An Honor...

This post is unlike any other post I've written. Last night I had the honor of welcoming home an American Hero and I thought I would share what it felt like from my point of view.

Here's a little background: my DH is part of a group called Patriot Guard Riders (PGR for short). It's a national organization that takes part in welcome home and good-bye ceremonies for our troops, as well as escorting (at the request of families) home those who gave their all for our country. Because of Scott's work schedule, he can not make all the trips but tries to get to those local when he is off work. Well, last night was one of the times he (as well as me and Lucas) was able to take part in honoring a fallen soldier from the Korean War. He was finally able to be identified and brought home. Below are just my thoughts about what I experienced...

The PGR ride e-mail was sent out on Friday but we didn't receive the request until Saturday morning. I let Scott know at work and since he worked until 4:00pm, I figured he would be interested in participating. Scott got home and I asked him if we could go with him and that Lucas and I would be happy to come along to carry the flags in the van and follow the group. He said that would be great.

So, we met at the funeral home and we got to meet many nice guys who are part of the PGR. They were so great with Lucas too! One of the guys, Little Mike, actually thanked Scott for bringing Lucas which I thought was very nice.

Cpl. S.'s family requested that all of us sign the guest book at the funeral home, which I thought was a beautiful gesture, so we did that and then got the bikes ready to go to the airport. There were about 14 or so PGR members that rode behind the hearse and 2 limos that carried the family members in it. I drove the van and was last in line.

We arrived at the airport and entered the side entrance, not the main gate. We were told to park in a little area just in front of the security gate. We parked and congregated to receive the plan. We were told we were allowed into the secure zone to be right by the plane when they removed Cpl. S. from the plane. It was so very emotional.

The airport personnel, as well as one of the airport's 'big guys' really impressed me. They stood there at the ready and were so respectful - even before the coffin was unloaded, they stood there with their arms behind their backs silently waiting to do their job.

We then received US flags to hold as the coffin was being unloaded and the military (I believe they were ROTC but not sure - they looked so very young) and PGR began their salutes. We stood at attention as the military took the coffin and walked it to the hearse. Lucas, even though he was cold, was a real trooper. He stood there very quietly and saluted as well. We are so very proud of him!

We walked behind the hearse back to the parking area where everyone got in line and we began the procession back to the funeral home. Lucas kept asking where Daddy was and I told him he was up in the front of the line with the other PGR members. He only asked that a couple times since he was entranced by the lights and sirens of the police car that was just behind us as part of the procession back to the funeral home. What I thought was a nice gesture, was that the two officers who assisted in the procession, after all of us were safely in the parking lot, parked their vehicles and stood at attention while the military removed Cpl. S. from the hearse and the PGR were holding the flags saluting. Lucas and I stood back where the police officers were since there was limited space under the parking structure. After the coffin was brought into the funeral home, the family proceeded behind and the doors were shut. At that point, it was time for us to head home.

I can not tell you what this experience meant to me. I witnessed something many of the general public do not experience. I do not think there was a dry eye anywhere. Finally to be home where he belongs, Cpl. S. received a quiet but honorable hero's welcome home. I am so very thankful that I was able to take part in this. We plan to attend many more PGR rides in the future. This is the very least we can do to honor/remember those who have served our country bravely.

Thank you for reading - I know this was long - but I just had to write. From the warm welcome by the PGR to being given the honor of attending Cpl. S.'s homecoming, it is something I know I will never forget.

I would encourage any and every one to look into and possibly join their local PGR. You do not have to own or ride a motorcycle to be a member. And it is a way of giving back to those who have given so much to us.

I truly hope many of you will at least consider becoming a member. You will be forever changed. God's blessings to all of you on this beautiful Easter Sunday and every day.

PS: Cpl. S. will be laid to rest tomorrow. We are hopeful that we will again be joining the PGR to escort him to his final resting place at our local national military cemetery.

Happy Easter

Wishing You and Yours
A Very Happy Easter!

God's Blessings to You
Today and Every Day!

Thank You for Being
Such Wonderful Family
and Friends!

