Dear "Wizard",
Wow, you are amazing. WE want to thank you, and all the others that were there for us........what you did for us will never be forgotten, you
know that. It has made our loss of John a lot easier to bear knowing that his "brothers" unknown to him during his life, came to give him a
hero's funeral.........there are some things we just can't find the right words for, and thanking everyone for what they did is one of those
times..........I can see by the pictures that were taken, that you really felt like a part of the family, and felt our pain, and I thank you for this. I
also am glad to hear that you made it back safely from Washington, DC, for the 20th year the group, Rolling Thunder, has taken to the
streets in support of US military members past and present. Please keep my son-in-law, John Suchy, (Tam's husband) in your prayers,
as he heads back to Iraq this Wednesday for another 4 months of duty after being home two weeks on leave............Wishing you peace,
and the best life has to offer, with many more good years of riding your Harley in the future.
Love,
Maureen and the family of John P. Sellung, your "brother"
5/15/07
The family and friends of John P. Sellung can not begin to express their Thank You's to all of you who sent messages of condolence to us
on our loss of John. The messages are so heartwarming, coming from those that didn't know John personally, but took time to help the
grieving family of a fallen "brother". My mom called me this morning, and said people are still coming up to her and mentioning what a
beautiful funeral service John had. So many also told me how wonderful it was, and the veterans, especially, were very moved by the
ceremony.
We would like to send a Special Thank You to the members of the Patriot Guard Organization who attended the service, especially to: The
Ride Captain, Don (Corporal) Strube, the Assistant State Captain of Central WI Region, who did a beautiful job in getting this organized.
State Captain of WI - John P. Curran, who also attended, and contacted Don Strube. And, to the PGR Contact, "Scoot" the original contact I
made, who replied within an hour to my request, and got the ball rolling with his contact to the WI Chapter. He also offered to find escorts
for Lynnanne if she decided to ride John's bike up from Wikieup, AZ to Edgar, WI! How awesome is that!
To the members of the Patriot Guard, American Legion Riders, Viet Nam Vet Riders, and Rolling Thunder, who participated in the Flag
Line, Final Salute to a Fallen Veteran, motorcycle ride to the cemetery, and flag line there. And to those same members who helped line
up cars and cycles at church, and who stopped traffic for the final procession to the cemetery, and held a flag line there.
To Mark D. Tilkens, a/k/a Wizard, President of Rolling Thunder Chapter 3 of NE Wisconsin, also a PGR member, who volunteered to give
Lynnanne, holding John's Urn, his last ride on a Harley, to the cemetery, and also transported Lynnanne back to church for the luncheon,
after the burial.
To the entire Patriot Guard Organization for the beautiful personalized Plaque that was presented to the family - it will always hold a
special place in our home, and will be handed down in the family.
We can never thank you enough for all you did for us. The turnout was amazing, and the Flag Line set the stage for what all was coming.
The Final Salute to a Fallen Veteran was so touching - there really wasn't a dry eye in the church. Also the Flag Line and salute as my son
Pat carried the Urn out of church, and my daughter Tamara carried the flag out to the Harley, (both are members of the Honor Guard, at
Wausau American Legion Montgomery Plant Post 10) as we waited for Lynnanne to get seated on the bike, was done with the utmost
respect and patriotism. I know there is a very special bond of "brothers" among Viet Nam veterans, a bond that goes deeper than deep,
and a very special bond between motorcycle brothers -- put those two together, and you have one powerful connection that can't be beat!
Thanks again, from the bottom of our hearts. You are all heroes to us!
Sincerely,
Maureen Borchardt, Lynnanne Fenton, Sandi Walters, Adeline Sellung, and the other family members of (Sgt.) John P. Sellung (USAF),
Viet Nam Veteran
Wow, you are amazing. WE want to thank you, and all the others that were there for us........what you did for us will never be forgotten, you
know that. It has made our loss of John a lot easier to bear knowing that his "brothers" unknown to him during his life, came to give him a
hero's funeral.........there are some things we just can't find the right words for, and thanking everyone for what they did is one of those
times..........I can see by the pictures that were taken, that you really felt like a part of the family, and felt our pain, and I thank you for this. I
also am glad to hear that you made it back safely from Washington, DC, for the 20th year the group, Rolling Thunder, has taken to the
streets in support of US military members past and present. Please keep my son-in-law, John Suchy, (Tam's husband) in your prayers,
as he heads back to Iraq this Wednesday for another 4 months of duty after being home two weeks on leave............Wishing you peace,
and the best life has to offer, with many more good years of riding your Harley in the future.
