Connecticut Patriot Guard Gratitude Expressions on Sunday, September 12, 2010 at 1:17pm

Heading South by Bubba316

I am the guy you’ve seen with the Black Harley Roadglide with Vermont plates, and the short shaggy white beard, at many missions over the last 3 years.

My first mission was Keith Heidtmans Funeral in Norwich in 2007…

My spouse has been offered a better job, and the Agency I work for has approved my request for transfer, even though to get the transfer, I had to Volunteer for the Bomb Disposal Unit…I am leaving Connecticut and moving to Tampa Florida in a couple weeks.

Before I go I want to express my appreciation for the privilage it has been to stand and Honor the Heroes who serve our country. A special acknowledgement to Bob Stone for his gift of Leadership, and ease of making you feel like a friend. I typically do not join groups, Bob’s leadership made me feel at home in the PGR.

Another shout out goes to RC Kevin Wakely, who was a huge help, and good friend when my Harley Tranny siezed up this summer. Kevin’s just a great Guy to have a Cold Beer with. (Kevin, you are a guy, right?)

RC Greg Young and his young wife “Perky” always made me smile.

Fred Fricke….well what can you say about Fred? Thanks for the friendship, I always liked seeing you and I am truly sorry about putting your name on the “Do not Fly List”….I’ve tried to take it off of the list, but apparently getting it off is a bit of a difficulty. My advice??? Bring some Vaseline along next time you check in for a flight! The strip search will be much more comfortable if you have some lubrication…

Seriously, so many great people who go the distance to make the CT PGR what it is. Joanne, Jack, Bobby, all of you are Great Americans…I will remember all of you with Fondness… Wayne Nelson “Bubba316”

Connecticut Patriot Guard Gratitude Expressions on Saturday, September 11, 2010 at 9:51am
From:  Steve Minikowski

Posted marked 8/24/2010 – Sent to the Patriot Guard Riders c/o John G. Casey, Jr (Ride Captain)

“Dear Connecticut Patriot Guard Riders:

Thank your for a beautiful processional tribute to our beloved Dad and Soldier, Samuel Kowal.  Thank you for the Packet you sent to us of the Army Historical Foundation.

The Family of Samuel Kowal

Orginially posted Connecticut Patriot Guard Gratitude Expressions on Wednesday, September 8, 2010 at 9:57pm

Orginially posted by Connecticut Patriot Guard on Sunday, September 5, 2010 at 8:16pm

Letter from Gold Star Mom…

08/22/2010

Dearest Friends,

I think of you all as friends after the event we shared last Sunday. It has taken this many days for the overwhelming feelings to settle in my mind and heart.

Thank you, thank you, thank you for the honest, sincere affection from you riders/veterans toward me and the other Gold Star Mothers. Seeing you all lined up, waiting for us to roll in, watching your faces when my husband stood “The Lady” in the back of my truck left me speechless, but the tears rolled down my face as they do the statue.The many stories we shared, the many hugs and tears will forever be etched in my memory. I have never been involved in such an event before and the thunder from all those bikes roaring into the street, the long line stretched as far as I could see behind me was awesome!

I truly want to thank each and every one of you for the heartwarming, wonderful, inspiring, memorable day you gave me. I know my son, Tim, was beside me all the way and was enjoying himself and thanking you all for giving his mom such joy.

May God bless you all and keep you safe.

Love,

Elaine Gibson

Proud Gold Star Mom of Cpl. Timothy M. Gibson, USMC

Orginially published by Connecticut Patriot Guard on Monday, August 16, 2010 at 9:19pm

From: Anne Chouinard

Sent: Monday, August 16, 2010

To: Connecticut Patriot Guard

Subject: A GOLD STAR MOM’S THANKS

August 16, 2010

Good morning all,

Bobby (Bob Stone) what a great job in organizing the Veterans groups to participate in this once in a lifetime week-end.

Andrew Chernak (Sculptor) there are not enough words to THANK YOU from the bottom of my heart for creating such a beautiful statue our MOM.  God has given you such a great talent and you are using it to honor such a very special group of women.  Our Gold Star Mothers.  It is a terrific way to educate this country about Gold Star Mothers.  The ceremony in Gettysburg was truly amazing.  The support from all the people in Gettysburg was just the beginning of this amazing week-end.  Andrew please thank your wife for her great hospitality.  I look forwarding to see you both on Thrusday.

To my fellow committee members of the NEGSMMA and family and friends who made the ride and those who could not but were there when we pulled into Manchester.  I love you all so much you are all like family to me and Jean.

Yes I should be asleep but I needed to send this message to you all.

It was such a very emotional filled week-end.   We cried, we laughed and we all where surrounded by the love of all those who touched our lives this week-end. But most of all our boys watched over all of us.

We made an amazing journey and met such very amazing people all doing their part to make this week-end so memorable.  WOW  WOW WOW

The NH motorcycle riders who made the journey down to Gettysburg and back to NH.  Denise Gionet said the rain was tears from HEAVEN.  She was right.  I can not thank you enough for riding through ALL THE TEARS for us.  To Denise, Elaine and Nicole  and all the other Gold Star Mothers our boys watch over us each second of everyday I know how very proud they are of all of us.

