Memorial
Mission
Report
 

Today 51 Patriot Guard Riders and Patriots, riding 41 motorcycles, showed up at a secluded Maplewood State Park near Pelican Rapids to bring Honor, Dignity and Respect to the remembrance of SSG Joshua Hanson, KIA August 30, 2006, Iraq. You Patriot Guard Riders made a world of difference to Josh's family. We had Patriots from Kansas, North Dakota, and Minnesota and we even had one very special lady, a current soldier serving in Iraq who is home on leave, who came to Honor Josh. I am disgusted with myself for not remembering her name. She gave of her time from her 5 year old child to be here today and even more importantly, she is giving all of us her time to defend the Freedoms of our Country and to assist the people of Iraq in their hope to become a democracy of the people. The Riewer's, Gold Star Parents whose son SSG Greg Riewer was KIA, March 23, 2007 in Iraq, were also in attendance at Joshua's Memorial Dedication. The Memorial Dedication had to be delayed for approximately 1/2 hour because people were still arriving at the entrance to the park at the start time. Not a problem for Patriot Guards. Especially on this beautiful sunny and thankfully breezy Saturday afternoon. We have endured harsh weather for hours in the past so today was a blessed day for us to stand in Honor of Joshua. Our Flag Lines were up at approximately 1:00pm and we stood down approximately 3:30pm. Mission Complete.

David J. Woodward
ARC Detroit Lakes Sector
Minnesota Patriot Guard