Mission
Report
 

CWO Philip E. Windorski, Jr., 35



Thursday's Mission 05 FEB,2009

Under security - CW3 Philip E. Windorski, Jr. arrived home in Minnesota at 0955 hrs. Military Flight landed at Grand Rapids-Itasca County Gordy Newstrom Field Airport, on board was CW3 Windorski and his escort and best friend in the service, Christopher – CW3 Windorski's wife said that through all their years of service, these two guys had

attempted to get together and be on a Flight together and it just never happened -- until this flight.

The lobby of the airport was filled with LE's / Fire / Family and PGR, along with the CAO's, we all got a chance to talk and share stories. We got a chance to talk with the whole family today - both happy and sad - for this was the first time the family would be with CW3 Windorski since he left for Iraq.

The tarmac was a site to see, as the plane rolled to a stop. The family stayed inside the lobby looking out through the plate glass windows. To the left was the Military Honor Guard next to the building, a little further out was the Fire Departments all lined up and all the fire fighters where out standing in front of the rigs with their hands over their hearts. To the right was the PGR with a light breeze blowing at our backs towards the aircraft. At the aircraft was the escort standing at attention. At the door of the lobby were CAO's Major Allen and Capt Forbes at attention.

CW3 Windorski was taken off the plane with dignity, honor and respect -- the honor guard walked out to the aircraft and gave our Hero a slow salute. Not one of us, meaning the whole tarmac could or would move. As the hearse moved off the tarmac, the honor guard gave a slow salute. At this point the family came out to meet Chris the escort --- very emotional. We moved back through the lobby and to our cars. The escort was magnificent -- LE lead the way through town and we had every street and Hwy blocked, Fire Rigs of every description brought us through town at a slow pace. Traffic on the south bound route came to a stop as the escort passed by -- some even put their hands over their hearts, and people walking on either side stopped and did the same, very humbling.

As the escort turned the corner, they saw our flag line lining the driveway to the Funeral Home. We were all lined up as the honor guard carried CW3 Windorski into the building and the family followed. We stayed outside for a while, and the funeral director came out and said that the family wanted some alone time with CW3 WIndorski and we could stand down. Which we did.

Later that evening, we had contact with the family again and they where so happy to see the comfort of the flag line, with all the emotions flowing at full throttle - they saw comfort in our flag line --- Yes you do make a difference, an awesomely BIG difference.

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Friday's Mission 06 FEB 2009

Visitation was at the Rowe Funeral Home. 40 PGR members met in front of the Funeral Home at 1430 hrs -- Had a short briefing and set our flag line in front of the building waiting for the family to arrive at 1500 hrs. The family arrived right on time --- so thankful and comforted by the flag line - they told me later. Our flag line stretched from the funeral home to the end of the block --- many thank-you's from visitors, horn honkers, and even had people stop and ask questions. At the end of visitation we re-formed our flag line on the side of the building where the family had parked and semi-circled the parking lot as they came out. CW3 Windorski's wife, said they were so thankful that we were there for them. Once the family departed, flag line was dismissed. Post mission gathering was at the Grand Rapids VFW.

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Saturday's Mission 07 FEB 2009 , Zion Luthern Church, Grand Rapids, MN

Staging started at 10:00 a.m. at the Home Depot parking lot. The weather was fairly nice until the wind kicked up and it didn't stop all day. That however, does not deter our PGR members from paying respects to a Hero.

I had the privilege of meeting some of America's / Minnesota's best people - the MN Patriot Guard - who came from all over the State to be here ---- Including some new members on their first mission. Approximately 130 PGR members came to pay respects to CW3 Philip E. Windorski.

Mission was conducted in 3 phases ---

First phase - at 1200 hrs the family left the funeral home with a full escort through Grand Rapids to the Church. PGR Flag line was set up on the Hwy and drive way leading to the Church's parking lot. We had a flag line for a block or better. With RC's/ARC's as safety officers, I got a call from both a family member and funeral director that they were on the way to the church. We then got half of the members out in the middle of a double lane ( center yellow turning lanes ). This was done very safely and with permission of LE -- who where in the escort. As the escort came into site Indian John and Doug gave a salute as they passed the flag line and up the driveway to the north parking lot to meet the honor guard.

The second phase: - there were two parking lots at the Church, and we had enough people to cover both north and south parking lots as friends and family arrived for the funeral. Once services started, flag line took a short break.

The third phase - All PGR members lined up in the north parking lot in preparation for full military honors, including a fly over by two military helicopters. It was a sea of red, white and blue. What a site to behold. CW3 Windorski was preceded out of the church by a bagpiper and military honor guard, followed by family and friends.

PGR Members surrounded family and friends for military honors, some in snow up to their knees on a small hill, right below the rifle squad.

George, Karla, Starr, Zots and I made are way to our way to stand behind the Pastor. The Pastor called us forward and George presented CW3 Windorski's wife, the PGR Plaque. Starr then presented CW3 Windorski's mother, with a PGR Plaque, and Karla presented the 3 children with teddy bears, as Zots and I held our flag's behind them. We stepped back and the Pastor gave the Benediction. After family and friends had gone back inside the church, flag line was dismissed. (Note: The family requested the plaque's be presented in front of everyone – this was healing for all of us.). The family was also given a folder with all the condolences from the national site printed out.

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Now the Thank You's --- If I miss someone, it is without intent

To the members of the MNPGR, without you this would not have come together. To Zots -- my wingman -- without you -- no way this would have turned out so nice. To Leadership - without your help and guidance - this would have been more difficult.

To the CAO's for all their work and patience. To the Fire Department escorts from Grand Rapids, Cohasset, Marble, Nashwauk, Coleraine, Bovey, and Keewatin. To Ken at Rowe Funeral Home / To Bob and Brent of GRPD with insight and work on everything. Pastor Lynn of Zion Lutheran Church. To all of our supporters -- Home Depot / Applebee's / Super 8 / VFW.

All of this is to Honor CW3 Philip E. Windorski, Jr. -- May this Hero rest in peace in Gods loving arms and may the family find comfort and support in their time of healing.

Philip will be missed and never forgotten

(@) Pictures from mission

(@) PGR National Thread

Thank You,

Don Adamson, RCIC