I am attaching words of appreciation that have been recently received. Once again, reinforcing the importance of our words and actions.
What amazing people the PGR are! I was just checking to see if the mission was posted and it has been. I looked at the comments...so touching and kind! Choked me up! Thanks again for your help! We recently provided a bit of financial help for a young Fort Carson Soldier so that he could get his motorcycle back on the road as his primary mode of transportation. I have heard from him a couple of times, most recently after he received our check. He said he would get his bike back on the road within the next day or two. He may need to rent a trailer and get a few friends to help get his bike to the shop. He said that whatever money might be leftover, he would return to us. He added that it was very gracious of our members to help him out. He appreciates our support and our kind hearts. He ended his call by asking us to be safe out there. I would like to add a big "thank you" to Colorado PGR member Albert, from Lamar. He found this young Soldier, Tyler, broken down, at the side of the road. Albert drove home and hooked up his trailer and took Tyler and his motorcycle to Colorado Springs.
Greetings, Everyone!
Reaching out to offer my deepest and most sincere thanks for everything each and all of you did to help make the recent dedication of Lincoln Veterans Memorial Park such a resounding success! While not a particularly “balmy” morning, the sun was out/skies were blue and, my opinion, the entire celebration could not have gone better.
The comments from General Clellan and Commander Rimpley were stellar!
The Junior Color Guard from South High was spot on, both in the Presentation and Retirement of the Colors.
Major Sgt. Vanholtum’s rendition of the National Anthem was beyond
inspirational and the Young Marines’ leading of the National Anthem was truly touching.
The tolling of the Liberty Bell was so deeply moving
The presence of the Patriot Guard Riders was so gratifying
Sgt. Tim Drago’s sincere, always kind and selfless comments were a true highlight.
The new plaques on either side of the CVM are spectacular
The Park looked 100% stellar in terms of being fully “buffed and shined” for the morning.
The prep and organization of Fastlane Productions was equally stellar….
Dave Townsend’s photos of the ceremony (NOTE: please note a related “PS” below…) were, as you’ll witness, amazing!!
Louetta, without you…… Just Sayin’…...
And THEN, there was the FLYOVER!!
Each of you on this email are key components/factors/reasons behind all of these successes. To tell you I am grateful is so understated and appreciated.
Bottom line, everyone - THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!! On behalf of all of us at both The Colorado Parks Foundation and The Greenway Foundation, our gratitude is without limit!
Happy Thanksgiving!!
Jeff
PS: CPF has compensated the official photographer for the dedication, davidlynnphoto.com, to where you can access the link below, using PIN 79135, to enjoy all of Dave Townsend’s amazing work, and download any and all of his photos from last Saturday at no cost to you. I’ve included Dave on this outreach in case there are any related issues.. Far better than your reaching out to me….. heh…
Thank you again, everyone. Still smiling!
davidlynnphotography.shootproof.com ENJOY THIS DAY! Jeff Shoemaker Executive Director
On October 29, 2022, the El Paso County Sheriff's Office provided support for the Annual PGR Toy Run. In thanks for that support, our organization made a donation to their department. Following is a note of thanks from them:
Dear Colorado PGR,
We wish to thank you for the donation from the Toy Run to the El Paso County Sheriff's Office made on October 29. 2022.
The El Paso County Sheriff's Office is grateful for the donation to our office, and we give our most sincere appreciation for your generosity.
Sincerely,
El Paso County Sheriff's Office
As you all know, we generally post written words of appreciation on our website. Although not written words, I would like to share several emotional verbal comments that were shared, last evening, at DIA while we were participating in the Welcome Home event for the Rocky Mountain Honor Flight Veterans.
We had an opportunity to speak with a gentlemen by the name of Minh. He is a DIA volunteer "Ambassador". He was from Vietnam and served in the South Vietnam Air Force, as a Mechanic, for six years. He stood beside us for better than an hour while waiting for the return of the Honor Flight Veterans. He immigrated to the United States in 1975 and he expressed his sincere appreciation for US Military men and women.
While we were standing in the Flag Line, another DIA employee passed by and rendered a hand salute. I asked if he had served in the Military and he said no. He was a Hispanic gentleman and said that he owed so much to this Country and to our Military for everything that they had done for his him and his family.
I believe I counted one WWII Veteran on the Honor Flight, several Korean War Veterans and a number who served in Vietnam. There were at least three women who were on the Flight. One, who was a Korean War Veteran, got extremely emotional when she walked by our Flags and stopped to thank each one of us, periodically taking her glasses off in order to wipe away tears of appreciation.
Also on this Flight was Maury, a leader of one of the Fort Logan All Veterans Honor Guard teams, and one who can be a bit of a curmudgeon. He was incredibly thankful for our PGR members who were there for the Welcome Home.
Finally, and sadly, although the Honor Flight Network has focused on WWII, Korean War and Vietnam War Veterans (in that order), they place a priority on Veterans who are battling a terminal illness. On this Flight was a 39 year old Gulf War Veteran who is in a serious fight with Brain Cancer.
