I have stopped receiving my email notifications.    With sadness I want to report to you and PGR that 1st LT Rob Welch was killed in a mortar attack yesterday in Afghanistan.   His parents live in Wylie.   We attend church with them at Central Christian Church in Richardson, Texas.  I have escorted a number of men home as part of PGR, but never thought I would be escorting someone so close.   Rob and my kids grew up together.  My son, a marine has completed his service and made it home safe.   My daughter, ARMY, spent two tours in Iraq herself and made it home safe.   Rob’s parents are Bob and Barbara Welch.   Bob is a retired US Army Colonel, and has been the head of the Military Support Group for Central Christian Church since its inception.    Bob did the swearing on for both of my kids.  We have sent dozens of our CCC youth into battle.  How ironic that his son is the only one that didn’t make it home.

Anyway, we are working with the Ft. Hood Casualty Assistance now to make arrangements to bring him home to DFW.   The plans are to bring him here, hold services at Central Christian Church in Richardson, and then to move him the DFW National Cemetery.   The family has or will request PGR to participate.   I have a flag bike, and plan to ride.   Any advice you can give me or the family would be appreciated.  
