We will be posting stories of Wreaths Across America experiences here. If you have a story you would like to share, please send it to Webbie.

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This was written by a PGR member from Virginia who is temporarily living in New Mexico and riding missions with us.

Dan Eckstein is his name, but we know him as Papi. His only request when I asked him if we could post this on our website was that this story be about LtCol Sumpter, and not about him. At the risk of not keeping my word, I will say that people like Papi personify what the Patriot Guard is all about.

Thank You for telling this story Papi.

A Hero

Lt Col Thomas W. Sumpter, USAF

Like so many of us in the PGR . . . our dedication has roots that go back to Vietnam and the 1960's. I volunteered to go and arrived in 1968, complete with a full head of hair and a firm belief that we were there for the good of our nation. A few months later, I wasn't so sure. . .but nothing deterred me.

Also in 1968, I purchased one of the first ever POW bracelets, in honor of a soldier named Lt Col Thomas W. Sumpter, USAF. I knew nothing of this man other than he served his country and went Missing In Action in Jun of 1967. He was soon declared a POW. I would learn later that he spent the next 5 years at the mercy of his captors, but unfortunately, his captures had little mercy to give.

I wore the bracelet for the next 30 years, finally putting it away in the late 1990's when it became so worn, it caused a rash on my arm. I never heard what happened to Lt Col Sumpter and the internet was in its infancy then, so research was rather difficult. Life priorities were consumed by work, family, and 401ks.

Finally, in 2003 I was able to find a short synopsis of his story and learned that our POW was actually shot down by 2 Migs while flying a mission near Laos in an EB-66c. Three other crew members were captured with him - only 1 was rescued. I also learned that Lt Col. Sumpter did come back home during the POW release in 1973. Sadly, I also learned that he passed away in Feb of 1995 but I was surprised and excited to learn that he and his wife had been living in Albuquerque for a long time. The same town I grew up in. I suspected his widow may still be there, so the search was on.

Just the other day, I found her address and phone number, so I called her and she invited me over to chat. What a sweet and wonderful lady she was. We chatted for 2 hours and she told me a great deal about her husband.

Amazingly, an anonymous researcher has just sent the following picture of her husband right after he was captured. She got this picture just a couple weeks before I contacted her.

One of the most moving things she shared was the last note she got from Thomas while staying at "Hanoi Hilton"; after his captures finally let the POWs write home (part of the peace negotiations). This is that note. It may be hard to read here, but one the last lines reads: "You and the kids are the most important thing in my life and your happiness is my main concern from now on."

Of course, the greatest moment of their lives was the day he was able to return home.

Although he was still in a lot of pain from the torture he endured while a prisoner, he elected to stay in the Air Force and continued to serve his country for several more years.

When Mr. Sumpter finally passed away in 1995, he received full military honors and was buried at the Santa Fe National Cemetery. Now that I knew the rest of his story, I figured it was time to put some closure on my own story. It was time that I personally pay my respect to this great American hero.

So I decided to make the 2008 Wreaths Across America the time and place to honor his service, his sacrifice, and his passing. Ditto and I road with the NM PGR up to Santa Fe

It was a cold but beautiful day for honoring our fallen soldiers. There was a good turn out and a lot of people that participated. I was especially moved to see the children placing wreaths, writing down names, remembering these heroes.

While we were waiting for the things to kick-off, I decided to wander over to the section were Lt Col Sumpter was buried. It took a while to find the grave, but then, there it was - - 40 years of history, staring me right in the face. The man I carried on my wrist for so long was right there before me. As you might suspect, the tears were hard to hold back.

Soon it was time to gather the wreaths and begin laying them at their proper places. I took a wreath from the huge pile and walked back over to the grave of Lt. Col Sumpter and placed it at the headstone. I wanted it to look perfect.

I then removed my POW bracelet from my pocket and gently placed on top of the headstone. I tucked a copy of his POW capture photo with the wreath, so other would know.

I then stepped back and gave this hero a long deserved salute and thanked him for all he had done, all he had sacrificed, and all he endured for this nation. This time there was no holding back the tears.

As I stood there, I remembered a time long ago when I wondered WHY - why were men were sacrificing so much? Today I am glad that I fully understand and I am humbled by their service and the freedom they fight and die for today.

And so, 40 years later I was finally able to properly honor Lt Col Thomas Sumpter and pay my respects. On this day he was honored but he will never be forgotten . . .

Thank you for your service Lt Col Thomas W. Sumpter.

