Happy Thanksgiving

We all have a great deal for which to be thankful, our family, their health, our health, our friends and our PGR family, among many other things. I would like to concentrate on the Colorado PGR as we approach this Holiday. It is difficult for me to believe, but, over eight months have passed since I was named the State Captain for this amazing organization. We were sidelined for three months due to the Corona Virus shutdowns. Over the past five months of active operations, across the State of Colorado, our members have stood in honor at 240 Missions and Events. We have never had a more active period during our fifteen years of existence. This has meant so much for so many, including the families and friends of those we have been able to honor. Out of the 240 Missions and Events that I mentioned, I would like to comment on three recent ones. We stood for a 35 year old Navy Veteran who took his own life and his 31 year old widow published an obituary that was so open and honest about the cause of his death in order to reduce the stigma associated with suicide. On Monday, we had 18 members covering two services, a Navy Retiree at Fort Logan and 19 year old Marine who was exhumed in order to help determine the actual cause of his death. Yesterday, two days before this family oriented Holiday, our members stood at a Funeral Home, in Denver, for the Dignified Transfer of a 23 year old Marine who was killed in a vehicle rollover accident at Twentynine Palms, CA. What a tragic event during a period of thanks for so many. We pray that we were able to add some level of honor, comfort and support for this grieving family.

With the loss and despair that we, as an Organization, have witnessed 240 times over the past five months, it makes the importance of our Mission very clear. It also makes us thankful for what we have. A number of our members have been stricken with the Coronavirus, as have family members and friends. Thankfully, all of our members have recovered. Our Country still has a ways to go until this Virus is under control. We tend to think it impacts large population areas, but, two days ago, I had a conversation with the Deputy Coroner of Logan County, in Sterling, and he said that there have been nearly 30 Coronavirus deaths reported in that County in recent months. Logan County has a population of 23,000 residents, about the size of my small town of Louisville, Co. 

I am thankful to be associated with so many fine and honorable members who wholeheartedly support our Mission, even if they have been unable to attend due to personal medical issues or medical issues among their family members. Our active members have been tested and challenged by the sheer number of Missions, but, they continue to meet these challenges. I am thankful for our Leadership Team that helps hold us together and I thank those five members who have stepped up, in recent months, to join our Leadership Team.

Finally, there are no words to express the appreciation for those who have served and sacrificed so much for our freedom, safety and security.

Sincere thanks for your continued support. Have a healthy, happy and blessed Thanksgiving. Sincerely, Jim