A letter to all members

This is an e-mail Ken sent out yesterday. He gave permission to put it on this forum. It speaks volumes. BA
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Hey Dogs,

At our last meeting there was a lot of discussion about the identity of our club and what do we want?

I was going through emails from times gone by. I found one that kind of says it all. This was sent to friends of the person that wrote the words. It was as follows:

To friends and family,
Yesterday I had the privilege and honor of being a part of 2 extraordinary events that I feel the need to share with you. As many of you know Ken, and I, are members of the Texas chapter of the Devil Dogs motorcycle club. The club is made up of current and former Marines who share a love of riding bikes and the brotherhood of their common bond of being Marines. I get to be a member by being a wife!

The group has been involved in showing support to the families of fallen Marines by visiting with families, attending memorial services, and providing escort for the bodies of the ones coming into the airport for transport to the funeral homes. As you know the recent helicopter crash that killed 31 Marines was a tragic event.
Several of those on board were from the Dallas area. Ken attended the funeral on one on Friday. Saturday was the funeral of the pilot and the same day a young Marine came in to DFW airport.
He was from Irving. On Saturday I decided to take part, with Ken, in attending the funeral of the pilot, Captain Gordon, and to take part in the escort of the young Marine from Irving.

Ever since this war began I have been secretly thankful that I have no one directly in my blood family who has been involved in this war. I knew no one until Andy and Jim of the Devil Dogs club who have children over there. Yet, I have always wondered if there was some way to be involved in "doing something". It seems during world war 2 that everyone in America was involved in some way whether is was working in the airplane industry or rationing or whatever but everyone played a part. It isn't that way now and it just doesn't seem right that our children are over there fighting, and dying, and we here at home just go on about our everyday business. Yesterday I felt like I was finally able to contribute something by showing support and recognition for these wonderful young men who gave their life for a cause they obviously believed in and volunteered to do.

I was so proud to be a part of the group in attendance at Captain Gordon's memorial service. His father noted that just before his son died, he told them in a phone conversation that they should not listen to the news here at home because he believed in what they were doing and the people of Iraq were so appreciative of them being there, wanted them there, and were very thankful. Then to be a part of the escort group for the young Marine from Irving was just so inspiring. Just before we left the funeral home, after the escort, as I hugged his father and mother, she said "thank you" as she cried. Of course the thank you was for all of us, but I felt so proud that I was a part of something that brought at least a little bit of comfort to her. I will never forget the face of captain Gordon's mother as Ken hugged her after the memorial service, as she was so appreciative of our presence, and the face of the mother of the young Marine from Irving as we all stood in the back of the funeral home as her son's body was being taken inside.

If you ever have the opportunity to attend services for anyone who has died in this war, I encourage you to do so even if you don't know them. Tell them "thank you" for the service of there son. You will never be sorry and you'll feel like you have at least been able to show support and recognition for the sacrifice they made.
I can't think of even 1 thing that would have been more important for me to do on Saturday. By the way, the memorial service for the young Marine from Irving is this Tuesday.
janice

I read this letter, and thought of the funeral services I went to. Not as many as some, but as many as my schedule would allow. It is truly an awe inspiring moment.

I heartily agree that this is a worthwhile endeavor for us as Marines. I would hesitate to make this our mission, as the Patriot Guard already does this so well. Unless we limit ourselves to Marines, be they Iraqi vets or just prior service vets. What does anyone else have to say on this matter?

Doug