Words of Appreciation

On May 28, 2022, a number of our members stood in honor at the annual Gold Star Tribute event. Following is a note of thanks from the organizer of that event:

Dear Jim and the PGRs,

I am so sorry to take so long to check back in with you after the Tribute. I am dealing with some family medical issues (with the older sister I care for) and that has really slowed me down.

So this is to tell you all THANK YOU for again bringing respect and honor to the Tribute and the 54 Gold Star families through your flag line. I wish I had some new words to express my gratitude, but after all these years, all I have is Thank you!

Usually, I write to any new volunteers or participants first because I feel they need that feed back. So I neglect those of you who are so dedicated and steady year after year. I often call people "Friends of the Tribute" but I have decided that we also have a "Tribute Family" and you all are most definitely a part of that very special family! I value any input, suggestions or advice you may want to share any time!

I think everything went well that day. I hope you liked the new venue. I heard all good things about it, so I hope to hold the 2023 ceremony there, but inside (don't want to trust the weather again like we had to in the old days!).

I'm wishing you all a safe, happy summer!

with gratitude, Louetta

I recently received the following anonymous communication:

Thank you for all you do! This group attended my step fathers funeral last year and made it feel like our family and my step father had all of the support we needed during that time. Thank you for everything.

For those who did not have the good fortune to meet Texas PGR members Sue and Less Young, they were pulling a 42 foot, fifth wheel from Utah to Minnesota. Their International Harvester truck had a major engine failure in eastern Utah. They have been in the Denver Metro area for the past three weeks while waiting for the repair to be completed. We were honored to be joined by them at several missions while they were here.

Jim and Wanda,

Good news: truck work is completed and we hit the road tomorrow morning!

So before we leave, Les and I just wanted to express our heartfelt gratitude to the Colorado Patriot Guard Riders for all you do to support military members and their families.

Most especially, we thank you and the members of CPGR for being so warm and welcoming. You made us feel like family, all the way to Gary and Ruth's most generous offer to stay with them. Though we would never impose, we were so touched by the kindness offered.

Behind every cloud is a silver lining, and if there is anything good about breaking down in Aurora, CO, it is meeting you all and having the privilege to stand/serve with you on missions.

Lastly, thank you for the coins and pins. We will display them proudly.

Ride safely and best wishes!

Sue and Les Young

PS: thank you for finding my wallet--what a nightmare that would have been!

Hello AWESOME VOLUNTEERS,

Just a recap of this years placements so you can see what an incredible thing you did. We placed at 11 National Cemeteries in 3 states. We had 16,824 REGISTERED VOLUNTEERS who placed in excess of 572,000 American Flags.

That is something each of you should be proud of. Each of the flags you placed honored a veteran that served this great country. Some in peacetime and some in war time. Each was away from their friends and family possibly for long stretches' during their service and many paid the ultimate sacrifice. ALL took on this commitment to help preserve and defend the rights we have in a FREE SOCIETY.

Thank you all for your commitment to honor all of them for this years Memorial Day.

See you again in 2023,

Morrison Fussner

Founder/President

Flags For Fallen Vets, Inc.

www.flagsforfallenvets.com

Third Generation Marine

On May 20, 2022 the Colorado PGR stood in honor at the Interment Service for Douglas Gawadzinski, the brother-in-law of Kathy "Rat" Goldstein. We received the following note of thanks from Rat and her husband Charles:

Thank you for your service, sacrifice and for all you do to honor our Veterans. We are most grateful.

The family of Douglas Gawadzinski, US Coast Guard

On Monday, May 30th, the PGR supported the Memorial Day Commemoration at Pikes Peak National Cemetery. The following was received via email from the Cemetery Director, Skyler Holmes:

"I would like to thank all of you for doing your parts to make the ceremony such a perfect event. Everything went exactly as planned and we finished ahead of schedule, which allows us to plan in a couple more things for next year.

We were able to convey messages of grief, loss, comfort, love, support, honor and respect. We were also able to reflect on the price of freedom and what it means to be part of the collective group that have served or are serving our country. We presented our message to our community then asked them to reflect on those who served before them on the Veterans Legacy Memorial website, ensuring that that Veteran’s legacy lives on. Our message was demonstrated at the flag assembly area and conveyed through media, who shared it to our local community reaching many who were unable to attend.

