Attached are words of appreciation that have been received since our current Colorado PGR website came online in March, 2020. We have received many hundreds of these heartfelt and inspirational words over our seventeen years of existence. These notes and letters continue to reinforce the importance of our Honorable and Respectful Mission.
On November 22, The Patriot Guard Riders stood in Honor for Miguel Antonio Sanchez. We received the following note of Thanks today.
Greetings:
Just a quick note to give you all our gratitude and appreciation for being at my Father, Miguel A. Sanchez's funeral ceremony at Fort Logain on 22 Nov 2023. It was such a beautiful day and service and made so much better with your organizations members. Thanks for what you do to Honor our Veterans!!
Nelida Sanchez
Edward Hennich Sanchez Gomez
Vilma P. Sanchez - Ret AF MSGT
On September 28th, and September 30th, the Patriot Guard Riders, with support from Colorado Springs Police Department, Colorado State Patrol, CVMA, VFW, and ALR, escorted the Honor Flight of Southern Colorado to and from Colorado Springs to DIA for their trip. Additionally, we had an impressive flagline set for their arrival back in Colorado Springs at the end of their journey. Received the following in the mail:
On behalf of the Board of Directors for Honor Flight of Southern Colorado, we want to share our sincere gratitude for the contribution you organization makes to us carrying out our Mission. We so appreciate you support providing an "Escort" for our Heroes. Several were overhearrd sharing their tearful cheers of joy. "This is our Parade."
It is difficult to find just the right words to express just how honored and appreciated our Veterans feel from the moment they arrive at the Send Off until they meet up with their families at the Welcome Home Event. It is truly a Community Effort.
With our sincere thanks,
Cynthia Long, Board President
Sterling Campbell, Board Vice President
On September 8th, members of the Colorado Patriot Guard Riders supported the Honor Flight of Western Nebraska, as they traveled from Chadron NE to their hotel near DIA, in preparation for their flight to Washington DC. Received the following today from a few of the veterans on the trip:
Dear Riders, It really warms our heart for having you folks support our Honor Flight. I know it takes effort to get all the coordination together. It means so much to all the veterans. Thank You again for your support.
God's Blessing,
Chris and Susan Bartel
Don Sheldon
On September 8th, members of the Colorado Patriot Guard Riders supported the Honor Flight of Western Nebraska, as they traveled from Chadron NE to their hotel near DIA, in preparation for their flight to Washington DC. Received the following email today from a couple of the veterans on the trip:
With sincere appreation and gratitude for your part in making our recent Western Nebraska Veterans Honor Flight a huge success and a very memoriable experience that we will cherish forever! Thank You Very Much for your personal escort of our Honor Flight convoy from Fort Morgan to Denver! Your heartfelt gesture made us feel like royalty!
Thanks again!
Kent Greenwait and Vicki Burbach
Gering, NE
On September 8th, members of the Colorado Patriot Guard Riders supported the Honor Flight of Western Nebraska, as they traveled from Chadron NE to their hotel near DIA, in preparation for their flight to Washington DC. Received the following from the daughter of one of the veterans:
Thank you so much for the Colorado motorcycle escort on September 8th for the Honor Flight. My father John J. Oliver had an AMAZING time!
Thank you again for your support!
Rene Keller
On August 19th, the Colorado Patriot Guard Riders assisted with traffic control and staging for the 36th annual POW/MIA Recognition Ride at Woodland Park High School. Just got off the phone with Jim Wear, the event coordinator, and he wanted to express his sincere gratitude to our group for all the support we've provided for this event this year and years past. He asked to pass along to our members how grateful they are. They estimate around 1000 bikes participated in this years ride.
On June 15th, the Patriot Guard Riders stood for Anthony Kincler at Pikes Peak National Cemetery. We received the following note and a nice donation today from Anthony's wife.
I want to sincerly thank you for your service at my husband's service on June 15th, this year. When the Army didn't show up, all you guys pitched in and the service was great. I thank you so much.
