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[Me#1You#10]

The wreath-laying at Arlington Cemetery
By Michelle Malkin • December 15, 2007

[Nutso]

I do some missions witht the Minnesota Patriot Guard and have just become more active and was at the wreath laying at Ft Snelling in Minneapolis last week. We had about as many Patriot Guard people as there were family members so it was a good showing. We selected names at random from a list of recently departed soldiers and stood with our flags at their graves for about an hour while families visited and we placed wreaths on their headstones.
I picked a name off a list - it just seemed to hit me. It said PV2 - so I (being an old sailor) assumed it was a second class Petty Officer (DUH).
It was an Army private, however he had no family attend. After getting home I decided to do some research on this young man and found out he had served about 6 months in Iraq and came home for Christmas Break last year. While home they found he had a fast growing tumor wrapped around his spinal cord and died in January.
For those who may be interested the Patriot Guard is active an most states and Nationally. You do not need to be a biker as there are many 4 wheel members also. I have found it very satisfying and some very dedicated people doing great work.
My first mission with them a few weeks ago was a memory I will never forget. We were sending off a group of 67 soldiers whose unit was leaving for their 3rd tour. They were leaving at 5 am on a Friday morning so we mustered at 4 am to be ready. Now for those not in this neck of the woods it was one of those early November cold spells that send chills down your back knowing whats ahead for the winter. It was about 10 degrees at 4 in the am and 102 people showed up to stand a flag line for 67 soldiers. If you can donate some time to this cause it sends a great message to our troops.

[Me#1You#10]

Good on ya Nutso. Well done.

[Navy_Navy_Navy]

Ditto that, nutso! I'm so glad that our servicemen and women are getting expressions of admiration and gratitude from real people to counter the antics of the lunatic fringe.

Thank you!
_________________
~ Echo Juliet ~
Altering course to starboard - On Fire, Keep Clear
Navy woman, Navy wife, Navy mother