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Cpl Christian S. Cotner, 20, Waterbury, CT

the email left out the date. the link above goes directly to the mission info at the PGR Forum.

it is this saturday, June 7.

Good job.. posted the necessary info in the proper place.

Az PGR stood in honor of Officer Eric Hite Tucson LEO killed in the line of duty on Sunday June 1st. This is the largest funeral I have ever attended. Law enforcement people from every point in the state of Az were in evidence today. The funeral procession led by a large contingent of motor cops took nearly forty minutes to pass.

There were many local Tucsonans in evidence along the route waving flags and standing silently as the motorcade passed from the church to the cemetary.

Hot weather but always an honor to stand and recognize an American hero.

Heres to the memory of Officer Eric Hite 21 year AF veteran and four years with the TPD.

Rest In Peace.

For those of you who happen to venture up to Laconia for bike week please stop in and visit the PGR's booth . I went up Wednesday to set it all up and we've scheduled members to man the booth through out the balance of the week . If you have any questions as to what we're about this is where you'll get your answers . I'll be back up there Saturday afternoon .

Hey Guys and Gals
Anybody going to the Gathering of the Guard in Danville Virginia weekend after next. Im gonna be there on my 05 America and helping out with registration and other things.
Later Tim

Will be travelling up the Blue Ridge enroute to Watkins Glen that weekend. Not a very disciplined schedule but may be able to swing by Danville.
SteveB

From CT PGR State Captain:

CONFIRMED ***Honor Mission*** Lt. Thomas J. Brown, Shelton, CT THURSDAY, OCT 2nd

Lt. Thomas J. Brown, who grew up in Shelton, died Tuesday, Sept. 23rd in Salman Pak, Iraq.

We thank you for your service and ultimate sacrifice for our country and our way of life. Rest in peace Lt. Brown.

Thursday October 2nd 11 AM at St. Jude Church 707 Monroe Turnpike Monroe.



Staging times and area to follow shortly.

Final Staging

Thursday, October 2nd

Shopping Plaza (across from McDonalds)

390 Monroe Turnpike, Route 111, Monroe, CT

1000hrs

KSU 1030hrs



Directions:

I-95 North or South to exit 27A, follow Rt. 25 North to Route 111. Make a right onto Rt 111, 2 miles up on left side, in the shopping center parking lot opposite McDonald's.


Rt. 15 (Merritt Pkwy) North or South, take exit 49 N (north) which is 25N to Route 111 right on route 111, go 2 miles up on left side, in the shopping center parking lot opposite McDonald's.


I-84 E/B & W/B to exit 11. End of exit at traffic light make a right to next traffic light and take another right onto Rt 34. Take Rt 34 to Rt 111 and make a right onto Rt 111. Take Rt 111 approximately 10 miles south to shopping center on your right, opposite McDonalds.



Weather details for Thursday, October 02
Mix of sun and clouds, highs in the mid 60s and lows in the upper 40s.



Regards,



Bob “Airwolf” Stone

Patriot Guard Riders

Connecticut State Captain

mission accomplished.
thank you CT PGR and
out of state members.

SGT William E. Hasenflu
Fort Campbell to Cadiz, KY
07 Oct 08


http://www.patriotguard.org/ALLForums/ta...41/Default.aspx

Staging Tuesday 8:50 AM at Gate 7 Fort Campbell.
Is a large parking lot there so won’t be going on base.

Will be escorting from Fort Campbell to Cadiz KY.

Goodwin Funeral Home Inc
138 Main Street
Cadiz
Kentucky 42211
Phone: (270) 522-6676

This hero will then be processed through Goodman funeral home & taken to his residence.
SGT William E. Hasenflu will be buried at sea in the near future at Norfolk, VA.

This is the only thing PGR will be doing for this Hero till he goes to VA.


Ride Capt: Pam Wynn / pamwynn@yahoo.com

Final Itinerary
PFC Bill Thorpe, United States Army
Newbern, TN
23 Oct 08



It is with a heavy heart that I must post Tennessee has lost another American Hero, PFC Bill Thorpe of Newbern, TN passed away October 21, 2008

He is survived by his wife Marilynn, two sons, and two daughters.


Final Itinerary:


Funeral: Thursday October 23, 2008 at 1000 hrs. CST (10:00 am)
Johnson Williams Funeral Home
239 East Main Street
Newbern, TN 38059

Interment: with military Honors.
Cobbs Chapel Cemetary
Union City, TN

Staging: Staging will be at the funeral home in Newbern at 0900 hrs (9:00am). From there, the escort will be approximately 20 miles to the cemetary.

Mission thread;

http://www.patriotguard.org/Forums/tabid/61/postid/1001855/view/topic/Default.aspx

Ride Captain: Pending

Please bring flags if you have them. Come and assist us in standing in Honor of this American Hero.

Ride/Drive Safely,



Scott Zeitner
Assistant State Captain, Tennessee
Patriot Guard Riders
www.patriotguard.org
1-901-848-2188

Send Off Escort - 168th MP Battalion - Dyersburg, TN 27 OCT 08 Monday

http://www.patriotguard.org/Forums/tabid/61/postid/1002555/view/topic/Default.aspx

The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to escort the members of the 168th Military Police Battalion. They are being deployed as part of the Global War on Terrorism and Operation Iraqi Freedom.

We will be provided LEO escorts the entire route from Dyersburg to the Memphis airport.

This will be an escort mission. If you have big flags, bring them, we will try to keep THP at or below speeds that will accomodate the large flags.