This was the 41st Rocky Mountain Honor Flight and the Colorado PGR has Welcomed Home all of them. For some reason, this one had some particularly moving side stories.
Thanks to all.
Jim
Greetings from Mead!
I’d like to personally thank you for the time you spent with us back in August for The Wall That Heals. The event was extraordinary and could not have been done without each one of you! It provided our Vietnam veterans, their families and friends the opportunity to reflect and heal. The stories they shared with all of us will never be forgotten. Below are some links to the videos we produced to honor and remember.
Tribute Video: https://youtu.be/2r_-i637200
Opening Ceremony: https://youtu.be/nDfZPTXSyoM
Closing Ceremony: https://youtu.be/Sd1Q7-v5d3E
It was wonderful to see these moments a second time. Please feel free to share!
Thank you,
Lorelei Nelson
Mead Public Information Officer
On September 6, 2022 the Colorado PGR stood in honor at the Service for US Air Force Retiree, George Gerster. Following is a note of thanks that we received from his son, Richard:
Jim I would like to pass on my and my family’s sincere thanks for the wonderful tribute you payed to my father today at Fort Logan National Cemetery. Please pass on to the wonderful people that were there, today, our heartfelt thanks. My mother was very moved by your being there. Again thank you all and god bless you.
On September 6, 2022 the Colorado PGR received a very generous cash donation from VFW post 2461 Leadership. Following are the words that accompanied the donation:
Patriot Guard Riders of Colorado,
South Denver VFW Post 2461 is a nonprofit veteran's service organization composed of eligible combat veterans and military service members of the active, guard and service forces. Our mission is to serve and support our veterans and communities. We sold our facility located at 1350 South Broadway, Denver, CO and have decided to distribute most of our funds to organizations such as yours before we officially turn in our VFW Charter.
We have chosen Patriot Guard Riders of Colorado as recommended by our Post Commander, Matthew Dixon-Moran. On behalf of VFW Post 2461, please accept our donation to support your efforts and mission. We honor and appreciate the work you do to assist our veterans within your organization. Your work is invaluable and we wanted you to know you are appreciated for it.
Thank you for your service.
Matthew Dixon-Moran, Commander and Board Members
We received the following note of thanks from the daughter of the Emanuel and Evelyn Ponto. Their Service was held on September 2, 2022.
I just want to thank you, for Honoring my amazing parents, Emanuel and Evelyn Ponto (Ponto and Diane as everyone called them). My Dad was the proudest Veteran, and he had great love for the country that took him in, made him a citizen and gave him so much. The absolute care and honor given to my parents and my family yesterday was so beautiful, so moving and exactly what my dad wanted. I am forever grateful. God bless all of you, as you honor the Veterans who have served. Thank you all for your service. Everyone made one of the hardest days of my life, the most beautiful.
With love and gratitude, Sandy Ponto Roby and family
Not the normal post for this page, but I want to express my appreciation to everyone who made it today for the service of Deputy Andrew Peery. Our presents was much appreciated by the LEO community. Sheriff Bill Elder himself expressed his deep gratitude for what we do on a near daily basis, but especially today. EPCSO and CSPD Honor Guards were very grateful we were there, and for those able to stay to the end, we got a lot of siren bleeps and waves from the other LEOs, as a sign of appreciation, as the procession left.
I think we have the best group of folks around, and I think it shows. Thanks to all who made the trip from Denver and points further north, Limon, and those from ALR, HOG, and all our SoCO regulars. Great turnout, great honor to be invited. I think we done ourselves proud. Thanks again.
The Colorado PGR attended a service at Fort Logan National for Veteran and PGR member Donald Severe on July 22, 2022. Following is a note of thanks from his wife Lynne:
Jim,
I just sat down with pen in hand to write to you and your fellow patriot guard, but was unable to find a snail mail address for you or David. Today, during my search of the envelope given to me during the ceremony, I saw the thoughtful notes from the PGR members. What a lovely thing to include! Thank you to all. I also want to thank you and your fellow members, for standing for my husband, Don. The weather, the ceremony and your group, were perfect in every way. I so appreciate your availing me of the opportunity to stand with you. By the end of the ceremony, I felt complete…. That Don had been respected and honored. Mission accomplished. With the utmost appreciation, Lynne Severe
On Wednesday, July 27th, there was a Service for US Army Veteran, Roy Hyde, in Ignacio, Colorado. When our attendance was requested, I did not hold out great hope that we would be able to cover this Mission. Richard and Marie Glitz traveled eleven hours, round trip, in order to insure that the Colorado PGR was able to stand in his honor. The following note of thanks was sent by his son, Destry Hyde and his family.
I want to say thank you the two people who showed up and went above and beyond what I expected and I wanted to say thank you from the bottom of my heart.
We recently received a generous donation and the following note of thanks:
Thank you for your participation of the Patriot Guard Riders of Colorado at my husband's, CSM Jimmie Armentrout's, Interment Service at Fort Logan on June 10, 2022.
It was a very meaningful part of the Service.
Sincerely,
Anita L. Armentrout and Family
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.