Sincerely,
Carol Kincler
While at the Fort Logan National Cemetery Visitors Center, today, I was approached by a woman who wanted to extend her sincere thanks to the Colorado Patriot Guard. She said that we stood in Honor for her son, who was Killed In Action in 2010. We stood at the Funeral Service in Evergreen and the Interment Service at Fort Logan. She became very emotional when she said how much the PGR was appreciated at that very difficult time.
Jim Herstein
On July 5, 2023, the Colorado PGR stood in honor at the Service for Dan E. Allen. We received the following note of thanks:
We wish to thank all of you who assisted with my brother's Service at Fort Logan National Cemetery on July 5th.
Many thanks from the family of US Army Sergeant Dan E. Allen
On July 10th, Western Slope Assistant State Captain Art 'Groady' Edwards, and the Western Slope contingent of the Colorado Patriot Guard Riders presented a Certificate of Appreciation and a donation to the Grand Valley Combined Honor Guard, on behalf of the Patriot Guard Riders of Colorado. The GVCHG is a non-profit organization of Veterans who provide Military Honors to Veterans laid to rest in the Western Slope region of Colorado.
We received the following letter of thanks from them today.
I take this opportunity to thank you for the gracious donation to the Grand Valley Combined Honor Guard and the Certificate of Appreciation for the efforts of the Honor Guard in support of fallen Veterans in the State of Colorado.
This recognition of the GVCHG efforts to honor Veterans is noted and greatly appreciated. Also this gift will allow the Honor Guard to continue to provide tributes of respect to all Veterans for their sacrfice and honorable service to - God, Country, Flag, and Family.
Again, on behalf of the GVCHG and the veteran's community of the Grand Valley, please accept our most sincere and humblest appreciation for this very kind and generous bequest.
Sincerly,
Lori Parrott
GVCHG, Secretary
The Colorado PGR stood in honor at the Service for O. Lee Smith, on May 6, 2023. Following are words of appreciation from his wife, Kathy:
To the Patriot Guard Riders of Colorado,
Grateful for the honor that you bestowed on my husband, O. Lee Smith, on May 6, 2023.
You touched many hearts that day, especially mine.
Kathy Smith
On June 17th, the Colorado PGR Rode and Stood in Honor for Rusty Stillman in Loveland Colorado. I received the following words of thanks today from his mother. This is why we do what we do.
Hi Jim, I wanted to reach out to the Patriot Guards, to tell you how much it meant to us assisting us to the cemetery. Thank you all, for your support, generosity, and kindness...it meant more to me than you all will ever know. Thank you doesn't begin to describe the gratitude I have for the Patriot Guards and what you did for Rusty and us, and continue to do, for all who serve.
I've been there often, I will eat lunch and bring a book there. The 4th of July, was his favorite holiday, so me, Chad, Miranda and Eric ( Rusty served with) met there and brought, chairs, pizza, sandwiches. Visited for almost 3 hours and are still in awww...Looked like many others had visited, coins, flowers, shot glass with chew etc.
So much respect for you all!
Thank you
Brenda Huggenberger, and my kids
Chad and Miranda!
On June 3rd, the Colorado PGR Stood in Honor for Raymond Schott in Sterling, CO for his funeral and interment service. I received the following note today from his daughter:
Thank you so much for what you do and for what you did at my dad's service! Your presence and presentation was truly honorable and everyone commented on how moving the ceremony was!
Thank you again! May God richly bless you all!!!
On June 23, 2023 the Colorado PGR stood in honor at the Fort Logan National Cemetery Service for US Army Veteran, Robert DeAragon. We received the following note of thanks:
Thank you, so much, for giving our father a beautiful burial. He would have loved it.
Also, thank you for all you do for our Veterans.
