Saturday, August 23rd, welcomed the Riders who attended Andrew's Mission with temperatures in the low 50's, windy and with an overcast sky and a hint of rain coming. At our staging in Park Rapids, MN, one of the passengers was so cold she was shaking. Of course weather is not a factor in what we do because 29 cycles, 1 cage, and a total of 34 Patriot Guards staged for the 14 mile ride to Camp Wilderness. Riders came from as far away as South Dakota and of course our brothers and sisters from North Dakota also joined MNPG for this Mission. Bill Brimer, Bemidji Sector, led us in prayer for our Mission at Camp Wilderness. LEO dropped the ball in not showing up to provide us escort protection from town to Co. Rd. 4 but those riders following me were experienced riders and road guarded in an excellent manner. Upon arrival at Camp Wilderness we dismounted and unfurled our Flags for the 1 mile ride down the gravel road to the parking area. Fortunately the Welcome building that was being Dedicated in Andrew's name was not that far from the parking area because I was unable to reach the Camp Director who had said he would provide vans to transport us to the site. Hence, we walked. Good exercise on a cold morning and low and below, Mother Nature blessed some of us with a fawn crossing the road in front of us and was soon followed by mom. My thoughts at that time were of a vision of Suzanne, Andrew's mother, following her son who she had raised without his father as he had died when Andrew was still a child.

Our Flag Lines were set for the 11:00am Ceremony by about 10:20am and then we were further blessed. The Sun came out and shown down upon the Memorial Dedication site and warmed our bodies and soles. Amongst the friends of Andrew were 7 or 8 of his buddies from Iraq who came to Honor him. They presented Suzanne a wonderful framed mural in Honor of Andrew which included some of his Military insignia that he would have worn as a member of the 82nd Airborne Division. Also present were many leaders from Boy Scouts of America including Andrew's Scout Master who also presented Suzanne with the plaque that will adorn Andrew's building and which told the story of our Fallen Hero. Since I did not receive our Patriot Guard Rider plaque prior to Andrew's Funeral Service, I never had an opportunity to present it to Suzanne so I presented it to her at this Memorial Dedication. Following the Ceremony, Suzanne and her "sons" from Andrew's 82nd Airborne Division walked the Flag Line and thanked one and all. Upon departure of the family and guests, we broke down our Flag Line and proceeded back to the cycles. We mounted our Flags and rode approximately 1 mile to the Administration Building and then we walked to the Chow Hall where an excellent luncheon was prepared by the Camp Staff.

Following the luncheon it was kickstands up for our following 66 mile ride to Mahnomen where we did a very special ride by of the Vietnam replica Wall and a Gold Dog Tag Memorial which had dog tags Honoring all of our Fallen Heroes since Vietnam. At both Memorials were the traditional Fallen Hero Boots, Rifle, Helmet and Dog Tags. The White Earth Veteran's Association Honor Guard stood midway down the East Wall of the Vietnam Wall and as, singularly, each Patriot Guard passed them they were saluted. At the center of the Wall, two White Earth Veteran Association Honor Guards stood with the traditional Eagle Feathered Staffs and as each Patriot Guard stopped at the Fallen Heroes Memorial Boots and Rifle, these Honor Guards gave a Native American Indian salute. After this Rider left the center Memorial and rode to the West end of the Wall, the next Rider would then start down the Wall towards the center. A very dramatic and special ride and recognition presented to each Patriot Guard Rider by the White Earth Veterans Association. As each rider reached the end of the Wall, they would turn around and ride by the Gold Dog Tag Memorial and stop at the Fallen Heroes Boots and Rifle, stop, salute and then ride on. A most heartfelt THANK YOU goes to the White Earth Veterans Association for taking the initiative to bring the American Veterans Traveling Tribute and the Traveling Wall to Mahnomen and for going all out to show the Honor, Dignity and Respect each and every Fallen Hero whose name appears in their Tributes for all Veterans since the Revolutionary War to the last Fallen Hero who has made the ultimate Sacrifice for our Country in our current War on Terrorism.

Missions complete.

David J. Woodward
ARC Detroit Lakes Sector
Minnesota Patriot Guard