Each person that was involved played a critical part in this intricate demonstration and we couldn’t have done it without your help! However, I did not include mention of the Young Marines during the ceremony and I would like to apologize and thank them for their outstanding job! The Young Marines arrived prepared to hold a flag line with the Patriot Guard Riders. However, an hour before the show, I requested them to jump in and fill the Color Guard role, which they were completely unprepared for. With a few minutes of practice this team was able to pull off a well-polished Color Guard and flag line. Thank you to the Young Marines!

Memorial Day may have lost its true meaning for a few, but for those that were touched by our collective message, the true meaning of Memorial Day lives on.

Thank you all for taking part in the ceremony and for helping us show our support for those veterans who passed before us."

Skyler Holmes

Cemetery Director

Pikes Peak/Fort Lyon National Cemeteries

On January 26, 2022, the Colorado PGR stood in honor, at Fort Logan, for US Army Veteran, Walter K. Schulz. We received a generous donation and the following note of thanks:

Please accept this donation on behalf of Walter Kenneth Schulz who was laid to rest on January 26, 2022. Thank you for all you did. The ceremony was beautiful.

Sincerely,

Schulz Family

The Colorado PGR attended the Service for "Lee" Frey, yesterday. Following are words of appreciation from his family. Mr. Frey was a 97 year old WWII Veteran.

Dear Jim,

On behalf of the Elmer "Lee" L. Frey's family, the Schmidt's, Narro's, Stack's, and Deines's, words cannot express our appreciation to the members of the Colorado Patriot Guard Riders, for their comments and tribute at the Internment Service on February 15, 2022 at Fort Logan. Your thoughtfulness and care during this difficult time meant so much to us, especially to our Mom, Karen.

Thank you to all the Patriot Guard Riders for your years of service and sacrifice, we appreciate the freedoms we have because of you.

Debbie Frey Schmidt and Bobby Frey

Don and Carol Heer, of Heer Mortuaries, are retiring after over 50 year of serving Brush, Fort Morgan and the surrounding communities. I wrote a note of congratulations and thanks. Following is the response:

Thanks Jim. Very kind words and I sincerely appreciate the patriot guard and ALL that organization does. I officially retired from the Mortuary on December 10th. We're trying to finalize cases that we were entrusted with prior to December 20th. Thanks again, for all of what the Patriot Guard have done and continue to do to honor veterans.

Don Heer

Received the following in the mail today:

Thank you for the recent contribution on behalf of the Colorado Patriot Guard Riders. I offer my gratitude for the generous donation of gift cards and toys, valued at $7500. Your donation supports the ongoing programming needs for our Families of the Fallen and allowed our Survivor Outreach Services Program to extend their support for our Families of the Fallen through the holidays.

Your generosity makes a huge impact on our community at Fort Carson. This gift promotes the health, comfort and morale of our team on the Mountain Post. Thanks again for your continued support of our Soldiers and their Families.

Nathan R. Springer

Colonel, U.S. Army

Garrison Commander

The letter also contained the following handwritten note from the Colonel:

"Thank you so much for your donation that directly supported our Families through our Survivor Outreach Program!"

Some of our members attended the Celebration of Life for PGR member, Don Kammerzell on Saturday, January 22, 2022. The following words of appreciation were sent by his wife:

Zach and I would like to thank you for coming to Don's celebration. It warmed our hearts to meet you, and we certainly appreciate your kind words. Don thoroughly enjoyed the time he spent with all of you and was honored to be part of the group. It always filled his heart with joy when he participated in a service. Thank you as well for the nice card and medallion.

I'm going to put it with his motorcycle jacket.

Maybe we can chat this spring and you can give me some ideas on how to sell his bike. That's going to be a tough one.... we had a lot of good memories with it.

Fondly,

Debbie K.

On May 7, 2021 the Colorado PGR stood in honor at the Funeral Service for Lee W. O'Neil in Fort Moran. The following note of appreciation was in our PO Box, today:

Dear Patriot Riders of Colorado,

Thank you for your support through a very difficult time. We very much appreciate what your organization does. Our father was definitely a patriot.

Brave on!

Daughters Erin and Erica

Members of the Colorado PGR have tended to the Fort Logan grave of a Veteran. The following note of thanks, along with a generous donation was recently received:

Thank you and all of your members for always remembering Charles Bennett during many Holidays (Memorial Day, Wreaths Across America, etc.). You guys are the best.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year.

