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Thank you from Ken Burrows

December 13, 2012 by

Gregg:

I’d like to take the opportunity to say “Thank You!” to all of the PGR members that were in attendance for my father’s funeral on Nov 15th, in Montville at the Woyasz & Son Funeral Home.  Being a PGR member, I’ve seen the impact the group on people when they see the flag line for the first time and what an impact it makes on the family & friends of the deceased.  It was no different for my family, everyone was very touched by their (PGR) presence both at the funeral home and at the Cemetery.  The escort from my parents home to the funeral home and to the cemetery is something I will not soon forget…especially since both my brother & I led the procession on our bikes.   I’m sure it made my father proud to be honored as he was that day. 

The other family members had not had the chance to experience the PGR’s presence before, and I believe they were all extremely impressed with the results.  I caught some flack from my sister when I mentioned that it was my wish to have the PGR show up, but she actually shook the hand of each of the members (then thanked me afterward), as did my brother-in-law & my wife when they saw me doing so.   My mother was also deeply moved (as we all were) when Kevin showed up at the house a few days later and presented her with a plaque from the PGR.

It was my dad’s wish to be buried in his Navy dress blues uniform.  When the uniform was removed from the closet to be cleaned, it was discovered that the tie was missing; and there was a mad scramble to find one (at such short notice).  When I left the funeral home (after making arrangements for the calling hours, memorial service, etc.) I headed to Groton and the home of the Sub Vet’s.  When I told the bartender (Tom) of our dilemma, he thought for a few minutes, then said he believed he had one at home & for me to return in the morning and pick it up.  When I arrived, Tom was not there but, when I told the woman behind the bar (Karen) my name, she immediately said, and I have a tie for you.  When she handed me a tie in a plastic bag, I thanked her and asked how much I owed Tom for the tie, her words were…”Nothing…your family is a part of our family; and we do what we can to help out our family whenever there is a need!”  I was at a loss for words but, I managed to get out “Thank you all very much!” and went on my way.

Ken Burrows, PGR member

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Thank you regarding July 7th Welcome Home

July 11, 2012 by

Subject: July 7th Welcome Home

Hello Gregg and all the Patriot Guard.

Wanted to send a sincere and heartfelt thank you to the Jack Casey and the guys that showed up for our event.

The Patriot Guard has a way of turning a gathering into and event.

Andrea was so thankful and surprised to see us all standing there with the RED WHITE AND BLUE waving for her arrival. She was very please, so in turn I was also.

Thank you all VERY MUCH!

Chris Carnelli

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Message of appreciation – Welcome Home Soldier, SGT Matthew Prue

July 11, 2012 by

July 4, 2012

To:  Connecticut Patriot Guard

From the bottom of my heart I cannot say thank you enough.

What a wonderful group of caring people you are.

From the first point of contact with your group, my experience has been absolutely positive.

Each and every one of you are a true inspiration to all.

Your presence made the event of welcoming our son SGT Matthew Prue’s Welcome Home from Afghanistan an outstanding experience.

You will all hold a special place in the hearts of the Mosig/Prue family eternally.

Thank you,

Shelley Mosig

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Thank you, RE: John Eikler Mission

June 4, 2012 by

Dear Patriot Guard Members

I would like to thank you for honoring my husband on April 12, 2012.  He was John R. Eikler.
I want to thank  the 11 men and 1 woman for giving all of our family support.
When we were all at the Cemetery in Ellington, it was unreal when the breeze picked up and the flags really started to move.  John was there and he was giving his approval of all of you being there.
I cant thank you enough.
Sincerely

Alice D. Eikler

Mission Link: Eikler

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Re: Mission of LT. Col Thomas Budrejko

May 28, 2012 by
From Mary Budrejko, Mother of Lt Col Thomas Budrejko….
 It was an honor to have you attend our son, Lt Col Thomas Budrejko’s, funeral.  Your being there meant a lot to our family and the Marine Corps.  We wish to express our sincere gratitude for providing the honor tribute at the funeral Mass and at the Cemetery with your flag holders everywhere.  The motorcycle honor guard and providing the possible needed security at the Sacred Heart Cemetery will always be remembered.  Thank you for being with us during this difficult time.  Your presence helped lift our spirits and lighten our burden.
Warmest Regards,
Mary Budrejko
LT Col Budrejko’s mission was held March 17, 2012

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PGR – Thank You re: Koonz Mission

May 22, 2012 by

From Jay Koonz – Patriot Guard Rider

I would like to personally thank all the CT PGR members that showed up for my father’s service on May 18th.

I know a bunch of you showed up specifically because it was my relative, and I am especially grateful for those efforts. The whole family was impressed. One sister told me she almost cried when she saw all the flags, and another told me it lent a sense of dignity to the service. One of my brothers questioned me at length about the PGR, and he walked the flag line afterwards thanking everyone.

I also heard multiple comments from others about how impressed they were. I talked to the woman from the Funeral Home, explaining how the PGR works, and she also was very impressed with us and what we do. It’s been a rough couple months for me, with my best riding buddy dying in a motorcycle accident a few months ago. Many of you stood the line at his service also, and I thank you all for that also. Once again, I’d like to thank all my friends that came out, you made the day a little easier for a lot of people.

