The first relates to Special Forces Master Sergeant Simmons being laid to rest and the one just below this one relates to the city of Tallahassee turning it's backs on those who die for you and me.
Tallahassee is a state capital and this behavior is unconscionable. If you are outraged as others who are sick of sending our children off to war only to have our elected officials turn their backs on them when they come home crippled, emotionally scarred, and all to often to be laid to their final rest. Who then grab every opportunity they can to stand at a podium and voice their patriotism with their little lapel flag pins.
THEN USE THE LINKS BELOW TO LET THEM KNOW HOW YOU FEEL. You do not have to be from this area to voice your concern. You can be an American from anyplace in the world. Help us change Tallahassee know that their failure to support our troops disgusting. WE CAN MAKE THEM CHANGE FOR FEAR OF BEING VOTED OUT OF OFFICE IN EMARRASSMENT!
Send us you notes to and we will post them:
From Mike to the city commissioners:
As the north Florida leader of the Patriot Guard Riders, I would like the Tallahassee City Commission to direct the Police Dept. To provide a complete escort for fallen active duty military personnel. It is appalling that an escort is provided by the county for the FSU football team on Fall Saturdays, yet, when an American from Tallahassee gives his life for our freedom his family is offered an escort vehicle that will not stop traffic. Have we no respect? What is the city's official policy? If the reason is the cost: you've got to be kidding. Talk to the family about the cost. If it is liability: the football team is worth the liability but not the hero? Please notify me when this issue will be discussed as I would like to attend that meeting.
Mike Donohoe
Sr. Ride Captain, PGR
From Artie PGR rider in Georgia who paid respects yesterday:
While not a citizen of Tallahassee or even Florida, I sent them my 2 cents worth on my disappointment and embarrassment for their shameful showing of disrespect of our fallen hero. I was proud to block, at times recklessly, some of these idiots who were too busy going no where to take less than three minutes to silently pause to say thank you to a real hero. A hero who gave his life for the very luxuries and the gasoline that was powering their vehicles that they were using to disrespect him with. For shame Tallahassee, for shame.
July 13, 2008 7:25:00 AM ED(Artie risked his life to honor the life of a fallen soldier by almost getting nailed by disrespectful drivers)
And a new one:
While riding with the Patriot Guards, I was appauled and embarrassed of this fine great city, THE CAPITOL of FLORIDA...
Between the bikers and Master SGT. Shawn Simmons comrades blocking traffic, we were able to escourt this great hero to his final resting place...who by the way, has put HIS life in danger for 17 yrs of service for US AND OUR FREEDOM....only to come back a fallen HERO....It is totally unacceptable that we can not get law inforcement escorts for these somber events, it's hard enough on their families as it is,...you un-patriotic politicains need to WAKE UP AND SMELL THE HOMELESS!!!! I've been on memorial rides for local law enforcements who were killed riding thier motorcycles while NOT on duty,(and I was happy to do this) and there was always law enforcement escourts for that...he was your family, your brother...beside all the stuff that has already been written about this matter in which I totally agree, what kind of message are we sending to our children...This man, one of our own, OUR family, OUR brother got no such respect from law enforcement!!! He had a mother, a wife, a 10 year old son, and a 12 year old daughter...I would love to hear you politicians explain to them why Master Sargent Shawn Simmons just wasn't important enough to do the same for him...a military man is much more MY FAMILY, MY BROTHER OR SISTER...than local law enforcement but don't get me wrong...I respect the ones who are dedicated and help to keep our city safe but that is beside the point...I pay taxes but have no say in this...I DON'T THINK SO!!! These war time heros dead or alive...strive to make a difference, to keep our homeland safe and THEY DESERVE EVERY OUNCE OF RESPECT WE CAN MUSTER UP...my grandchildren will grow up in this rotten warring world....I am so greatful that Master Sgt. Simmons and others like him are fighting for America's safty, and freedom...SHAME ON YOU!!! YOU NEED TO SEND A BIG APOLOGY TO THE SIMMONS FAMILY, and answer for your actions or I should say non actions...they deserve it and you OWE it!!! I saw his weeping wife, son , and daughter...I WAS THERE...WHERE WERE ALL OF YOU????
