Members and Associates,

In 2010 we suffered record numbers of casualties in the war on terror. More of our young men and woman fell on the battlefield last year than anytime since this war began. More return home with wide ranges of disabilities and fractured lives. Our servicemen and woman are being deployed repeatedly, some on their 5th tours in combat.

As a result, we are increasingly invited and requested to greet our Fallen Heroes returning, to ride escort and stand the flag line in silent gratitude. Our presence provides security from anyone or any group that may intend to disrupt the services or our grieving families as they say goodbye to their loved one who paid the ultimate price for freedom. Thank you for being there for them.

We now have around 50 members in leadership roles across the state, including 11 members of the Board of Directors NY. Our NY website team is adding info daily and continues to build a great base for us.

We have a new Help On The Homefront (HOTH) Director, Rick Juliano, who is preparing to contact those of you who previously offered to help serve our Wounded Warriors and their families. Rick and Ray Sestak are working hard to enable us to begin visiting our wounded and disabled Vets in VA hospitals across the state on a monthly basis. You will be contacted shortly to get on a team for visits / activities in your area. Lucy Christiano has led our people at the Northport VA hospital for some time now with great success. What a way to say thank you and let our Vets know we care and they are appreciated.

Our NY Veteran Recovery Program (VRP) has volunteers visiting funeral homes across the state, to locate, identify and make arrangements to inter our past, unclaimed, Forgotten Heroes from as far back as WW1. These Veterans were promised an honorable, final resting place by our government and we are making an effort to see that promise is kept.

Again this year it is my hope that all 9 regions would plan a simple Saturday or Sunday fundraiser. The funds are used to meet the needs of our Wounded and I speak for myself and the other 10 board members, not 1 dime will be  wasted. Last year in conjunction with the Blue Star Mothers, we also sent some live xmas trees and care packages over to Afghanistan. From food and clothing to home repairs and utility bills, we want to be able to help when a legitimate request comes in. Please consider setting a date aside now for later in the year. As they are scheduled, they will be added to our event calendar on the website.

In closing I am reminded of the question "why do we do what we do?".  I think of the faces of the Mothers and the Fathers, the Wives and children, when they see the flaglines and they know someone cares and they are not alone in their darkest day. The desperate requests that come in to shield them from despicable protesters. The Viet Nam Vets who were spit on upon returning and The Soldier who writes "if I don't make it, please be there for my family." My answer is we are honored to be there, it's the least we can do.

Thank you all for standing for those who stood for us. I am honored to serve with you.

Special thanks to Richard Getchel, a Pennsylvania Captain who answered the call and led the mission earlier this week for LCpl Aaron M. Swanson, 21, - USMC - KIA Afghanistan -Jamestown, NY . Richard has been there for us before and he proves there are no boundaries in the PGR.

If you have any questions or concerns, all of NY's leadership contacts, along with mission info can be found on the new website at www.PGRNY.org


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Dave Kern
NY State Captain