Wasch_24
2005 BoY
Hey guys. We are back from Ian's funeral. Rachel went down to KC Monday afternoon after getting the news about her brother and then came back Tuesday so that the kids and I could go down. We just got back last night.
I haven't been online much, for obvious reasons but wanted to pop on tonight to say thanks for all the PMs and all the support that is going on here. I also needed to answer a bunch of PMs, ask Larry to handle the Super Bowl Squares contest for me, check if anyone else was wanting to join the NASCAR League, and just give you guys a heads up as to what has been going on.
The "Nebraska, the good life" Herf is still on for the weekend of the 8th of June.
I am still attending the herf at Azucar's in Jersey City on the 17th.
I am still running the NASCAR League.
The Super Bowl Squares game is still on.
I still plan on winning the Avallo. :grin:
One other thing I wanted to mention is is a huge thanks to the Overland Park, KS American Legion Riders and the rest of the Patriot Guard Riders that participated in all of the services for Ian Anderson. These guys are amazing! Wednesday night the entire family went to the airport to be there when Ian was brought home. The PGR braved the 30 degree temperatures and provided an escort of almost 50 riders. In addition to the 50 men and women on their bikes there were about 40 additional cars and trucks from the PGR. Four bikes surrounded the hurse with huge American flags on the back of the bikes and escorted Ian the entire 45 minute drive from the airport to the funeral home.
Once we arrived at the funeral home there was an additional 50-60 people holding big American Flags all around the circle and sidewalks in front of the funeral home...it was barely 30 degrees and about 10pm mind you.
These PGR are absolutely awesome!
The next day was the visitation for Ian. Again, when we got there about 50 people from the PGR were there holding the flags. There were also another 30 or so riders there prepared to "protect" us from any potential protesters. We never saw them if there were any. Even if there were they would have been promptly escorted out of the area by the 15 or so local uniformed police officers that were there, just in case. Apparently the Westboro Baptist Church is less then two hours away and they typically protest at every fallen soldiers funeral in KC.
Again, we never even saw or heard them. If they were even there.
Friday was Ian's funeral. His family asked me to give his eulogy. That was the most honorable, and most emotionally difficult, thing I have ever done. After the services there were over 200 Patriot Guard Riders lined up outside the church on their motorcycles. Most had huge American flags on their bikes. The procession was over one mile in length due to these honorable people...it was absolutely awesome!
When we arrived at the cemetery there were another 50 or so men and women holding flags surrounding Ian's grave site. Mostly to show respect but also to "protect" the family from any of those sickos that may have been protesting. Again, if they were there we never saw them.
If anyone of you ever feels like you want to try and help with this War on Terror but haven't found a way to do so...joining your local or State Patriot Guard is THE best way the average civilian can help. You DO NOT need a motorcycle to participate. Their involvement in Ian's services was absolutely amazing and will never ever be forgotten by anyone that saw it.
Thanks for reading all of that guys. I will be back eventually.
I haven't been online much, for obvious reasons but wanted to pop on tonight to say thanks for all the PMs and all the support that is going on here. I also needed to answer a bunch of PMs, ask Larry to handle the Super Bowl Squares contest for me, check if anyone else was wanting to join the NASCAR League, and just give you guys a heads up as to what has been going on.
The "Nebraska, the good life" Herf is still on for the weekend of the 8th of June.
I am still attending the herf at Azucar's in Jersey City on the 17th.
I am still running the NASCAR League.
The Super Bowl Squares game is still on.
I still plan on winning the Avallo. :grin:
One other thing I wanted to mention is is a huge thanks to the Overland Park, KS American Legion Riders and the rest of the Patriot Guard Riders that participated in all of the services for Ian Anderson. These guys are amazing! Wednesday night the entire family went to the airport to be there when Ian was brought home. The PGR braved the 30 degree temperatures and provided an escort of almost 50 riders. In addition to the 50 men and women on their bikes there were about 40 additional cars and trucks from the PGR. Four bikes surrounded the hurse with huge American flags on the back of the bikes and escorted Ian the entire 45 minute drive from the airport to the funeral home.
Once we arrived at the funeral home there was an additional 50-60 people holding big American Flags all around the circle and sidewalks in front of the funeral home...it was barely 30 degrees and about 10pm mind you.
These PGR are absolutely awesome!
The next day was the visitation for Ian. Again, when we got there about 50 people from the PGR were there holding the flags. There were also another 30 or so riders there prepared to "protect" us from any potential protesters. We never saw them if there were any. Even if there were they would have been promptly escorted out of the area by the 15 or so local uniformed police officers that were there, just in case. Apparently the Westboro Baptist Church is less then two hours away and they typically protest at every fallen soldiers funeral in KC.
Again, we never even saw or heard them. If they were even there.
Friday was Ian's funeral. His family asked me to give his eulogy. That was the most honorable, and most emotionally difficult, thing I have ever done. After the services there were over 200 Patriot Guard Riders lined up outside the church on their motorcycles. Most had huge American flags on their bikes. The procession was over one mile in length due to these honorable people...it was absolutely awesome!
When we arrived at the cemetery there were another 50 or so men and women holding flags surrounding Ian's grave site. Mostly to show respect but also to "protect" the family from any of those sickos that may have been protesting. Again, if they were there we never saw them.
If anyone of you ever feels like you want to try and help with this War on Terror but haven't found a way to do so...joining your local or State Patriot Guard is THE best way the average civilian can help. You DO NOT need a motorcycle to participate. Their involvement in Ian's services was absolutely amazing and will never ever be forgotten by anyone that saw it.
Thanks for reading all of that guys. I will be back eventually.
