Several months ago a member of my staff
was picking someone up at Sacramento International Airport and noticed
a flag-bearing group of veterans aligned at the base of an escalator
at Terminal A.
It was February in the middle of a dreary patch of weather but the flag line brought smiles and even a few tears of pride to those invited and those who had just happened by.
The vets were poised and at attention awaiting an order from their leader. A family – spouse, children and in-laws – was gathered nearby with easily-read looks of anticipation, beaming with Category 5 smiles.
This tug of humanity had caused any number of busy travelers arriving and departing to stop and inquire about what was about to happen. Who was everybody waiting to see and greet?
That question soon was answered when a brawny soldier clad in fatigues and bearing duffle bags on each shoulder began to descend the escalator, his face erupting in a coast-to coast smile as he recognized his loved ones and his beloved flag below.
That ebullient moment, complete with flag-line salute and song, will be forever etched in the memory of the young soldier returning from a Middle East deployment – all thanks to efforts of the Northern California Chapter of the Patriot Guardian Riders (PGR).
When I heard about this event I, too, became interested in the PGR in California and, in fact, I looked for an opportunity to stand beside them in the flag line during one of their future “missions” to greet a returning solider or to be present when one is laid to rest.
The first of many opportunities came recently around 6:30 p.m. Friday at Elk Grove Fire Station #71 on Elk Grove Blvd. The local PGR group headed up by R.C. “Mickey” Giacomo, had been asked to welcome a group of runners from Run For the Fallen, who were honoring Gold Star veterans and families during a 150-mile segmented run from Elk Grove that meandered south before ending up at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery later that weekend. Some of the Gold Star families, whose loved ones were being honored along the run and at the cemetery, were also in attendance.
It was very touching to meet with some Gold Star parents and spouses and remember the ultimate sacrifice their loved ones gave so everyone in these United States can enjoy freedom.
Having made some new friends and received my PGR “dog tags,” I am now connected and in the loop for future missions.
PGR include veterans and non-veterans, and both men and women participate in the flag line – even those of us who don’t ride motorcycles and show up to missions driving in their “cage,” a.k.a. a car.
Remembering our veterans is one of the most beautiful expressions of patriotism. Thanks to Mickey and his PGR pals for their endless hours of volunteering to make events like those mentioned here possible.
Sincerely,
Daniel E. Lungren
Member of Congress
It was February in the middle of a dreary patch of weather but the flag line brought smiles and even a few tears of pride to those invited and those who had just happened by.
The vets were poised and at attention awaiting an order from their leader. A family – spouse, children and in-laws – was gathered nearby with easily-read looks of anticipation, beaming with Category 5 smiles.
This tug of humanity had caused any number of busy travelers arriving and departing to stop and inquire about what was about to happen. Who was everybody waiting to see and greet?
That question soon was answered when a brawny soldier clad in fatigues and bearing duffle bags on each shoulder began to descend the escalator, his face erupting in a coast-to coast smile as he recognized his loved ones and his beloved flag below.
That ebullient moment, complete with flag-line salute and song, will be forever etched in the memory of the young soldier returning from a Middle East deployment – all thanks to efforts of the Northern California Chapter of the Patriot Guardian Riders (PGR).
When I heard about this event I, too, became interested in the PGR in California and, in fact, I looked for an opportunity to stand beside them in the flag line during one of their future “missions” to greet a returning solider or to be present when one is laid to rest.
The first of many opportunities came recently around 6:30 p.m. Friday at Elk Grove Fire Station #71 on Elk Grove Blvd. The local PGR group headed up by R.C. “Mickey” Giacomo, had been asked to welcome a group of runners from Run For the Fallen, who were honoring Gold Star veterans and families during a 150-mile segmented run from Elk Grove that meandered south before ending up at the Sacramento Valley National Cemetery later that weekend. Some of the Gold Star families, whose loved ones were being honored along the run and at the cemetery, were also in attendance.
It was very touching to meet with some Gold Star parents and spouses and remember the ultimate sacrifice their loved ones gave so everyone in these United States can enjoy freedom.
Having made some new friends and received my PGR “dog tags,” I am now connected and in the loop for future missions.
PGR include veterans and non-veterans, and both men and women participate in the flag line – even those of us who don’t ride motorcycles and show up to missions driving in their “cage,” a.k.a. a car.
Remembering our veterans is one of the most beautiful expressions of patriotism. Thanks to Mickey and his PGR pals for their endless hours of volunteering to make events like those mentioned here possible.
Sincerely,
Daniel E. Lungren
Member of Congress
