847TH Engineer Brigade

27 PGR set a flagline outside while guests and soldiers arrived. We were able to great and thank many of the families as they arrive. A LT came by and gave each member a Army Strong pin. One of the organizers came out and gave us a 5 minute warning that the ceremony was about to begin.

At 1000 we went inside single file and lined back of room for the ceremony. The ceremony was heart touching, but was really tough to hold back emotions when a soldier read a letter from Senator Bachmann. As she had a hard time reading the letter, it was obvious that she was saddened about the need to leave her family and friends.

When ceremony was over we stood while soldiers lined up in front of part of our group for pictures. The families and soldiers were going to have a get together with coffee, punch, and pastries. I figured that might be a while so with the LT’s permission I led our members single file past the lined up soldier, each of us thanking and shaking their hands as we past.

We gathered in the lot so we could all ride out together. Sgt Sturns caught up to us before we got to far and handed each of us a pen made of a 50 cal. by the father of a fallen soldier the PGR had stood for. We rode out as a group, as we uniformly rode through the base to the gate I felt very proud to be in the lead.

Thank you all for being there, and thank you Rick for allowing me to lead this mission.

Tim Leonhardt
Road Name "Drifter"
NW Metro Patriot Guard Ride Captain