PGR_NTX Patriot Guard From a recent mission

[Mission Information For North Texas PGR]

Ladies and Gentlemen,

 

Recently the PGR was asked to participate in the funeral services for PFC
Matthew Ogden, recently Killed in Action in Afghanistan.  It was a great
honor for us to do so and the mission was Ride Captained flawlessly by Randy
Roberts and Dewey Dyer.  Those of you who were present at the cemetery
likely noticed the 2 star General who was there and presented the flags to
the family.  It is not unusual to see a General Officer at the funeral of a
service member who was Killed in Action, as the military pays its greatest
respects to those who have given their lives for their country.  Without
exception these high ranking officers have always sought out the PGR and
offered their thanks to us and have been genuinely kind and gracious to us
and for that we are very grateful.

 

This particular General, however, was a little different.and in a good way,
I think.  When he had concluded his official business I saw him approach
Randy Roberts.  The General had a slight smile on his face and I presumed he
was going to shake Randy's hand.  As the General offered his hand to Randy
the General said; "The Patriot Guard is always there."  The General
introduced himself and they spoke for a few moments and the General said he
is from Texas.  Randy invited him to come and ride with us when his service
was completed.  They had a nice exchange, during which Randy presented the
General with a North Texas PGR challenge coin as a memento of the occasion.
The General moved on to another rider, smiled, again offered his hand and
said; "The Patriot Guard is always there."  Pleasantries were again
exchanged and the General moved on.  I watched this occur a couple more
times before I was called to something else. 

 

What stuck in my mind, though, was that before the General ever introduced
himself or said anything else to a rider he always said; "The Patriot Guard
is always there."  Here is a Major General, who obviously has more than a
couple of things to think about on a daily basis, and the first thing out of
his mouth to PGR riders at a funeral for a soldier who was Killed in Action
is; "The Patriot Guard is always there."

 

I did not meet the General but I knew I had to find out who this was.  To
the rescue comes Chief Kelsey, who often comes to the rescue.  The Chief
tells me that the General is Major General Michael "Mike" Lee Oates, the
Commanding General of the 10th Mountain Division out of Ft. Drum, NY.  PFC
Ogden, you recall, was a member of the 10th Mountain Division.  At the time
of PFC Ogden's funeral, MG Oates himself had been back from the sand for
only 9 days.

 

So here we had the Commanding General of the 10th Mountain Division, a
Division with a long and proud history, back only 9 days from the war zone
at the funeral of a PFC from his Division and presenting well deserved
honors.  He then takes the time to honor us in the PGR by recognizing our
presence and shaking hands.  He further shows us the great honor of greeting
us by using the words; "The Patriot Guard is always there."  This, even
prior to introducing himself.

 

I know that a number of the riders witnessed this and met the General.  I
only wish more could have been there to see him and receive the great honor
he gave us by his words.  I don't think I'm alone in thinking in terms of a
bumper sticker or patch or something.

 

"The Patriot Guard is always there."

                                Major General Michael "Mike" Oates

                                Commanding, 10th Mountain Division

                                United States Army

                                June 11, 2009 - Dallas, Texas

 

I hope you don't mind my taking up your time with this relating of events
from a recent mission, and I certainly don't intend for an instant to
detract from the true intent of the day itself - to honor the memory of
Private First Class Michael Ogden for giving the ultimate sacrifice for our
country and our freedom.  But in the grand scheme of things, you matter.
The riders of the Patriot Guard matter.

 

General Oates said a lot in those 6 words.  He made an observation.  He gave
us a compliment.  He thanked us.  And I think he gave us a charge.a duty.a
responsibility.  I believe that he may be actually calling on us to be
"always there."  Always there for the service member and their family,
wherever "there" happens to be - the flight line, the funeral home, the
cemetery, the back yard building a wheelchair ramp, escorting the troops
home or on their way, or otherwise lending a hand. or a shoulder.

 

Always there.

 

I like it.

 

Steve Lucas

Deputy State Captain

North Texas PGR

 
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