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Here is a story from me. It was an emotional day, since every time we are at Santa Fe there is really no time to look around and see who is buried there. Here is my story. -Potsie

On Saturday, December 13, 2008 a group of patriotic New Mexicans descended on the Santa Fe National Cemetery to pay our respects to those who had served their country and in some cases given their all. This year we increased our participation in the Wreaths Across America program, which takes place on the same date at National Cemeteries all across America. It started at Arlington National Cemetery and has over the past few years expanded to include National Cemeteries everywhere. This was the first major Help on the Homefront project for the New Mexico Patriot Guard Riders, and in all senses of the word, it was a success. Wreaths began coming to Santa Fe 2 years ago, and that year there were 5 wreaths commemorating all of the services. Last year there were somewhere in the neighborhood of 50. This year, with the increased participation by the PGR and other groups, that number was raised to over 1700. We were able to make a difference, and that is nothing short of amazing.

Although there are over 44,000 graves in Santa Fe National Cemetery and we barely scratched the surface, while we were there we came across an almost forgotten section of the cemetery. There are several graves there marked as Unknown from the mid to late 1800s. The first American Governor, Charles Bent, is also buried there in that section. (Those who were in that section with me got an impromptu history lesson when we saw that one.)

There are Navajo warriors, children, and even a Medal of Honor recipient from the Indian Wars.

This section of the cemetery is the furthest section from the entrance to the cemetery, and we originally found it when we were placing wreaths in honor of each of the MoH recipients.

I have thought about those unknowns since I first saw them. No one is truly unknown. There was someone, somewhere, who missed these men when they left home and never came back. Somewhere, there was a family who never saw their loved one again. Somewhere, a family wondered every day when their father, brother, or son was coming home. Chances are they passed on themselves before ever finding that closure. It makes me sad to think that these men fought and died for their country and no one knew who they were. It breaks my heart to think that they now lie in eternal rest under a headstone that doesn’t even bear their name. And I realize that there is no way to identify these heroes, so in lieu of a CSI-style investigation, we will make it our solemn vow that even though they are known but to God, WE will never forget them. Every year we do Wreaths Across America, we will make sure we visit that section of the cemetery and pay our respects. We will not forget. We cannot forget. Men like these are the reason there is an America today, and we would be remiss if we didn’t remember them.

I also want to share with you the story of U.S Army Col Robert Sheldon Scott. His was the first wreath I laid on the 13th, and I vowed to learn what I could about him. His grave stone indicated not only that he was a Medal of Honor recipient, but also that he served in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam. He was awarded the Medal of Honor for heroism July 29, 1943 at Munda Air Strip, New Georgia, Solomon Islands. As I researched his Medal of Honor citation, I learned that he received the MoH during WWII, yet continued to serve for several more years, and 2 more wars. Following is the citation:

After 27 days of bitter fighting, the enemy held a hilltop salient which commanded the approach to Munda Airstrip on New Georgia Island. Lieutenant Scott advanced with the leading platoon of his company to attack the enemy position, urging his men forward in the face of enemy rifle and machinegun fire. He had pushed forward alone to a point midway across the barren hilltop within 75 yards of the enemy when the enemy launched a desperate counterattack, which if successful would have gained undisputed possession of the hill. Enemy riflemen charged out on the plateau, firing and throwing grenades as they moved to engage our troops. The company withdrew, but Lieutenant Scott, with only a blasted tree stump for cover, stood his ground against the wild enemy assault. By firing his carbine and throwing the grenades in his possession he momentarily stopped the enemy advance using the brief respite to obtain more grenades. Disregarding small-arms fire and exploding grenades aimed at him, suffering a bullet wound in the left hand and a painful shrapnel wound in the head after his carbine had been shot from his hand, he threw grenade after grenade with devastating accuracy until the beaten enemy withdrew.

Col Scott lived to the age of 85, under the blanket of freedom he helped provide. In the end, that is really all any veteran wishes to do: survive long enough to enjoy the result of your blood, sweat and tears. Col Robert Sheldon Scott is a true American hero, and a member of the Greatest Generation. Were it not for men like him, there is no telling where we would be right now.

We have big plans for next year. While 1,700+ is a good number and a vast improvement on the past few years, our goal is to eventually sell enough wreaths to cover each and every grave in the cemetery. A lofty goal, I know. It will involve raising over half a million dollars and several hours to place the wreaths. While lofty, it is not unreachable. We need the help of each and every member to make this goal a possibility. I know we can do it.

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