[markwells]

Heartfelt thanks to all who showed up and made the ride to accompany this American Hero. The LEO support was excellent, these folks did a remarkable job. Thanks to TC and the Cen-Tex guys who had the cemetery set up for the arrival. Our participation in this mission was as it should be; seamless.

"Not for place or for rank
Not lured by ambition
Or goaded by necessity
But in simple
Obedience to duty
As they understood it
These men suffered all
Sacrificed all
Dared all….and Died …………"

Mission Accomplished.
cannonball

[markwells]

Scooter, TC and all members (AND LEO). What an honour to be associated with such wonderful Patriots! The Patriot Guard was represented by members from Waco all the way down to Houston and everywhere in between. I can only imagine the comfort provided to Marla and her family as they laid Joshua to rest.

I have finally finished posting the pictures and clips – just wish I could have been in more than one place. I was told the ride through Dripping Springs was amazing! The procession was so long arriving at the cemetery that I had to turn my camera off mid-stream because it isn't made for movies!

Here are a bunch of other links to stories, blogs and newscasts that may interest you. In particular Robbie Cooper of the UrbanGrounds site offered a poignant description of the ride through Dripping Springs. Not to mention his site is uberkewl!

urbangrounds.com/2009/07/18/spc-joshua-farris/
http://www.news8austin.com/content/top_stories/default.asp?ArID=246903
http://www.kvue.com/news/top/stories/071709kvuefarris-bkm.4f015ed0.html
http://www.statesman.com/news/content/news/stories/local/2009/07/16/0716farris.html#commentsanchor
http://www.legacy.com/gb2/default.aspx?bookid=3625082200843

video:
http://www.kvue.com/news/local/stories/071709kvuefarris-bkm.4f015ed0.html

If anyone has pictures of Dripping Springs they want added to my PhotoBucket, feel free to email them to me!

[markwells]

Everyone has a family as long as the PGR is around. I'll be there!

[markwells]

What all of you have said X10…thanks to Terry and Steve and all others who coordinated this mission…..thanks Terry for the relief…I am getting better and soon should be able to stand for the Heros longer….

Weren't the APD and TCSO amazing…….

[markwells]

yes indeed

[markwells]

RC Steve vonRoeder received this nice thank you note from the organizers at the Texas Military Forces Museum

Steve,

Just dropping you a quick note to say THANKS again for the wonderful contribution the Patriot Guard Riders made to our Texas Pride Flag Project! It was a truly remarkable display of patriotism and love of country.

All of us here are deeply touched, and I know the same will be true for the troops who receive the flags you donated or will be purchased with the $250 your group contributed to the effort. No doubt there will be a lot of debate over who gets the signed Patriot Riders’ flag when it reaches a forward operating post somewhere overseas!

I’ve attached a copy of my official letter of thanks and acknowledgment. A hard copy is in the mail to you, but I wanted to pass along an electronic copy in hopes it will make it easier for you to share the letter with the fine men and women of the Patriot Guard Riders.

Thanks for your continued support of our troops and the museum. Your leadership played a key role in making last Saturday’s significant event possible and it is deeply appreciated.

I look forward to working with all of you again!

God Bless America,

Jeffrey Wm Hunt
Director
Texas Military Forces Museum

[markwells]

Yes, hats off to the patriots of Dripping Springs, and to TC for alerting the right folks that SPC Farris and his family were coming through today. Don't mind saying my eyes weren't seeing too clearly for a bit, and I know I'm not alone.

And thanks again to APD for plowing the road through Austin for us once again.

I am humbled and thankful to be able to do what we do for our fallen and their families, and that their are so many of you who are willing to do the same.

[markwells]

I wish I could be there to make this mission. From Arkansas, may SPC Joshua R. Farris rest in peace. Prayers to his family and friends.

[markwells]

Wendy,

looking forward to meeting you.

Cannonball

[markwells]

If anyone lives between Georgetown and Smithville and you are interested, several of us are leaving my House (1 mile west of Jonah on Hwy 29) at 07:15 Saturday morning, we will travel east on Hwy 29 to Hwy 95, we will go through Taylor, through Elgin via 95 until we hit Hwy 71 in Bastrop. We will travel East on Hwy 71 to the last service station on the right (I think it is a Chevron) just before arriving in Smithville. We will top off our tanks there and should arrive at the Funeral Home at approximately 08:40 for the staging there.
You are more than welcome to join us along the route, we will not stop so be prepared to just join up as we go by.
Thanks for all you do,
Frank James
Cell 512-773-7061
Home 512-869-1874
P.S Ditto to everything TC and Mark said Wendy, and Welcome aboard !!!

[markwells]

Wendy, thanks for joining and participating. You are doing the right thing for this young man and his family.

The 1000 hrs is 10:00 am on the 24 hr clock, same way of specifying time used by military, air traffic control, etc. Avoids the whole am/pm confusion. If you've ever set your alarm clock for the wrong time of day you know what I mean.

As soon as I get the Austin staging location from the mission RC (that's Ride Captain) we'll get the details for Saturday posted.

[markwells]

God bless our fallen solider, and may his family know he did not pass in vain. He is a Hero.

I'm new to the PGR, and I'm humbled and proud to be part of such a loving, supporting group.

This will be my second mission, but the first that includes bagpipes. I know I will cry, but I'll stand tall to honor Spc Joshua Farris.

I do look forward to meeting Texas Riders. I'll be in a cage, but I'll be there.

Be safe,
Wendy

p.s. what time in "o'clock?" this 1000 hrs makes me feel simple minded??!!

[markwells]

We are working on the staging info for the mission on Saturday. Info will be available soon.

[markwells]

I'll be there on Saturday! May God bless this young man and his family. He was a true American hero!

[markwells]

Saw the article in the Statesman this am, I'll be there on Saturday.

[Author]

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