Happy Easter,
Love,
Scott, Gina and Lucas

Honduras Mission Trip

Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I command you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.

- Matthew 26:19,20

Our nephew, Chris, will be joining his church group for a mission trip to Honduras. We are very proud of him and the work he will be doing to spread God’s word and love. Please read the following information and if you are led to donate, please contact me (Gina) at missiontrip2009@yahoo.com. Thank you for your prayers and support in any way possible.

If you would like to learn more about the Sandy Bay Lighthouse Ministries (SBLM), where Chris will be outreaching, please visit: http://www.sandybaylighthouseministries.org/

A Message from Chris:

I am very excited to tell you that this summer I get to carry out Jesus’ command to spread the Gospel to the nations. The youth group I am involved in is connected with a children’s home in Honduras – a place where abandoned or neglected children get a chance to be safe, receive bilingual education, be provided for and most of all, learn about the love of Jesus Christ. This is a new opportunity for me as it will be my first mission trip out of the country. I am very excited to see what God has in store for me and feel called to go advance God’s kingdom.

My first and foremost reason is to serve the people of Roatan, Honduras. On the outside, Roatan looks like a well-developed tourist island but travel less than 5 minutes inland and your first impression will disappear. The people there are stricken with poverty and in desperate physical and spiritual need. I want to be a light to these people and display a James 2:16 mentality. My second reason for wanting to go minister to the people of Roatan is to grow my own faith and bring me closer to Christ.

We will be taking part in light construction, painting and cleaning up of the staff housing at the SBLM Children’s Home. We will also distribute clothing and humanitarian aid to the disadvantaged, and pray, play, teach and laugh with the children living at the Children’s Home. Most importantly, we will provide a Gospel outreach through a puppet show for neighboring communities.

I am asking for prayer and support in any way possible. Our team will be working together over the next few months getting to know each other’s strengths and weaknesses as we prepare and raise funds for this trip. We will be in Roatan from August 1-8, 2009. Please pray that we focus on seeing each other’s strengths and how to best utilize them. Please also pray that through this trip, I may stay focused on the Lord’s work and that those who hear the Gospel will respond by repenting and putting their faith in Jesus Christ. I would also appreciate prayers for safety and for the completion of our mission. As we return, please pray that our “normal” lives are impacted and even transformed with all of the lessons we have learned in Honduras.

In addition to prayer, I need to raise approximately $1500.00. Please prayerfully consider making a donation to this cause. If you choose to make a donation, please contact my Aunt Gina at missiontrip2009@yahoo.com and she will be happy to e-mail you the information needed to make a tax-deductible donation. Thank you in advance for any and all support you can provide. I sincerely appreciate it. God’s blessings to you. - Chris B.

Again, thank you so very much for taking the time to read this request and supporting Chris spiritually through positive thoughts and prayer and/or financially through your tax-deductible donation. May God bless you and shine His love upon you.

Favorite Foto Friday - BEACH!

This week's FFF theme is 'Beach'. When Lucas was just a little over a year old, we went down to visit MomMom & Poppa, ChaCha & Uncle Boog, and Uncle Rock. At first, I don't think Lucas was too sure of the beach. It wasn't the easiest for him to navigate, especially since he was just beginning to walk unassisted. Here is Lucas with MomMom (my Mom) trying out walking on the beach. Goodness, I've forgotten how little he was!! Sorry these next ones are so small. I can't figure out why they're that way. I'm guessing they were saved differently that the others. Though it's small, here is Lucas walking on the beach with his ChaCha (my sister) in 2008. I figured the name 'Aunt A' wasn't cool enough for my sister, so she is ChaCha. He loves his ChaCha!!
My little guy playing in the sand. He was so much more at ease playing on the beach & walking in the sand. His favorite thing to do was to collect shells. Needless to say, we came home with a big box of shells from the beach.

And here is my little model. He looked so cute in his 'Harley-Davidson' t-shirt and swim trunks! I bet this year, we'll have a tough time getting Lucas OFF the beach! It's amazing how much he has changed in a few short years!