The DeAragon Family
Following are words of appreciation from Amber Schoenrock, Lead Coordinator for Flags For Fallen Veterans at Fort Logan National Cemetery:
106,787 flags were placed honoring 100% of Ft Logan's interred by 2,500 volunteers! Special Thank you to our Section Leaders & Area Coordinators (green shirts) who are the backbone to the success of this event! On May 28, 2023, 2500 volunteers ensured every interred veteran was honored and remembered. I'm always tearful as I express how deeply grateful and moved I am by the thousands of volunteers who show up to honor and remember our fallen Vets. So many families cannot be there and will have peace knowing their loved one is still remembered, still honored and still loved. Many families come and see that complete strangers are speaking their loved ones name and thanking them for their service and sacrifice for our country The many, many hours over the last year that our volunteers put in to make this event possible; giving their time and energy in a selfless act of honor. I want to take a moment to shine some light on and THANK the roughly 150-200 Volunteers that came to help us retrieve the 106,787 Flags that were placed. That's over 500 flags picked up by each person. These committed folks did some serious work yesterday and shouldered the responsibility we have to our flags, the cemetery and our fallen veterans by picking up 100% of flags placed. With the weather we only had about 10% of our placement volunteers. We usually have about 500-700 volunteers (still a small amount) Some groups dedicate their time to this day alone as they know it's a smaller turnout instead of placement day. I salute you all! I am hopeful that next year we have at least 50% of our placement volunteers return to help pick up. As it is said, many hands make light work. Amber Schoenrock Denver Lead Coordinator Flags For Fallen Veterans
On May 1st, the Patriot Guard Riders stood for Charles E. Criss, US Army, for his final honors at Ft. Logan. I received the following email today from Charles' daughter:
I am the daughter of Charles Criss. I requested The Patriot Guard to be at my father's interment ceremony at Fort Logan on May 1st. I wanted to say thank you to all the members that were there. My family very much appreciated how everything was done so beautifuly. Beautiful ceremony and it made us very proud. I also want to say that as a Minnesota Patriot Guard you made me proud to be a member and proud of my home state Colorado.
Thank you. Rebecca Dinnetz
On Friday, 17 March, the Patriot Guard Riders stood for Alvin Lujan, USMC, for his final honors at Ft. Logan. This morning I received the following note from his daughter:
Our family can't thank you and your group enough for helping to honor our Father yesterday. It was such a special ceremony. My Dad (and Mom) would have loved it!
Please know you and your group are endeared to our hearts. I still can't believe that complete strangers would give of their time to do what you did yesterday..... what an honor for all of us to know there are people that are so kind and respectful of our vets! Awesome!
Respectfully,
Gina Lujan- Munoz
On February 3, 2023, the Colorado Patriot Guard stood in honor at the Interment Service for Daniel Griego, at Fort Logan National Cemetery. Randy Wittmer rode the HD trike that pulls Horan and McConaty's Motorcycle Hearse. Randy then joined us in the Flag Line.
From Randy: Jim, I shared your PGR post with the funeral director for that service and here is her reply. What a simple thing we do that impacts families in such an amazing way.
"Randy, I shared your text message with the family and they were literally in tears, thank you!"
On January 23, 2023, at Fort Logan National Cemetery, the Colorado PGR stood in honor for John Arnold, US Army and Korean War Veteran. We received the following note of thanks from his daughter.
On behalf of myself and my family, I would like to thank the members of the Colorado Patriot Guard that were at my Dad's Service. A special thanks to the Ride Captain and the genuine compassion he showed to my step mom.
From me personally, keep the rubber side down, and I hope to meet you all one day!
Jennifer (Bundles) Mitchell
For the past several years, the Colorado PGR has held a Toy Run and Toy Drive, benefiting families of fallen troops through the TAPS/SOS program run out of Ft. Carson. Received the following in the mail today for our 2022 efforts:
Thank you for the recent contribution on behalf of the Patriot Guard Riders of Colorado, to our Gold Star Families. I offer my gratitude for the generous donation of toys and gift cards, valued at $7,200.
This donation supports the ongoing programming needs for our Families of the Fallen and allows our Survivor Outreach Services Program to extend their support for our Families of the Fallen through the holidays.
Donations have a positive impact on the lives of our Gold Star Families, and your generosity makes a huge impact on our community at the Mountain Post. Thanks again for your continued support.
Sincerely,
Sean M. Brown
Colonel, U.S. Army
Garrison Commander