Early Saturday morning, a real man, a true Patriot, and a member of the Patriot Guard Riders was on his way to take part in an Honor Guard Mission for WWII veterans on the Treasure Coast.  While on the way to that mission, Jack 'Angel’ Regan, a dedicated member of the PGR and a 'Ride Captain in Training’ was rear ended by another motorist on I 95 and very sadly killed.

Like so many regular citizens, Jack was not well known or famous outside of his circle of family, friends, and associates; but he should have been.

When not honoring fallen soldiers, veterans, police and firefighters, or doing any of the other other valiant and amazing work done by the Patriot Guard Riders, Jack and his wife Debbie were co-founders and operated Service Dogs and Warriors.com.  The sole purpose of this wonderful organization is to obtain and train service dogs for disabled veterans, police, fire-fighters, and others who are unable to afford the costs of obtaining one on their own.  Jack had an affinity for dogs, and the last one he trained, named Hank, was one he became particularly attached to and cried when he had to send him on.

For more information about Jack, Service Dogs and Warriors.com, or 'Hank’ and to make a donation if you choose to, you may visit the website here.

Everyone that knew Jack is mourning the loss of this great man, and one of the most touching letters I have received honoring him is this one from Mr. Richard ‘Whistler’ Little:

"Our brother and one of my closest friends Jack "Angel" Regan, was killed on I-95 @ 0300 hrs today. He was on his way to the 0400 Honor Flight Mission for our WWII veterans in the Treasure Coast.  I am deeply saddened and in tears by this and urge all to pray for him and his wife he left behind. Jack was one of the most caring, giving and honest individuals I have ever known...he will be sorely missed and always remembered.  We love ya Jack; Hank will miss you and never forget you.”

I did not have the privilege of knowing Jack 'Angel’ Regan, however I do know many members of the Patriot Guard Riders, what they do, and the kind of men and women they are, and I am honored to call them friends.

The Patriots Press joins all of the Patriot Guard Riders and the entire South Florida Community in saluting this amazing American Patriot.  

Rest in peace Jack 'Angel’ Regan, and enjoy that endless Heavenly ride.

Loving dad and husband, Patriot, great friend; all of these and a lot more describe Jason Shields.  If you had asked him for his proudest success and achievement, he would have told you without a moment’s hesitation about his two children and their love of Jesus.  Because that’s who Jason was; a devoted Christian, who above all else, loved God and his family.

I only knew Jason for about four years; however I was blessed to know him very well and was proud to number him among my very closest of friends.  We worked in the South Florida 912 and Tea Party movement together, stood on street corners with signs for candidates, talked to people about what is going on in our country and world, went to political events, attended church and prayed together a lot, and so much more.  

I can’t remember all the times we broke bread together or had a beer with mutual friends.  Even within the last year, Jason and I had some great times.  I remember when he was originally diagnosed with cancer back around 2010.  I remember it because for a while back then when things weren’t looking good, he and I talked about going down to a firing range and making some noise, and for the longest time it looked like we might never get the chance to do so.  Then, things turned around for a while and he was on the mend, and I said something like, “Shields, grab some guns, let’s go do some shooting while we can,” and we did; that was almost two years ago.

More recently still, last October, I helped Jason DJ a Halloween bash up in Jupiter, a week or so later on the day after Election Day a bunch of us; including me, Doug and Shannon Armstrong, and Jason and his wife Candi, took a walk on the beach in Lake Worth.  We all cried on each other’s shoulders over the results, Jason and I smoked a cigar, and we all found a bar just opening for lunch and enjoyed a cocktail together.  Just a few weeks after that, we were at his home for a holiday party on a chilly Florida evening with a fire pit blazing in the yard, and this past March, Jason and I replaced the brakes on Candi’s car.

The bottom line is that Jason Shields was the kind of guy that people just liked to be around.  He was full of life, loved everyone, and enjoyed every minute he could of his all too brief time here.  Even when the pain and discomfort must have been unimaginable for him, he never complained…because he was always busy making sure that everyone else was okay.  He did so with such grace. 

Jason Shields succumbed to cancer on Saturday, 9/7/13; he wouldn’t have wanted us to mourn, even though we will.  Jason didn’t die however, he simply got to be with Jesus before the rest of us, and that is something we can celebrate.  God bless you Jason Shields; knowing your legacy, I can’t help but think that you were welcomed into Heaven with a resounding “…well done, good and faithful servant.”

See you soon my friend.  

Colonel Bud Day, a man that served our nation proudly, and was among the very few to serve in WWII, Korea, and Vietnam; was a POW with John McCain, and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor among other medals too numerous to mention here, passed away this weekend. You may read the stunning citation of his Medal of Honor by clicking here. 

Over the coming days leading up to his burial, no doubt much will be said about this American Hero who always put America first; I feel it is important to note that he was a devoted husband and father, and a Christian whose faith never waned even during the darkest hours of his five and a half years as a POW.

In an interview last year with Lutheran Witness, he talked about how his faith carried him through; “I have been frightened many times.  I don’t make any excuses or apologies for that,” he said. “However, I experienced that there was physically a calm that God gave me in the midst of trouble.” 

Bud Day is survived by his loving wife of 64 years; his children, retired Air Force Capt. Steve Day, retired Air Force Lt. Colonel George Day, Sandra Hearn, Sonja LaJeunesse, and 14 grandchildren.  He will be laid to rest this Thursday near his home in Florida.

We at The Patriots Press join our entire nation in saluting this man and his service to our great nation.  Thank you for a job well done Colonel; rest in peace in the arms of our Lord.

Publisher's note:  Former Chicago Cop and well known actor Dennis Farina has passed away at the age of 69.  Rest in Peace Mr. Farina

Chicago Tribune:  Dennis Farina had the sort of Chicago neighborhood face you’d find behind the tap at a corner tavern, standing at first base on a softball diamond or lugging your new icebox up the stairs. As he said to a Tribune reporter nearly 20 years ago while sitting high above the city of his birth, riding the Navy Pier Ferris Wheel: “I spend all day walking around this city. I always come back here. This is where I’m comfortable.”

The actor — famous for his work in such films as “Get Shorty,” “Saving Private Ryan” and “Midnight Run,” and in television shows such as “Crime Story” and “Law & Order” — died suddenly Monday morning in Scottsdale, Ariz., after suffering a blood clot in his lung. He was 69.

Though he spent much of his time in warm climes, Farina still had a home here, the better to keep in close touch with family members and lifelong friends. They kept him grounded because they all knew what the TV-watching, movie-going public never could: Farina was self-effacing and shy at his core.

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