As 2022 nears its end, I wanted to take the opportunity to thank our members for all of your time and efforts over this past year. With gas prices what they are and have been this past year, I know a lot of our members incurred some significant expense to continue supporting these families and honoring the service of our fallen veterans and 1st responders. I know we still have several missions yet to be completed this year also.
Across Colorado, the PGR has participated in over 450 missions this past year alone. That is a pretty impressive number. I hope you all agree, the appreciation expressed by many of the families during their time of loss makes what we primarily do very much worth it.
I believe what we do is important. Sometimes it may not seem like much, but while grief is a big thing, the healing from that grief is many, many small things, and we are one of those small things. I hope you all feel as honored as I do to stand the Flagline, honoring the fallen, and supporting the surviving.
In addition to the funerals, memorials, dignified transfers, and similar missions, let’s not forget the uplifting missions we do in support of Veterans, Gold Star Families, and 1st Responders. Supporting Honor Flights, Home Dedications, Memorial Day and Veteran’s Day ceremonies, Back the Blue events, Veteran’s Appreciation Events, Welcome Home Ceremonies, Wreaths Across America, Snowball Express, and our own Toy Run for families of the fallen. I’m sure I’m missing something here too. All of these events make a positive impact to the community our group’s mission is to honor.
To all our active members, I thank you again for your continued support. We obviously could not exist without you. I know sometimes our missions come in waves, and it feels hard to keep up. Be proud of what you are doing, and I hope you’re all able to continue doing it well into the future. Oh, and invite your friends! Tell people who we are, what we do, and most importantly, why YOU do it. That is our best way to attract new members.
To our members who have been unable to attend, or felt the need to step away for whatever reason, you are missed. Thank you all for what you have done to help make the Colorado PGR what it is. That said, we could use your help and would love to see you back, if you are able. As stated on the National PGR page, and I’ll reiterate it here, our only requirement is Respect. I believe this wholeheartedly. When I joined the PGR 10+ years ago, it was common to have large showings at most missions. Sometimes, now, we stand missions with 2 or 3. Not always, and even with a small number, what we do is recognized and appreciated by the families. We have 472 members currently registered on our coloradopgr.org website. I will ask, if you’re able, try and attend again when it can fit your schedule. Since I took the position of State Captain on the 1st of October, many of you have reached out to me, and I’ll encourage any of you who may have any concerns or questions, please talk to your Assistant State Captain, or call me direct if you prefer, 719-466-3215. If I’m unable to answer, know I will return your call if you leave a message.
To all, Happy Hannukah, Merry Christmas, Happy Kwanzaa, and Happy Holiday’s in general. May 2023 bring us all good health and happiness. Stay warm, stay safe, and once again, Thank You. See you on the Flagline.
‘Damnit Jim’ Balcerovich
State Captain
