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Virginia Tusa, 52, Patriot Guard member, Marshall, MN, 19 FEB 10



Twenty two Minnesota Patriot Guard members attended the visitation service of Marshall Sector member Virginia "Ginny" Tusa, age 52, who passed away on Monday, Feb. 15. Ten were from neighboring sectors, coming from as far away as Grove City, Spicer, Hutchinson, LuVerne area, Jackson, and St. James. Upon arriving, each one was introduced to Virginia's family, and was welcomed warmly. Her elderly father shared with me that he had attended the Posivio funeral in Welcome, and produced a card from his billfold given to him that day, nearly four years ago, by Paul Ramsbey !

The lobby of the funeral home was filled with momentos of Ginny's life, and many concerned her three year involvement with the Patriot Guard. Her vest and chaps were "standing" next to an Amercian Flag sent to her from Iraq from National Guard Black Hawk Capt Andrea Ourada, and a video of the last funeral mission she attended was playing on a computer. A small model of her red Volkswagon, flying a miniature American flag, had been made by her father and was on display in front of the beautiful urn containing her ashes, matching her real car which was parked in front of the funeral home, flying the flag on the mount that she had just recently made. Most touching to me was a picture of the flag pole at the hospital in Sioux Falls. When a donor harvest is taking place, a special flag flies below the American Flag in honor of the donor. Within a day, six unknown people now had a chance at living a better life.

Most of the members were able to stay for the 7:00 prayer service, where many mourners shared their favorite memories of their friend, Ginny. Even though plenty of chairs were available, the entire group stood with respect at the back of the room during the entire service.

After the service, we gathered for lunch at a neighboring bar and grill, and were joined by Ginny's partner, Gary Baxter, and a toast was raised in Ginny's memormy.

God bless the memory of our PGR sister, Virginia "Ginny" Tusa. Our deepest sympathies extended to her partner, PGR member Gary Baxter.

(@) Obituary

(@) PGR National Thread

Respecfully submitted,

Alan Peterson
Marshall Sector Ride Captain