Karla, Rick, and the MPGR;

A simple thank you just isn't enough to acknowledge your involvement in my brother Mark's funeral on Friday, 2/19/10. I'm not sure what I expected, but what we got was a whole lot more.

As I mentioned previously, both Mark and I are Vietnam Veterans, as a matter of fact, we were both over there at the same time.

Like so many of our military brothers and sisters, our welcome home was nonexistent. We were both shunned by our classmates and protested against. My first day back on US soil was to an anti Vietnam War demonstration at the Greyhound Bus Depot in San Francisco. Not to make excuses for our bad behavior, but in order to try to numb the pain and anger, we both ended up in trouble with alcoholism, not unlike a lot of our fellow Vets from that era. Eventually, we both got sober in the mid and late 70's and decided to move forward. We both talked about this quite often, but there was always something missing.

For both of us, the real healing began when the country finally began to properly welcome our military personnel home from the more recent conflicts and wars. The Minnesota Patriot Guard has really played a huge role in that effort.

I personally made it a point to shake each of the MPGR members hands on Friday, and thank them for what they do. Each of you told me it was an honor to be there doing this. Let me assure you, and them, that I have never been so honored in my life! I can tell all of you that I believe you did my brother proud, and that for me, The bitterness that I used to carry is now gone. I was never ashamed of what I did, quite the opposite, I have always felt pride in having served our great nation.

My Daughter who came up from Texas to attend this funeral, recently completed 6 years in the US Army, and was on funeral detail in Hawaii for a couple months. She was very impressed with what your involvement brought to the service for the family. Mark's Son Aaron said after the service that he never expected anything like that. I believe there were 28 of you there on Friday from all over the state. What a tribute! I was also given a 'Thank You for your service ' card from one of the MPGR, a medallion from another, and a lapel pin from yet another. I certainly did not expect that either.


On behalf of Mark, his family, friends, and especially myself, we all thank you so very much for what you did, and what you do.

Respectfully submitted,

Brent Thomton