Gary and I would like to thank all of you who were involved with the Purple Heart Ceremony Sept 21. We were very happy with all aspects of how it turned out and we thank you all for your help. You are our heroes….those who helped clean and prepare the park for visitors, set up the ceremony and take down, program participants and speakers and our supporters who attended. We are grateful for all that you do time and time again. Hopefully the publicity will help to bring in more visitors, support for the park and help for maintaining it. We would like to host more events like this and I am sure the Haddad family will forever cherish the memories made that day. The work done by the Charlie Company Marines from Plainville was outstanding and we would like to thank every one of them for all they did! We regret not having more time to speak with each of you longer but know that we appreciate all of you. In case you are interested, we have posted links to the news videos and newspaper articles on our website EVENTS page. http://www.sosiwojima.com/​4_Events.html Please keep up to date with our activities and what is going on at the park by visiting the Iwo Jima Survivors website and Facebook page. Sincerely, Gary Roy and Marianne Mihalyo www.SOSIwoJima.com ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Dear Bob Stone, I just wanted to let you know how grateful we are for your Guard Riders who attended the Iwo Jima Survivor Purple Heart Ceremony 9/21. It was really nice and the flag line they made added a special touch to the event making the Survivors and other veterans feel appreciated. I wanted to post these photos for you but didn’t know how. Maybe you can add them to the appropriate place on your Facebook site and thank all your members for us. Sincerely, Marianne Mihalyo Support Our Survivors of Iwo Jima

Orginially posted by Connecticut Patriot Guard Gratitude Expressions on Sunday, January 8, 2012 at 8:50pm Dear Gregg THANK YOU for sending the Patriot Guard to serve at ST Joseph’s Church and at ST Peter’s Cemetery. Having them there was especially nice . My Father in Law James Negri (Army/Korea) would have been proud to have them at his Funeral Services and we the family are very grateful. Best Regards Charlie & Janine (Negri) Toussaint

From the Family of Tex Dettmann via George Gilkenson – son-in-law. Orginially posted by Connecticut Patriot Guard Gratitude Expressions on Sunday, October 9, 2011 at 7:23pm . George Gilkenson From the family of Tex Dettmann, thank you for your group being there yesterday to help lay to rest our dear father.. Pearl Harbor Survivor, hero, and great American and father and friend.. God bless all of you.

Orginially posted by Connecticut Patriot Guard Gratitude Expressions on Monday, September 5, 2011 at 6:27pm Sent: Monday, August 22, 2011 6:50 PM To: Bob Stone Subject: A sincere Thank You PGR et. al. I wish to personally thank you for the outstanding display and service ceremony for Glenn Mudd, Westbrook. CT. I would have to say that after your assistance during a difficult time, I would like the same privilege extended to my immediate family upon my demise. I think there is nothing that speaks louder than a ceremony for deceased military personnel by veterans. We may have our branch differences to defend from one another but to come together as comrades-in-arms during a time of bereavement sends a loud and clear message to all. May God Bless and enrich each of you for blessing and enriching our memories of our fallen servicemember Shalom and Amen. Sincerely, Jeff Koons SSG, USA (Retired)

Orginially posted by by Connecticut Patriot Guard Gratitude Expressions on Monday, September 5, 2011 at 6:20pm . I am a resident of Naugatuck CT. Today, by sheer chance, I happened to drive past the Alderson Funeral Home just at the hour your members were assembled outside to honor the fallen hero inside. I had not yet opened the local paper, so I had no idea who was being honored or why you were there, but it was indeed an awesome and stirring sight. The bikes lined up, the flags with their various sentiments, the respect that was so obvious – it was all very inspiring. My daughter asked me what was happening; she assumed the funeral was for a motorcycle enthusiast. I explained that I wasn’t sure but I thought it was because the funeral was for a veteran and the motorcycle clubs were there to protect the family from protestors (in my opinion, despicable protestors). It was quite a teaching moment, as we discussed the issue as we drove along. Upon reading the local paper, the Citizen’s News, this afternoon, I now know Matthew Tooker’s story, and that indeed, the flags and motorcycles we saw were from your organization. I took a moment to read your mission on your website – to honor and respect our veterans and to peacefully protect their families from unwanted intrusions — and I wanted to send you this SINCERE THANK YOU for what your organization does. Sincerely, Melinda

Orginially posted by Connecticut Patriot Guard Gratitude Expressions on Monday, September 5, 2011 at 6:15pm . From: Andrea Pavia Garrison Hi, I was a proud friend of CPO Brian Bill and I have to tell you that I was so moved when my husband and I pulled up to St. Cecilia’s Church for his funeral, we were simply moved to tears by you support and devotion to the family, friends and memory of CPO Brian R. Bill. I am so grateful to you all who were there (both physically and mentally). There should be more good, kind-hearted people like yourselves who make the choice to just do what’s good and right. God Bless you all!!! My most sincere Thanks, Andrea Pavia Garrison (Stamford, CT).

Orginially posted by Connecticut Patriot Guard Gratitude Expressions on Saturday, July 30, 2011 at 4:54pm Fron Michelle Turner re: Nathan Turner Thank you to all who were able to attend the service for my brother Nathan. Your presence meant a great deal to my family and his fellow soldiers. Nathan made every one around him a better person and he would have been honored that you were there.

Orginially posted by Connecticut Patriot Guard Gratitude Expressions on Monday, July 25, 2011 at 6:24pm Bob, just wanted to express my heartfelt gratitude for the honor you showed my brother, Paul Protzenko last week. I am his oldest sister and feel such a sense of loss with this horrible tragedy. It was very impressive to see all of you there to honor him. My deepest thanks, sincerely, Colette (Protzenko) Sparks, Bailey Island, ME.

Orginially by Connecticut Patriot Guard Gratitude Expressions on Wednesday, July 13, 2011 at 5:58pm Dear Bob, and fellow Patriot Guard Riders, We have just returned from my step-fathers service, and I had to write you. My family was so impressed with the Patriot Guard today. They knew that I had been involved with missions, but never understood why strangers would attend a funeral for fallen servicemen until today. I can not tell you how many drove up to St. Lawrence Church with tears of joy in their eyes. My step-father was proud to have served his country during WW II, and anyone who truly knew him knew that his Navy past was one of his most honored memories. On behalf of my mother, his children, and step children, grand children, and great grand children, I must thank the Patriot Guard for their steadfast tribute to these men and women of our Nations military. Being on the opposite side of the honor guard was different for me, and I now know the honor felt by the service we as members provide. Today the Patriot Guard touched four generations. I pray the the youngest of his great grand children remember this day for the rest of their lives. It has always been an honor to stand for those who stood for other. Today I was honored to call all the Patriot Guard my friends, brothers and sisters. I have always said Bob that you do more than you realize. Today you helped 4 generation see why we should always honor our military veterans. I thank you for that. Respectfully Pete Wood

Orginially by Connecticut Patriot Guard Gratitude Expressions on Sunday, June 26, 2011 at 2:41pm . My sister and I were honored to have all of you there for our Dad’s memorial service. Thank you and please convey our thanks to all who were there. Pam Cutrone