Joe R. Homsey, Jr.

We recently received the following note of thanks along with a generous donation:

Colorado Patriot Guard Riders,

Our family was deeply honored that many of your members took time from their busy days to ride during our son's memorial service in Colorado Springs. He was Retired USAF Major George E. Smith.

Thank you.

Harlen Smith

Retired USAF Lt. Colonel

On Sunday, December 12, 2021, the Colorado PGR was honored to stand at the Interment Service for Philip Sturdevant at Chapel Hill Cemetery. We received the following note of thanks from his daughter.

Please pass along my and my family's gratitude to all the Patriot Guard Riders of Colorado who stood in honor at my Father's, Philip Eugene Sturdevant. Memorial Service on December 12, 2021 at the Chapel Hill Mortuary. My Dad loved this country and the comradery of his fellow soldiers, both during his service and as a retiree. He and our family were blessed to have you all at his service.

Thank You all for your service and your faithful mission of support to our fallen heroes. It is a difficult mission but one which shows both the strength and the heart of the men and women who serve in our Armed Forces. From my family to each of you and your families, I wish you a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. God Bless You all and protect that which you have each fought so hard to protect and sustain, our democracy. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS YOU! Lynn Sturdevant

On September 18, 2021, the Colorado PGR participated in the Cherry Creek School District Veterans and Military Appreciation event. We received the following note of thanks from CCSD Staff:

Thanks for all that you do. We truly appreciate your time and dedication to CCSD.

On November 19, 2021, the Colorado PGR was invited to the 100th Birthday celebration for Major David Howie, US Army (Retired) and WWII Veteran. Following is a note of thanks that was sent by his daughter.

Thank you all so very much for coming out and supporting my dad on his 100th birthday! It was a much bigger event than I could have even anticipated. My family and I appreciated all of the presentations, and my dad was very touched by your commitment to an old vet! He is still talking about it and will be for a long time.

I know I have duplicated some people with my thank you greetings, but that is okay: you all deserve it many times over.

Happy Thanksgiving to you and your families!

Fondly,

Dianne Howie

Our members were honored to participate in a number of Veterans Day events on November 11, 2021. It was inspiring to see so many young people involved in most of these events.

We had 18 participants at the Veterans Day Ceremony in Morrison and were honored to be joined by Mike Anderson's son, Tony, and four of his fellow Denver Police Department, Motor Officers.

The Annual Morrison Ceremony included participation from some of the Fifth Grade Students who are attending Red Rocks Elementary School. These students gave notes of thanks to a number of our PGR Military Veterans. Following are excerpts from six of those notes.

These notes of appreciation were written by Ava, Colton, Henry, Liam, Malia and Miles.

They were proud of the fact that they did the Pledge of Allegiance, everyday.

Thanks for the courage to fight for our Country and the courage to serve and sacrifice. They very much appreciate our veterans.

One student offered a quote from Abraham Lincoln: "I like to see a man who is proud of the place in which he lives and I like to see a man live so that place will be proud of him".

Appreciate those who fought for our freedoms and rights. May GOD bless and protect all of our active duty military and veterans. You risk it all for our freedoms.

Sorrow expressed for anyone who lost a family member or friend while they were serving.

Thanks offered for those who left their families and friends while putting their lives on the line.

Your service was very important. Appreciation for your courage that helped make our Country what it is, today.

On October 14, 2021, the Colorado PGR was honored to stand at the Interment Service for Navy Veteran, Pauline Klinger, at Fort Logan National Cemetery. We received the following note of thanks from her son and PGR member, Jason.

Thank you so much for being a part of my Mom's, Polly Klinger, Interment Service at Fort Logan. I know that my time with the Riders has been short, with only a few Missions under my belt, but, my Mom loved the fact that I was part of this group. It was such an honor to have my brothers and sisters there for my Mom and to meet my Son that is in the Army.

Thank you all again for the generosity and support you have given!

Your CPGR Brother

Jason "Max" Klinger

This morning, I spoke with the widow of a Vietnam era, Army Veteran. He was not treated well or welcomed home at the time of his Service. She thanked our members for what you do, volunteering your time, to help provide the honor that was lacking, 55 years ago. She said that our group had a "Blessed Calling".