Respectfully,

Jay Koonz

Ural Rider

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From the State Captain RE: Chili Cookoff

April 30, 2012 by

April 30, 2012

Patriot Guard and Associates

What a terrific weekend for our PGR fundraiser at the Chili-Cook off in Somers. Braving some strong wind gusts, we had a great turnout and fun was had by all. I would like to thank all the PGR members that took the time to come out and volunteer at this outstanding event. Whether you made it for a few hours or were able to make the entire time, I thank you ever so much for your time and energy to make this a successful event. I would like to also personally thank both Mike Freedman for leading the overall weekend and for Kevin Wakely for his leadership organizing the PGR volunteers. Once again, I appreciate all you did helping us to help others!

Many of you have asked about events/parades for Memorial Day. To date, I have had 13 parade requests and 8 Flag Line requests for ceremonies. As you can imagine, our participation at all of this is an impossibility and to choose one over another, is setting a precedent that I am not comfortable doing. With that said, you are more than welcome to attend any parade or event that you would like on your own. I do know some members have traditionally had some groups attend some parades such as Old Saybrook or Ansonia and you are certainly more than welcome to do that and network with other members. Please keep in mind this is strictly an attend on your own and not a special mission nor sponsored by PGR of CT.

We do have quite a few Special Missions coming up. To give you as much advanced notice, we will post these on the calendar feature on our website, www.ctpatriotguard.org, as soon as I get them but not send out the actual mission until a week or so ahead. Past practice has shown that if we send missions out too early, folks may forget or have it get lost in their email so if you have not done so already, please take the time to look at the CT website.

Several you have inquired about brochures, how people can join, or have had friends and family members ask how they can request a mission. All the information contained in our brochures, joining PGR and to request a mission with contact information, is all contained in a very easily viewed format on our website. Please direct others to our site for all of the pertinent information about PGR of CT.

I will end as I began…with a thank you for all you do for others. We continue to have many missions per week that include doubles on some days and with a great deal of traveling from one end of the state to another. What you do makes a huge difference to Veterans, 1st Responders and their families.

If you ever doubt the impact we have have for the services we provide, please see the quote below from our own PGR member, Freedom Rider USA and Police Officer Dave Anderson who sent me the following note after the burial of PGR member Ssgt/CPO Tim Comfort, who was a close friend of Dave’s.

From Dave Anderson:
“Gregg: I know I have said it before but thanks again so much for PGR at Tim’s Funeral. I got to see 1st hand from the opposite side of the Flag Line how just how much of an impact that Flag Line has. It was overwhelming to come out of the church after the service and see all the Flags lined up. What an honor and thanks for what you do”

With thanks,

Gregg “Flag 7” Barratt
Patriot Guard Riders
Connecticut State Captain
www.ctpatriotguard.org
greggbarratt@gmail.com
203-921-8255

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Thank you for Marine’s Welcome Home

April 23, 2012 by

Dear Gregg:  

Thank you so much for making the homecoming for our Marines based out of New Haven, CT such a touching event.What a show of support for these heroes.  

 While waiting for the Marines to arrive at the center, I had the opportunity to speak to some of your members.  I was quite impressed, what a great group!  In fact, my sister, Arleen can’t wait to retire to be part of such a supportive group. On behalf of my son, Jeff Fonti and I and the entire New Haven Reserve Center, Thank you again for making our Marines so happy!

Fondly,
Maureen Glavin

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Thank you re: Cromwell’s Welcome Home Ceremony

April 23, 2012 by

From: Cecile Fazio
Date: Sat, Mar 31, 2012 at 8:00 AM
Subject: Cromwell’s Welcome Home Ceremony
To: gregg barratt

Gregg,

Please let Bobby Easton and everyone know how much I appreciate that they came out to our local ceremony last evening. I can’t thank them enough and I know our Veterans and townspeople appreciated it!

Please check out the link in our local paper this morning!

http://www.middletownpress.com/articles/2012/03/31/news/doc4f7658dabad2b106971697.txt

Again, many thanks!

Cecile

Cecile Fazio
Proud Army Mom
Chair-Veterans Affairs Commission, Town of Cromwell CT

President-Middlesex County Blue Star Mothers, CT Chapter 3

Blue to Gold Liason
Scholarship Chair
P.O. Box 52
Cromwell, CT 06416
Meetings held:
Third Wednesday of each month, except for July and December
Cromwell Town Hall
41 West Street (Lower Level Activity Room)
Cromwell, CT 06416
www.middlesexcountybluestarmothers.org
run.middlesexcountybluestarmothers.org
Blue Star Mothers Of America, Inc – www.bluestarmothers.org
American Warrior – www.americanwarrior.us
Patriot Guard Riders – www.patriotguard.org
VFW Ladies Aux. Post 2138

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Thank you re: SGT Dennis Weichel

April 2, 2012 by

Thanks to All the CT PGR members who attended RI Honor Mission funeral in North Providence and Exeter, RI for SGT. Dennis Weichel, US Army OEF Veteran. 

CT PGR members attended with our Fellow RI & Massachusetts PGR Brothers & Sisters.

It was an HONOR & PRIVILEGE to Stand with you for Our Hero.

Rest Easy Soldier, Thank You For Your Service to Our Nation and For Our Freedoms

With Gratitude,

Jack Casey

Senior Ride Captain

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