Many of you may remember Brian and his mother, Mary, from Kenyon, MN. The MN Patriot Guard was invited to attend the Re-Patriation and Memorial Service for his Father, Major Ben Danielson, also known as Boxxer 22. Major Danielson was shot down over Laos on Dec 5th, 1969. Major Danielson was repatriated on June 16th, 2007.

(@) Mission Report

The letter below says a lot, please enjoy.

Craig,

Thanks for your nice note. it is good to get mail over here, especially from some of my favorite people. I appreciate your words about the service. i keep hearing good things about the service from people who where there and it gives me comfort to know that we were able to pull off what i had really intended, and that was to have a service that meant something for the people who really deserved the recognition for a miraculous event. couldnt have been done without you guys, and i hope you can pass my thanks. there will never be enough ways for me to show my gratitude, and that thought does trouble me sometimes.

I just wanted to say that I was recently on Leave from my tour over here. The leave rotator flights come into dallas and atlanta from kuwait, and then you get your follow on flight from there. When we came into dallas, the airport erupted into applause and there were many people who come to the airport just to say thanks and offer thier support. Having fashioned myself as a stoic Norwegian, I tend to feel that shows of emotion are a a sign of weakness, but it was hard for me to hold my composure.

I think it resulted a little from the service and getting to know the heros from the Boxer 22 rescue. It made me feel like the wonderful reception i got at the airport was in part getting more credit than i deserve. The warm welcome should have been reserved from those Vietnam era vets who never were able to have that amount of support. While many Vietnam era vets have taken time to thank me and many of my peers for our secrifices, I wonder how many of them return the favor to those who have endured much more hardhip and have paved the way for those luxuries we have today.

I recently got an email from Mr. Horka, who was a CSAR veteran and a member of the Boxer 22 rescue and he said in alot of ways it was the reception that he never got. I hope the PGR can consider that a validation of the magnitude of their mission. Some might think it is a motorcycle event, i say it is one of the most honorable things we have going on in this country. Even if he were the only one who felt that way ( and trust me, there were more ) it would have been more than worth it. When you get outside of this country, it gives you a great feel for the great things about our country, even if you dont ever get to see the truly good things on the news. but i digress. Sorry for the rambling...

From a guy who maybe got a bigger reception than he deserved to the guys who care enough to be the ones who truly make this country great, i say thanks to you on this veteran's day, albeit a late one.

I held a POW/MIA Day observance on our FOB this September. I gave a short speech about Boxer 22 and POW/MIA. (I actually mentioned PGR, too) POW/MIA Day tends to get overshadowed by Sept 11 day, but i still feel compelled to remind people of the importance of the sacrifice. After i gave my speech we raised a flag that was donated (of course, by the Kenyon VFW). The Chaplain gave a nice speech and we were on our way. As I walked away, an Air Force Captain came up to me and said "I think my dad was on that rescue. He never talked about the war but only mentioned one specific rescue." His name was Sam Carty. i recognized the last name because his dad's name was on my list of contacts from General Tripp and in the book listed as a crew member, Col Don Carty, a helo pilot who flew missions to support the boxer 22 rescue. Small world, isnt it?

I was able to go home to kenyon when I was on leave. There was a nice steak dinner waiting for us at the Kenyon VFW. If any one asks me what i think i am fighting for over here, my thoughts are immediately directed to that little place in my most sacred places on earth where people know the meaning of contribution to something greater than your self. i was glad that i could share that with as many people as i could during the services last year. it seemed like a long time ago, but the meaning has lost zero significance on me.

I was thinking of coming home to MN again after my tour is over for a reception at the Kenyon VFW. Would be glad to see you guys again, when i actually have time to talk to people! I am thinking about my address. I will be spending alot of time on the run these last months, and need to think where would be a good place to send something. it takes so long, especially so near to the holidays. will send you a follow on. Please post this note on your page, if you feel it is appropriate, since it would help me show a little bit of gratitude for the things you do, and for those who rode for MAJ Ben Danielson Day.

PLEASE GIVE MY BEST TO THE PGR. YOU GUYS ARE AWESOME!!!

-bd