Luverne Veteran's Memorial Dedication

All I have to say as I reflect on the Memorial Day Dedication at Luverne is WOW !! And to think that I sent out an email hoping to have at least a few of our members who could make it so I wouldn't have to stand alone. Luverne is in the extreme SW corner of our state and we just had a dedication the day before in Worthington - I wasn't sure how many could support another dedication on Monday. Well I was WRONG !! 34 members showed up from SW MN, SD and IA. THANK YOU! In spite of a ferocious south wind you came and you stood! Thank you to the "ever present" Alan Peterson - Marshall RC and Ken Pederson - Worthington ARC for your help as always!

The Monument in Luverne is unbelievable! Alan Peterson took many pictures of the event and they have been sent out to you before but I will include the link again below:

http://share.shutterfly.com/action/welcome?sid=0AZMmLJq0ZMmLGCA

Now a bit about the Dedication Ceremony:

First and foremost - please continue to keep Andrew Hanson in your thoughts and prayers as he recovers from his wounds at Walter Reed. We will welcome him HOME when that day comes - but in the meantime he and his family and loved ones need our prayers and support.

The Master of Ceremonies was Terrie Gulden - Retired USMC Corporal, Vice Commander of the Luverne VFW and Proud PGR Member. Terrie did a first class job putting the whole program together and we are blessed to have him involved in the MN PG. I'm not sure, but I would estimate the crowd at somewhere around 1000+ strong.

During Terrie's speech - he recognized the PGR - and to my amazement and a bit of shock - we received a standing ovation from all present. This I did not expect and was a very humbling experience. I also found it somewhat unsettling - we are not doing this for us I was thinking - it's for our troops, our veterans and our families. Part of me wanted to shout this out - "IT'S NOT ABOUT US!" but you know what? - it's not about us - these people were applauding because of what we stand for - and we do need their support. The funeral missions take their toll on us - they are emotionally draining - we need events such as this to help ourselves "recharge" and it was with great pride that I stood there - Honored to be standing next to my fellow PGR members - my brothers and sisters - the finest people I have had the pleasure of being associated with.

SO TO ALL OF YOU WHO WERE THERE - YOU DESERVED THAT STANDING OVATION - THANK YOU FOR CONTINUING TO "DO THE RIGHT THING"

With Terrie's permission I am including the part of his speech where he mentioned Andrew Hanson and recognized the PGR - it truly was an honor to be there to support the Luverne community and surrounding area as they paid tribute to their Heros - both past and present - and also gathered together to support a family who is experience a very difficult time right now:

This past week, our community was shocked with the news of our first casualty of the Iraq war. One week ago today, Specialist Andrew Hanson, son of Jack and Felicia Hanson of Luverne, received severe injuries to both of his legs, as a result of an IED explosion while he was driving a Humvee. Andrew has a long recovery ahead of him but I can just hear him say that he will be fine and that he was just doing the right thing. A soldiers' heart is an amazing thing. It is difficult for those who have not been through what Andrew is experiencing to understand how those soldiers can look at life with such a positive outlook. I believe that Andrew is that kind of person; that kind of soldier.

Jack and Felicia, this community has cried for you this past week and will continue to hold you, your family, and especially Andrew in our prayers in the days and weeks to come. Today we honor Andrew. After all, this is why we are here today. I hope that this beautiful memorial will give you some peace and assurance that Andrew will not be forgotten. May God richly bless Andrew in his healing. Please take the prayers and blessings of this community to Andrew when you go to him. Let him know that we are so proud of him.

Lastly, I want to draw your attention to a group standing in the flag-line just to the west of this podium. I want to take a minute to recognize this group of men and women who may look a little intimidating as they ride their motorcycles and wear their black leather vests with colorful patches. They may look a little intimidating, but these folks have very big hearts; hearts made of solid gold. I don't know if you have heard anything about the Patriot Guard Riders, but they are here with us today. They ride and stand with American Flags unfurled to honor and guard our fallen soldiers at military funerals. Never again will the quite respect of a military funeral be disrupted by ungrateful protestors. Never again will the families of our nation's heroes be alone in their grief. It is shared by every member of the Patriot Guard Riders across this country. Over 95,000 volunteer members of the Patriot Guard Riders unselfishly give of their time and money to volunteer at Veterans Homes, hospitals, nursing homes, and provide help in many ways to families of currently deployed soldiers and other veteran needs as well as stand to honor our fallen heroes.

These folks are very busy but have come today from Iowa, SD, and Minn. Please help me thank them for what they do, and to thank them for riding to Luverne to be a part of this special celebration. Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome my friends, the Patriot Guard Riders. (Applaud)

-- Paul Ramsbey
Worthington Ride Captain
Minnesota Patriot Guard
www.mnpatriotguard.org
www.patriotguard.org