Northern M & G and the Flag Line 09, Camp Ripley

I just wanted to thank everyone who helped with the northern m & g and the flag line. It went perfectly, and that is due to all of you. Everyone on the planning team: you all did such a fabulous job, I appreciate your hanging in there and making this such a great event. Special thanks to Bill and Fran, Rick, and Chuck for running things at Camp so smoothly (also to Nick, my son, for his help counting and parking.)

Harley: thank you for taking over the ride guards and doing such a great job! We transitioned perfectly at each turn. I don't know all of them so please thank then for me for a job well done. Also thanks for counting, and for evverything else you helped with! You are awesome!

Tom and Pam and Karen and Dave: Love you guys! I appreciate so much the commitment you exhibited and the help you gave with road guarding and Pam for all the writing you did when you were counting. I am sorry the clickers weren't there. You are all troopers though and the job got done.

Thanks Greg for taking pics....Flash....we missed you and hoped you are recovering from your pneumonia. Also thanks to everyone else taking pics.

I want to thank the Gold Star families that were in the cemetery when we rode through. We mourn your sacrifice too. We are here if you need us. It was nice to see the guys from the VFW there, and our thanks go out to them too.

Doug: your speech was wonderful. So many people have told me how moved they were by it. Karla: thanks for your help planning and your help the day of...you are such a good friend and ride captain and I value you so much.

Huge thank you to Major Ebel, General Shellito, Colonel Weaver, WO Bednarek, SSGT Detierly (sp?) and Sgt Sanford for your gracious hospitality over the last 7 months in planning, and for all your help. The General's speech was awesome.

To all of those up in Pillager helping, Carl and Diane, Karen B, Doc Brody, Brophy (for the prayer), parking help people, Jason, etc. THANK YOU! (Sorry about not having the porta-potty!). All other RC's that came and brought their sector members with, I am so proud to ride with you. Thank you.

And mostly, to the members. This is the greatest organization in the world! Without you, we don't work well. You came out and showed your honor and respect for our men and women in uniform and it was a day none of us will forget, and one I will always be proud of.

We have gone with 1396 as having been on the line with a flag and 670 bikes. We are donating $3000 to Camp, $2500 from the Patriot Guard and friends, and $500 from Donahue Harley.

We were on the cover of Monday's Brainerd Dispatch (Karla's mom is quoted) and Monday's St. Cloud Times. Channel five carried it (and our own RJ was featured), and I think it was on Lakeland Public TV.

I am including a link to Sgt Sanford's (Ripley Reporter) pictures: http://picasaweb.google.com/MinnesotaNationalGuard (Some helicopter pics)

Picasa pics can be saved to your computer by right clicking on the pic and clicking "save as." And a link to Greg Studer's pics: http://picasaweb.google.com/mtcat1000/FlagLine2009Pictures#

http://www.facebook.com/ext/share.php?sid=135909764126&h=aUEYT&u=ggf3N&ref=mf

There are a lot of pics posted on Facebook..feel free to add me...Sheila Reem....thank you for bringing your car down...there were so many that were moved by seeing it. Shannon and Sheila...thanks for taking pics too.

So many people were touched by this. I think the greatest part was my son (who didn't get a lot of my time during the planning) telling me he was proud of me. (Also, the bikes going both directions was pretty cool!)

I know I have missed people here and it is not my intention. Law enforcement was great! Everyone who helped, and everyone who participated is equally important because the end result was the honor and respect shown to those who serve and have served. AND WE HAD FUN DOING IT!! THANK YOU ALL!!!!!

God Bless America and Those That Serve and Have Served This Great Nation ~ Freedom Isn't Free!!

Starr Marshall
Brainerd Sector RC
MN Patriot Guard/Patriot Guard Riders

(@) Pictures from Event, same link as above
(@) Pictures from Event, same link as above
(@) Pictures from Event, same link as above