I wanted to send a thank you to both the MN and IA riders who helped us so much in their presence, but could not find email for an Iowa contact. Can you be of any help forwarding this on? I also attached some photos to share.

To the faithful members of the Patriot Guard,

On June 15, 2010, my cousin, Spc. Christopher Opat, was killed in Iraq. Our family grieved, as any would, and for a week we waited until his body was escorted back to the USA. When Chris arrived at the Rochester Airport, his family waited, and reality hit. We had been grieving for a week, yet we'd been waiting too, without it really sinking in that he was gone. The day of Chris' welcome home was amazing. It was both heartbreaking, and heartwarming at the same time. Chris did not come home from the war alive, but he was still being given a hero's homecoming. He was met at the airport by family, with the Patriot Guard members standing at attention, waving their beautiful American flags. The car was led 50 miles home to Cresco, Iowa by your members, a sight that was amazing to see and still gives us all goosebumps. One thing that was so awesome, was that the Minnesota Patriot Guard riders did not stop at the state line, they kept going, joined alongside by their brothers and sisters of the Iowa Patriot Guard. What a welcome home for our soldier! The road you led Chris down to get home was lined with Americans and American flags- all 50+ miles of it. It's tough to lose a soldier, but it's heartwarming to know that he died for a country that will stand along a highway waving thier red, white and blue, to say thank you to him and to show support for those who love him. It was a very healing day for our family.

At Chris' reviewal and funeral, there you all were again. Minnesotans and Iowans standing guard together. For 8+ hours of the reviewal, you stood in the hot sun and let your beautiful flags remind us all of what our veterans and soldiers stood and still stand for. There was an amazing team of women from the Iowa Patriot Guard who made hundreds of buttons with Chris' picture and the words " Spc. Christopher Opat, In Loving Memory" for his family and friends to wear in his honor. It's a button I will keep and wear with pride until the day I die. Your members held the door of the building as Chris' family and friends entered and exited for the reviewal. You all just went above and beyond, and each time we shook a hand and and said "Thank You," you all replied with "It's our honor" or "Thank YOU for your sacrifice." So humble and so true to the beliefs of your team.

On a personal note, I want to add that this is the second time I have been witness to your American acts of patriotism for our soldiers. On July 19, 2007, my brother-in-law returned home to Sauk Centre, MN from 18 months to Iraq. Again, there you all were leading them down the roads lined with red, white and blue and there you were so proud and humble as you stood guard. I think like many Americans, I always knew the importance of the flag, but until that day I never truly FELT the importance of the flag. It was an experience I will never forget, much like Chris' welcome home yet to the other extreme. So I have witnessed you welcome home busloads of Red Bull soldiers to their smiling, anxious families, and I have been there as you welcomed home my cousin to our grieving family, and both times you did it with grace and honor and for both times, I THANK YOU.

It was very consoling and brought us all much peace to see the Patriot Guard present for 3 days to honor Chris. What you do is inspiring and we cannot thank you enough for what you've done for us, and most importantly, for our soldier. Thank you all for your service, both past and present. Thank you for your sacrifices and for honoring and remembering America's heros.

May God bless you for your goodness.

Kristin (Opat) Bray
Red Wing, MN