Love,
Maureen and the family of John P. Sellung, your "brother"
5/15/07
The family and friends of John P. Sellung can not begin to express their Thank You's to all of you who sent messages of condolence to us
on our loss of John. The messages are so heartwarming, coming from those that didn't know John personally, but took time to help the
grieving family of a fallen "brother". My mom called me this morning, and said people are still coming up to her and mentioning what a
beautiful funeral service John had. So many also told me how wonderful it was, and the veterans, especially, were very moved by the
ceremony.
We would like to send a Special Thank You to the members of the Patriot Guard Organization who attended the service, especially to: The
Ride Captain, Don (Corporal) Strube, the Assistant State Captain of Central WI Region, who did a beautiful job in getting this organized.
State Captain of WI - John P. Curran, who also attended, and contacted Don Strube. And, to the PGR Contact, "Scoot" the original contact I
made, who replied within an hour to my request, and got the ball rolling with his contact to the WI Chapter. He also offered to find escorts
for Lynnanne if she decided to ride John's bike up from Wikieup, AZ to Edgar, WI! How awesome is that!
To the members of the Patriot Guard, American Legion Riders, Viet Nam Vet Riders, and Rolling Thunder, who participated in the Flag
Line, Final Salute to a Fallen Veteran, motorcycle ride to the cemetery, and flag line there. And to those same members who helped line
up cars and cycles at church, and who stopped traffic for the final procession to the cemetery, and held a flag line there.
To Mark D. Tilkens, a/k/a Wizard, President of Rolling Thunder Chapter 3 of NE Wisconsin, also a PGR member, who volunteered to give
Lynnanne, holding John's Urn, his last ride on a Harley, to the cemetery, and also transported Lynnanne back to church for the luncheon,
after the burial.
To the entire Patriot Guard Organization for the beautiful personalized Plaque that was presented to the family - it will always hold a
special place in our home, and will be handed down in the family.
We can never thank you enough for all you did for us. The turnout was amazing, and the Flag Line set the stage for what all was coming.
The Final Salute to a Fallen Veteran was so touching - there really wasn't a dry eye in the church. Also the Flag Line and salute as my son
Pat carried the Urn out of church, and my daughter Tamara carried the flag out to the Harley, (both are members of the Honor Guard, at
Wausau American Legion Montgomery Plant Post 10) as we waited for Lynnanne to get seated on the bike, was done with the utmost
respect and patriotism. I know there is a very special bond of "brothers" among Viet Nam veterans, a bond that goes deeper than deep,
and a very special bond between motorcycle brothers -- put those two together, and you have one powerful connection that can't be beat!
Thanks again, from the bottom of our hearts. You are all heroes to us!
Sincerely,
Maureen Borchardt, Lynnanne Fenton, Sandi Walters, Adeline Sellung, and the other family members of (Sgt.) John P. Sellung (USAF),
Viet Nam Veteran
| The Patriot Guard was invited to attend the service, and about 4:30 most of them had arrived and were parked in the lot at church. The family was presented a plaque, honoring John. It stated: On Behalf of a Grateful America and the Patriot Guard Riders, Please Accept Our Sincere Condolences on Your Tragic Loss. May Your Pain be Tempered by the Knowledge that Sgt. John P. Sellung, USAF, Vietnam Veteran, is a True American Hero. PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS, "Riding with Respect" |
| Then, there was a small meeting, since it was not in their protocol to carry any passengers to the cemetery, due to liability. The Ride Captain, Don Strube, asked for volunteers who rode a Harley, to escort Lynnanne, carrying John's ashes, to the cemetery as individuals, and about 7 or 8 guys volunteered! The Honor went to Mark Tilkens, aka Wizard, and Weasel, on a cycle named Road Kill! |
| Service for Sgt. John P. Sellung, USAF, Vietnam Veteran - May 11, 2007 |