It was my great honor to ride with Marsha aka Munckin.  A ride I will remember forever. To tell my grandchildren about so they can tell their grandchildren.

All the people who came out at each stop to greet us or join in the ride. The Gold Star Mothers who came so many states to be part of this special week-end.  The people who joined our motorcade at every stop.  The Patriot Guard, Marine Riders, Combat Vets and so many more.  I know there were so many groups represented in the ride this week-end.

The people standing on a over pass waving to us as we drove under.  The people on the side of the highway with their flags and waving to us as we passed by.  The police escorts.  The people in Manchester at our final destination.

This trip was one was definitely measured by the out pouring LOVE of all.

I say to you all of you are my EARTHLY ANGELS who help me make it through each and everyday.  But most of all I truly blessed to have such a wonderful supportive husband Jean.  Because without him I would not be able to the things that I do.

My love to each and everyone of you who reads this.

God Bless you and your families.

Anne Chouinard

A Very Proud Gold Star Mother of

AE2 James L. Dixon

Note of Appreciation from RI Patriot Guard and family of Lionel C. Martin

Orginially posted by Connecticut Patriot-Guard on Monday, July 26, 2010 at 10:04pm

via Tom Poole Rhode Island Patriot Guard Ride Captain.

Thank you all for the great show of Honor and Respect to Lionel C. Martin a WWII Veteran and his family. 11 of us formed a Flag line at the Church and escorted Mr. Martin to his final resting place. With huge help from John “Jack” Casey of the CT. PGR making our staging that much easier and flowing. The family was very happy and sent the following message of thanks..

Thanks to the PGR, Combat Vets and CMA members for their service in honoring my father-in-law, a veteran of WWII, who died on Thursday. The family was deeply touched by this tribute. Scott McKay via Tom Poole Rhode Island Patriot Guard Ride Captain.

Thank you all for the great show of Honor and Respect to Lionel C. Martin a WWII Veteran and his family. 11 of us formed a Flag line at the Church and escorted Mr. Martin to his final resting place. With huge help from John “Jack” Casey of the CT. PGR making our staging that much easier and flowing. The family was very happy and sent the following message of thanks..

Thanks to the PGR, Combat Vets and CMA members for their service in honoring my father-in-law, a veteran of WWII, who died on Thursday. The family was deeply touched by this tribute.

Scott McKay

Letter of Appreciation for SSG Edwin Rivera Honor Mission June 6, 2010

Orginially Posted by Connecticut Patriot Guard on Saturday, July 10, 2010 at 9:33pm

Bob, (Bob Stone – State Captain, Connecticut Patriot Guard)

Just wanted you to know that mission is complete. I saw Yesenia Rivera yesterday and delivered her the plaque for you. She again wishes you to know how much it means to know that you and your riders do what you do.

Per our discussion on the phone the last time about finding someone to give the plaque with the SGT ranking on it, I have decided that I am going to keep it for myself. I am planning on hanging it up with some other items to honor Edwin in my home. He was a Sergeant at Millstone Power Station with me and I wrote his letter of intent and coaxed him to go for the promotion when he got it so the SGT ranking means a lot to me anyway.

Sad in a way how it took this event to make a connection between us but I feel fortunate for reaching out to you and that you took hold. Please thank everyone again for me and please follow through on mentioning to your guys that whomever it was at the cemetery that day that grabbed my hand and looked me in my eyes while saying “we who have served tend to choose our friends as if they were our foxhole buddy” really made an impact on me that day.

I knew why I was a friend to Edwin but this man truly made me feel that Edwin must have known that I would be strong enough to help his family through the toughest time they will hopefully ever face. I am changed in a way that I cannot explain and how this man knew what to say at that time without even knowing me is a blessing that I will ponder for the rest of my life. Thank you again Bob.

Your friend,

Matthew Hasson

LETTER OF APPRECIATION – RECENT MISSION, Ted “Tiger Ted” Lowry

Orginially posted  by Connecticut Patriot Guard on Friday, July 2, 2010 at 7:52pm

Ted “Tiger Ted” Lowry US Army WWII Norwalk CT

{{{BIG}}} Thank Yous to both Michael Lewis and Joseph Murchison for their quick actions in this matter, and {{{MUCH}}} Appreciation to John (Jack) Casey and the Patriot Guard for their fantastic response, also! They all had about a day to put this together!

Jack: Just received a note from Joe Murchison(triplenickle@juno.com) saying the family really appreciated the Patriot Guards presence and thank you so much for such short notice being to make an appearance at the funeral and wake Ted “Tiger Ted” Lowry US Army WWII Norwalk CT {{{BIG}}} Thank Yous to both Michael Lewis and Joseph Murchison for their quick actions in this matter, and {{{MUCH}}} Appreciation to John Casey and the Patriot Guard for their fantastic response, also! They all had about a day to put this together! Jack: Just received a note from Joe Murchison(triplenickle@juno.com) saying the family really appreciated the Patriot Guards presence and thank you so much for such short notice being to make an appearance at the funeral and wake.