Patriot Guard Mission

[Desert Spyder]

My second mission will be in about an hour or so for a contractor who was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. The deceased is from my town. He may be the only Barstow resident thus far killed in Iraq/Afghanistan. The PGR will be escorting the deceased from Ontario Intl to Barstow. His services will be Tuesday.

[SpyderAnn01]

Thank you for riding with the Patriot Guard. Ride safe.

[SpyderSteve]

:congrats: I have been to 2 many of these for our Cdn Heroes

Thank A Soldier | Highway of Heroes (http://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&source=web&cd=10&ved=0CEcQFjAJ&url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.thankasoldier.net%2Fhighway.h tml&ei=Fh2yTayRNqbx0gHA4NSxCA&usg=AFQjCNG1M8adtJ4vF6dLOPKbPhgB35pfcw)

[Blue Star]

My second mission will be in about an hour or so for a contractor who was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. The deceased is from my town. He may be the only Barstow resident thus far killed in Iraq/Afghanistan. The PGR will be escorting the deceased from Ontario Intl to Barstow. His services will be Tuesday.

I was hoping you would attend this. I read about it today, and if I did not already have plans, would have been there too.

[Desert Spyder]

The irony of it is Bob, I just looked at his FB page and I think I remember this guy. He rode with the Ghost Riders here in town. Our circles intersected somewhere but I did not remember him when the word came out. I waited on the Dale Evans Dr overcrossing for 45 minutes for the procession to near me. The crosswinds were cold and about 25-40 MPH. Its funny how a Spyder acts in the wind: you're drifting quite a bit in your lane but you feel secure until a big one hits you....Traffic was heavy and they snuck up on my position though I was trying hard to spot them in the distance with some binoculars. I made a scramble to get my helmet and gloves back on to join the group who had a maybe 20 second head start on me. On a crowded freeway that was a lot. I safely (good thing I was ryding solo) caught up to the group not concerned about getting a ticket because the CHP was in front of me providing escort. Several hundred citizens lined the streets of Barstow with Old Glory whipping in the breeze in the secure hands of many, as the cavalcade of 50-60 motorcycles (and one Spyder) passed by their positions. I rode tailgunner playing a bagpipe version of Amazing Grace on my RT's stereo. I choke up every time I ryde THROUGH a flag line like this. Seeing scenes like this on YouTube is stirring enough. To be part of it is quite another.

[Papa]

I know what you mean. I had a mission for a 22 year old KIA recently and we drove past his high school on our way from the airport to the funeral home. The entire school was out lining the streets as we past by. Must have been 600 or more (reported) out there clapping as we went by. It was hard.

[Oldmanzues]

Thank you for being a member of the Patriot Guard. Always remember this Mission is another one for you, but the first for him or her.
I have been riding with the PGR almost since it began. I was going to keep count of the different mission, but after 50 or so, I decided not to. I do keep a folder for each year, to many sheets in each year. I am semi - retired so I go to as many as possible.
If it is cold, wet, hot or whatever, the thought come to mind, does it matter if I go or not? Then the thoughts come to mind of the Families coming up to say " Thank you so much. This means so much to know that somebody cared. " My reply is: It is my honor to be here. Thank you for allowing us to share your sorrow.
Yes. there is a reason that PGR members wear sunglasses.
Go the Ohio PGR site and click on the "see why we ride".
Oldmanzues
Oldsilverhondarider on the PGR site

[GI Jane]

Thanks to all of you who so honor our fallen comrades.

[Blue Star]

Thank you for being a member of the Patriot Guard. Always remember this Mission is another one for you, but the first for him or her.
I have been riding with the PGR almost since it began. I was going to keep count of the different mission, but after 50 or so, I decided not to. I do keep a folder for each year, to many sheets in each year. I am semi - retired so I go to as many as possible.
If it is cold, wet, hot or whatever, the thought come to mind, does it matter if I go or not? Then the thoughts come to mind of the Families coming up to say " Thank you so much. This means so much to know that somebody cared. " My reply is: It is my honor to be here. Thank you for allowing us to share your sorrow.
Yes. there is a reason that PGR members wear sunglasses.
Go the Ohio PGR site and click on the "see why we ride".
Oldmanzues
Oldsilverhondarider on the PGR site

Been to two missions for Veterans that have passed on, and shed a tear each time. I prefer the welcome homes much better :ohyea:

[Blue Star]

My second mission will be in about an hour or so for a contractor who was killed by a suicide bomber in Afghanistan. The deceased is from my town. He may be the only Barstow resident thus far killed in Iraq/Afghanistan. The PGR will be escorting the deceased from Ontario Intl to Barstow. His services will be Tuesday.

Since you will be retired soon (how blessed can one be?) sadly you will be able to do more missions.

[Love2Ride]

Only rode one mission myself. It's a hard thing to stand there and not lose it. :(
Awesome of you to do this. Be safe!

[Boriken]

I just completed my second mission this past Sunday for a 26 year old from Yardville, NJ who was KIA in Afghanistan.

[SSPSpyder]

Ride with respect - ride safe.

[Desert Spyder]

I just completed my second mission this past Sunday for a 26 year old from Yardville, NJ who was KIA in Afghanistan.

I'm not sure who or where the 8 other soldiers who were killed in the same suicide blast were from. Your mission was too early of course, but there'll be 8 more just like it this week. God bless these men!

[redlightron]

Any of these mission are hard on anyone. I was blessed to bring home a MIA on the 22, that was missing for 68 yrs and is now a KIA. I ride with the American Legion Motor Escort Team from Post 111 in Healdsburg Ca and we were joined by PGR, WWR and many other local riding groups. It was a fitting tribute for his ride home. God bless all of you who have serviced this county.

[Questions]

I too have been involved almost since the beginning. Although not really a pleasant experience, it still gives me a good feeling to give the deseased soldier a respectful burial and letting his family know he/she will never be forgotten. The welcome homes are our warm and fuzzy missions.

A proud PGR member and proud :spyder2: rider.

Jim