached with several friends. One friend, a former Marine with service in Viet Nam, was so impressed when he heard about your dedication, he promptly joined the Corpus Christi, Texas area group. He said he may not be able to mount a Harley but he can still stand at attention pretty darn good. You have inspired all of us to be better Patriots and Americans – and ever mindful of the sacrifices of our men and women in uniform.”

With sincere Gratitude,
Vickie and Dan Overpeck and family Debbie and Buddy Stewart and family

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From the Joshua Ward Family 2/25/09

“I am Patti Ward, mom to Joshua Ward and I am trying to find the words to tell the Patriot Guards what they did for me Saturday, February 21st. Thank you is just not enough. The respect is overwhelming, the thought that so many people put their day beside to ride and stand for my son. You all made that day just a little bit easier for me and for that I just can't thank you enough. I would have liked to come to each and every one of you and shaken your hand and said thank you and that is what i should have done. Again thank you so much for showing how much you care.”

So very Sincerely,
Patti Ward

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From the Zimmerman Family 02/20/09

“Just wanted to say "Thank You" to all the PGR members that were at the Zimmerman portrait presentation on December 5th, and to let you know how much it meant to us to see all of you there. I know the family of Spc. Meyer will appreciate that same support on Tuesday, February 24. I cannot be at the presentation, but know that I will be riding with the PGR on this mission in my heart.”

Faith Zimmerman

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Thanks to everyone who came out to Brushy Creek for the welcome home for SSGT Petty. The family appreciated our support.

Good job with the flags, Bob!

the PGR got positive press on both TV stations that covered the event.

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just a note of appreciation to everyone who came to pay their respects and accompany the AVTT wall in Lakeway. We had an excellent turn-out ..

Don't forget that the Price of Freedom event continues til Sunday ..

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Relocated post by Military Moms of Texas:
_________________________________

Thank you on behalf of Military Moms Of Texas for assisting us with our members welcome home this Friday. We have confirmation that KVUE news, Austin American Statesman, Round Rock leader , and the county commissioner will be attending. We also have the Great Oaks elementary school coming out that support the troops we adopt. We will have SSGT Petty stopping on the way in at the Brushy Creek Community Center for a gift and interview with us. Thanks and we hope to see everyone there.

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Revised Staging Location

The PGR has been invited to join with family and friends in welcoming home US Marine SSgt Christopher Petty. SSgt Petty is returning to his wife and young son from a deployment to Afghanistan, and we get to be there for the fun.

Date/Time: Friday, 14 May 2010. Expected arrival home sometime after 5 pm.

Staging Location: Staging Location: Austin area riders will stage at the Brushy Creek Rec Center, 16318 Great Oaks Drive, Austin, TX. Map link: tinyurl.com/BrushyCreekRec

Directions: From RR 620 go north on Great Oaks Drive to the first stop sign at Racine Trail. The Rec center is immediately on the right, just past the fire station.

Timeline:
4:30 – 4:45 pm staging
4:45 pm briefing
Flag line established when appropriate.

Wx: Cloudy, high 83 deg, 30% chance of showers. Bring your own drinking water.

Notes: In addition we will send some big flag bikes to meet the cars coming from the airport at the convenience store on the corner of RR 620 and Great Oaks and accompany them to the house.

Ride Captain: Steve von Roeder, svroeder@sbcglobal.net, work phone 512-972-7746; home phone 512-837-3843; cell phone 512-466-5769
Flag Wrangler: TBD

Come out and take this opportunity to celebrate with SSgt Petty's family and friends his brave service and safe return.

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The PGR has once again been invited by the people of Llano to participate in the county Armed Forces Day Rally on May 14th. This is an annual event which honors all active duty service men and women from Llano County.

Date/Time: Friday, 14 May 2010.

Staging Location: Llano Junior High School parking lot, 400 Hwy 71 East, Llano, TX. GPS cooridnates N 30deg 44’ 11.96” & W 98deg 40’ 22.29”. Map link: tinyurl.com/LlanoJrHS

Timeline:
10:00 – 10:45 am staging
10:45 am briefing
10:50 am KSU for the short ride to the Llano County Courthouse.

Wx: Weather conditions to be annouced during the briefing. Bring your own drinking water, sunscreen recommended.

Notes: We will form a flag line at the start of the ceremony at 11:00 am. It should last about an hour or so. After the ceremony we have been invited to have lunch and visit with others in attendance.

At this time there are 80 plus service men and women who attended school in Llano and many more who have a connection to Llano via family here etc. Since August of 2007 there have been 3 KIA’s from this immediate area.

Ride Captain: John (TC) Wiley, johnboy@281.com, 325-423-2220
Flag Wrangler: TBD

We attended this event last year. It was a real nice tribute to our men and women in uniform and a good turn out of the Patriot Guard.

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Per Steve Von Roeder:

Also, please remind everyone participating in the caravan and/or entering onto school property that Texas State Law prohibits bringing firearms, knives, alcohol, tobacco and illegal substances onto public school property. This applies to both this site and the Lake Travis High School site at the other end of the caravan route.

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I will be extremely honored and humbled to attend this mission. Got some buddies on that wall that I need to say hi to.
Barry Guthrie
RVN 1967 1968

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