**Susan's Account**

[On August 22, 2006, a piece of the original limestone from the Pentagon that was salvaged from September 11, 2001 was transported by the Patriot Guard Riders from the Pentagon parking lot in Arlington, Virginia to Dodge City, Kansas... through 9 states by way of 10 PGR missions.  Susan had the honor of carrying this piece of limestone on it's first leg from the Pentagon to Shanksville, Pennsylvania.]

—ANNANDALE, VA — " Well, where do I begin? Yesterday was so incredibly moving and the thoughts that have been flying around in my head are a challenge to filter and put down in a manner in which all can understand - even me," Susan said.

TUESDAY, 22 August 2006, was a beautiful, but not quite as clear, day as the morning of TUESDAY, September 11, 2001. That has to be the first thing that registered with me yesterday. The second that occurred is that yesterday was Tuesday.

VA PGR met at the Iwo Jima Memorial and folks started arriving very early. Stage time was 9:15A, but many of us were there as early as 8:15A. The levity of what the day had in store for us was evident on everyone's face. Arlington County, Virginia police escort arrived at 9:30A, right on time and escorted us to the North Pentagon parking lot. While this was occuring, Frank Baranyi took the time to secure a chaplain for a blessing of the PGR and stone before we departed. The Pentagon Police were awaiting our arrival at the North Parking lot to keep us secure. I shook each officers hand and thanked them for being there.... just wish I had the forethought to have gotten their names so they could be properly addressed in this post. Apologies, fellas. You will always be a part of this mission.

Todd from the Congressman's office arrived with the stone.Two PGR moved it from his vehicle to mine into the box that Frank and his neighbor built specifically for this part of American history. Thank you Frank and Gary. The chaplain then blessed us, the stone, and the mission at hand and reminded us how important this stone is. While just a piece of limestone at first glance, when you think about it, it is just so much more than that. We all know this. With shaking hands, I laid my personal flag over the stone for the transport. It only seemed right and my fellow PGR agreed.

Departure from the Pentagon with Frank in the lead, onto the busy highways of the Washington DC area and then gracefully onto the roads of our urban neighbors in Maryland and Pennsylvania. Another symbolism of transition, if you will.

We joined up with a few of our fine MD PGR and Steve from MD and Frank of VA took the lead. We went through our day without incident. When we found our way onto the rolling roads of Pennsylvania, I could feel a "hush" over us all, even though you could plainly hear the bikes. We stopped just a couple of miles away from Shanksville to unfurl our flags for arrival into Shanksville. When we turned onto the small road that lead us to Shanksville, I turned on the National Anthem from Leahann Rhimes. By the time we arrived at the parking lot of Shanksville, Ray Charles' America the Beautiful was playing... don't know if anyone heard that or not.

The minute I crested the hill before I saw Shanksville, I welled up. You see, I've never been to Shanksville. I got my truck situated and all you could hear were the flags blowing the breeze. The PGR, all of us, brought out the flags that we had and the box lay covered in my flag. Steve from MD and I uncovered the stone and there was another resounding hush. The media was there, although I don't know from what stations or newspapers. They converged on the sight and took so many pictures, of which I am glad. Yesterday and the coming days of this mission can never be forgotten either.

Steve and I got the box out of my truck and gently laid it on the ground and more photos were taken. Then Frank, Steve and I carried it to the memorial stone at Shanksville that say's "Let's Roll". By then I was pretty much a mess, so I don't remember what the rest of it said. Bob Beck with PGR graced us with a beautiful prayer and blessing. Thank you, Bob - it was perfect.

Frank said some words, and as he described later, what he had intended in his brain, didn't come out - what was in his heart did. He asked if I had a few words and through tears and a very shaky voice (and behind sunglasses thank goodness!) all I remember saying is this, "There are no words to express the honor that I have had in transporting this stone today." and then something to the effect of, "The transportation of this stone from our nation's capital to the middle of our country goes to show that September 11, 2001 will NEVER and I mean EVER be forgotten."

And it won't. Ever.  Not by this average American girl.

And neither will yesterday. Ever.

The MD PGR and VA PGR then performed what I call the "Changing of the Guard of Stone" with the PA PGR and WV PGR. The 4 captains, 2 on either side, exchanged the box containing the stone. Then the PA PGR and the WV PGR and Joan carried the box to George's truck and loaded it into the back.

Leg 1 of Pentagon Stone Transfer: MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

After the transfer, my fellow PGR, Pete who was an integral part of the search and rescue at the Pentagon on that fateful day, helped me retire my flag that had draped the stone all day.  This flag is the one that I purchased on September 12, 2001 — the first American flag I have ever owned in my life.  It was flown for every occasion from September 12, 2001 until the morning of August 22, 2006.  It was only befitting to retire it at Shanksville, Pennsylvania.  It is still in the fold that Pete and I put it in at my home in a wooden case where it will remain.

After this ceremony, many of us heard the presentation from one of the ambassadors of Shanksville. She (and boy, I wish I could remember her name, but those of you who know me, know that I am not good at names!) was so appreciative of us, and us of her and for the other ambassadors that manage the Shanksville site.

We all know that there was so many other things that happened: feelings that were felt, commaraderie that was experienced, and worlds that were said, that like I wrote at the beginning are a challenge to filter and express in a way that is concise and understandable... even to me. All I know is this:

I will never forget September 11, 2001.
I will never forget those serving today to protect our precious freedoms.
I will never forget those who have served for centuries to secure our freedoms in the first place.
I will never forsake those that will serve in the future.

And I will never forget 22 August 2006 with the Patriot Guard Riders.

Always - Our Land is Free Because of Brave. And God Bless them All.

For information on the stone's final destination, visit www.visitdodgecity.org