I First Heard About the PGR from a Sales Rep That Calls on Our Stores, He Came in the Office

I grew up in Oakdale being the youngest of five girls and one brother 10 years my junior. I have been married to the love of my life, Curt, for 47 years. I have two sons, Curt and Dan, and 4 grandchildren, two girls and two boys. We have lived in White Bear Lake for the past 23 years.

I work at Knowlan’s Super Market dba Festival Foods for the past 42 years working my way up the ranks from cashier to my present position in the Category Management Department.I have worked in every department and managed the store during my position of Front End Manager and Scanning Coordinator.

I first heard about the PGR from a sales rep that calls on our stores, he came in the office one day and said, “Kathy, you ride a bike, you should join the Patriot Guard. Check out their website and you’ll learn all about them.” I immediately called Curt and asked him to look it up. When I got home that day, I signed us both up, and here we are today.

I joined the PGR in March of 2010 and have tried to be present at every mission possible considering I still work full time. I knew from the beginning that I had found my calling. I never would have imagined that I would make such a difference in people’s lives just by standing there, whether it is at the entrance to the parking lot or opening the door for them. Being on the line is my main purpose in the PGR.

I feel so proud to stand for the troops and their families, whatever the mission, from deployment, homecoming, MIRT, or the most difficult of all, the funeral. They need us in all aspects of their service, for us to be free. That is the least we can do for them.

I do not know all the guidelines of the PGR since my only role has been to stand in the line, but I feel with the assistance of the other board members answering any questions I may have, I will quickly learn the knowledge needed for being a strong board member. I am a good listener, think things through before acting on them, and believe I will proudly serve the PGR.

I would like to be considered for the opening position of board member. I feel I would conduct myself in the best interest of our service members, after all, they are the reason we are the PGR.

Thank you for your consideration,

Kathy Schneider