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<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>Ladies and Gentlemen,<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>I met last night with the planning committee for Snowball Express
IV, which is coming to Dallas December 9-13, 2009. I invite everyone to
please to go their website at <a href="http://www.snowballexpress.org">www.snowballexpress.org</a>
and spend a little time there to see what they do for the families of our
fallen military personnel. It is quite simply unbelievable and it is a
truly massive undertaking. These surviving spouses and children will be
coming, quite literally, from all around the world, expense free, to spend time
in North Texas to be with folks who, like themselves, have lost a family member
in the military since 9/11. These kids will be here to have a good time,
reunite with the kids they’ve met over the last few years, and see once
again that they are not alone in their world.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>The planning that goes into this is monumental. American
Airlines will be moving airplanes all over the country and to other places in
the world to bring them here. There is an entire division of experts for
food procurement. A retired Air Force Wing Commander (and above) is in
charge of ground transportation logistics. There are static and mobile
command posts. Everyone who comes into contact with the children has to
have a background check done on them and there are literally hundreds if not
thousands of volunteers. The family participation is limited this year to
2000 persons. That’s about 40 buses. At least 9 hotels are
being used.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>The North Texas Patriot Guard Riders have been given the great
honor of being asked to participate with this event. The President and
CEO of Snowball Express and the Director of Operations had a positive
experience with the PGR in California, where the Snowball Express has been for
the last 3 years at Disneyland, Universal Studios, etc., and they have seen the
North Texas PGR in action first hand as well. They liked what they saw,
they like what we do, how we do it, and what we’re all about.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>The PGR was there for many of these families when they placed their
loved one to rest. I, and many of you, have told those family members
that we would be there for them any time – any place they need us.
These families are still learning how to live their lives without their loved
one and these children are perhaps affected most of all. Nobody will
argue successfully that they have earned the right to a few days of recreation
and recognition once a year. The loved one that they lost paid for that
ticket in full. These families know the Snowball Express. It is
familiar and comfortable for them. Many of these families know the
Patriot Guard Riders. They know the motorcycles, the flag lines, the Tall
and Silent, and the shared tears. They want us there.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>Our role will be an escort one…to help get them from point A
to point B and to show them smiling faces of people who genuinely care about
them and want to see them have a good time in North Texas.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>Exactly what they are going to be doing is being kept close to the
vest right now so the kids don’t find out about it until just the right
time. The red carpet is really coming out, though, and it’s going
to be great.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>I have told the Snowball Express that they can count on us. PGR
from far and wide are welcome to plan on joining in because there will be a LOT
of riding to do. There will be at least 1 occasion where we will be
moving the entire mass from one place to another all at one
time…families, volunteers, the whole shooting match going down the
highway. What a show!!! Think about moving a 20 car funeral
procession. Now think about 40 buses plus volunteers plus whomever else
plus PGR.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>Anybody want to buy a tan hat…cheap? Just
kidding! I can’t wait. It’s going to be an outstanding
adventure and all for a great cause, the kids and the families of the military
personnel lost since 9/11.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>Please mark your calendars with a big Semper Gumby for that
week. It could be 80 degrees or 8 degrees or both…all in the same
day. I don’t remember the cause that used the phrase that goes;
“No man stands so tall than when he stoops to help a child.” but I
believe it applies here. These are some very special kids who have paid a
big price in their young lives and we can help.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>I hope to see as many of you there as can make it.<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>Steve Lucas<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>Deputy State Captain<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'>North Texas PGR<o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
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