hollywood Hey Hollywood, tell em what you really thinkAdd to Technorati Favorites
Between the bikers and Master SGT. Shawn Simmons comrades blocking traffic, we were able to escourt this great hero to his final resting place...who by the way, has put HIS life in danger for 17 yrs of service for US AND OUR FREEDOM....only to come back a fallen HERO....It is totally unacceptable that we can not get law inforcement escorts for these somber events, it's hard enough on their families as it is,...you un-patriotic politicains need to WAKE UP AND SMELL THE HOMELESS!!!! I've been on memorial rides for local law enforcements who were killed riding thier motorcycles while NOT on duty,(and I was happy to do this) and there was always law enforcement escourts for that...he was your family, your brother...beside all the stuff that has already been written about this matter in which I totally agree, what kind of message are we sending to our children...This man, one of our own, OUR family, OUR brother got no such respect from law enforcement!!! He had a mother, a wife, a 10 year old son, and a 12 year old daughter...I would love to hear you politicians explain to them why Master Sargent Shawn Simmons just wasn't important enough to do the same for him...a military man is much more MY FAMILY, MY BROTHER OR SISTER...than local law enforcement but don't get me wrong...I respect the ones who are dedicated and help to keep our city safe but that is beside the point...I pay taxes but have no say in this...I DON'T THINK SO!!! These war time heros dead or alive...strive to make a difference, to keep our homeland safe and THEY DESERVE EVERY OUNCE OF RESPECT WE CAN MUSTER UP...my grandchildren will grow up in this rotten warring world....I am so greatful that Master Sgt. Simmons and others like him are fighting for America's safty, and freedom...SHAME ON YOU!!! YOU NEED TO SEND A BIG APOLOGY TO THE SIMMONS FAMILY, and answer for your actions or I should say non actions...they deserve it and you OWE it!!! I saw his weeping wife, son , and daughter...I WAS THERE...WHERE WERE ALL OF YOU????
hollywood Hey Hollywood, tell em what you really thinkAdd to Technorati Favorites
rc...I have emailed the Sheriff, Commisoners, etc...about my disgust for their lack of help with Sgt. Simmons funeral...and pleaded for their help....lets keep this going...hopefully we will see Tallahassee Finests be just that while leading our fallen heroes thru the city streest of Tallahassee!!
ReplyDeleteTILEX
I left a comment reguarding this under the article about Master Sgt. Shawn Simmons death...
ReplyDeleteHOLLYWOOD
It's not just the City of Tallahassee but Leon County as well. This is an aabsolute disgrace and someone is going to get hurt while trying to do the right thing.
ReplyDeleteI'm anxious to see if the City Commission puts it on their agenda.
Let me know what I can do to help.
I was one of the bloackers and almost got run over by some woman at Gaines and Monroe that tried to go around me as I was sitting in front of her at the intersection.
ReplyDeleteI emailed the Sheriff and he responded: Dear David,
Please know that there is nothing I would feel more honored to do than provide an escort for M.SGT.. Simmons funeral. However due to insurance problems, and others presented by a local funeral home, we had to stop the service. For example, I did not provide one for my Mother, or for L.CPL. Daniel Chaires, a close friend. This is not something any of us wanted to have happen.
In addition to insurance problems, one local funeral home refused to work with us in trying to coordinate the number of funerals occurring at any one time.In example we were advised "they could do 20 on a Saturday morning" and that is what they would do and expect the service for each. If I could resolve the insurance, I could not resolve the manpower.
We offered the opportunity for off duty deputies to handle the escorts but they could not work out the insurance problems either. Some larger areas such as Jacksonville have enough volume that they can do it. We can't.
I asked the Tallahassee Police Department to assist us with funeral escorts and they refused.
We do not escort the FSU Football team from Thomasville. That is done by retired FHP Major Billy Smith. We join them near I-10 to help get them to the stadium on time. These are not the run red lights, stop signs, etc. most people think of. It is simply a "shadowing escort" to insure nothing occurs that will prevent them from reaching the stadium on time. Same for the referees under an agreement all ACC Schools have on this subject.
Sir I was a member of the USMC and hold our military heros in the highest esteem. Please know my heart is with you but the circumstances outlined preclude me doing the escorts.
Semper Fi,
Larry
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This is complete BS! They do not run red lights for the football team? Maybe I need to video that this season and throw it in the face of the sheriff. They can escort theor own, but not a fallen military hero? Without our military there would not be a land for law enforcement to protect! I think it is time to campaign against the current sheriff so the public can see him for the sorry POS he is.