STAGING AREA Dyersburg:


Meet at the Dyersburg Walmart parking lot(near the walmart gas station)
at 6:45 - 7:15 AM. KSU at 7:30 to the Armory(5 minutes away).

Depart from Armory: 8:00 AM - -
Dyersburg PD and Dyer County Sheriff's Dept will escort and hand-off to THP.


Staging area Millington: Please bring your 3 x 5 flag. We will stage at the Circle K approximately 1/4 mile north of Jakes Outpost on Highway 51. It is on the southbound side. Staging at 8:00am, KSU probably around 8:45 depending on when the riders from Dyersburg roll through. This group will melt into the procession on the roll.


Ride Captains will be Bill Van Zant for the Dyersburg area b_van_sant@yahoo.com

and Scott Zeitner, capt_whizbang@hotmail.com 901-848-2188.

I have an extra PGR flag that we will give to the unit. I am going to ask that each soldier sign that flag, and when we bring them home, we will fly it proudly for them, and then return it to the unit.



Scott Zeitner
Assistant State Captain, Tennessee
Patriot Guard Riders
www.patriotguard.org
1-901-848-2188

PGR has been invited to participate in a veteran's statue dedication on Veteran's Day, Tuesday, Nov. 11, 2008 at 2:00 p.m. The bronze statue was funded by the widow of a WW II veteran, Gretchen Pedersen. The program will feature a speech given by a U.S. Navy Commander back from his third tour in Iraq, a rifle salute, music and taps.

Preliminary plans are for a staging at Good Samaritan Village Retirement Home on S. Hwy 5, south of the Hwy 62 bypass, at 12:30 p.m., with a briefing at 1:00 p.m. We will escort Mrs. Pederson from the Home to Kirby Tucker Cemetery via Hwy 62 to Tucker Cemetery Road just east of Hwy 126, north to the cemetery.

Mission link http://www.patriotguard.org/ALLForums/tabid/61/forumid/186/postid/1012689/view/topic/Default.aspx

Jay Lanning
Mountain Home R/C

Respectfully
Gerald Gaines
AR. State. Capt.
GeraldGaines@patriotguard.org
501-230-0156

http://www.patriotguard.org/ALLForums/tabid/61/view/topic/forumid/11/postid/1020145/Default.aspx


The family of Spc. James M. Clay has requested the presence of the Patriot Guard Riders for funeral services and we will Stand Proudly in Honor of this Brave Hero. Spc. Clay was KIA in Iraq while supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.

Mission will be updated when Info becomes available to us.

DoD Identifies Army Casualty

The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. James M. Clay, 25, of Mountain Home, Ark., died Nov. 13 in Anbar Province, Iraq, of injuries sustained in a vehicle accident. He was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 153rd Infantry Regiment, 39th Brigade Combat Team, Arkansas Army National Guard, Little Rock, Ark.

Respectfully
Gerald Gaines
AR. State. Capt.
GeraldGaines@patriotguard.org
501-230-0156

The Patriot Guard has been asked to stand in honor of Edward H. Wade, a U.S. Navy veteran who served his country for 20 years, including 3 tours in Vietnam.

Memorial service at Christeson Funeral Home, 519 N. Spring St., Harrison, AR.
Time: 10:00 a.m. 25 - Nov. - 08
Stage at the funeral home at 8:45 a.m.
Briefing at 9:00 a.m.
This will be a Flag Line only.(no procession)

Directions: From the South on Hwy 62/412, turn left on W. Prospect to Spring St., then turn right to the funeral home.
From the North, turn right on W. Prospect, then right on Spring St. to the funeral home.

Mission Link http://www.patriotguard.org/Forums/tabid/61/postid/1027013/view/topic/Default.aspx

Respectfully,
Jay Lanning
Arkansas Ride Captain


Respectfully
Gerald Gaines
AR. State. Capt.
GeraldGaines@patriotguard.org
501-230-0156

Went on my first mission with PGR on Monday . Last minute notice , thought I may be the only bike , there were 15 bikes . Was a Navy vet died at 52 , was my former son in law's dad , knew him well . Was an awesome experience . I never knew there was a group like PGR , will be honored to go on another one .

37th PGR Mission for me last Wed. They are always impressive and emotional moments-be it 2 bikes or 200.

Chy -
Just went to the website and sent a message to the Ariz capt about services this Saturday for a fallen officer. Flagstaff PD and Military veteran was killed last Saturday night (suicide), he will be greatly missed.
We will have at least some American Legion Riders, and maybe some Patriot Guard as well. Given we are in Flagstaff, and sort of off the beaten path, I hope there are no protests!!!!!
Thanks for what you do!
Becky

Hi Becky,
Thank you and people like you for your support.. it means a lot to the families and to other soldiers.

My first mission today! We escorted/supported the family of Pfc. James L. Miller in Zillah, WA. (by Yakima) Wow, what an honor and privledge to be able to ride this. Over 200 bikes, about 150 flags and it was breath taking. Will do more in the future, unfortunately. The protestors filled a parade permit, but didn't show. Kathy

We laid SFC Richard Kellogg to rest yesterday with full honors - VFW riders and PGR, and much of Flagstaff PD and other agencies present. Very sad day.
Thank you VFW (local) and PGR (2 came from Phoenix for this). Rick was a soldier, officer, friend and fellow rider. We will never have all the answers as to why he took his own life - it never makes any sense. I have learned more about him this week, and wish that he really knew how many people loved and respected him, and that life was worth living.
Hold those you love close, tell them you love them, and be there for them.
Becky

I just wanted to chime in here and say a huge thank you to all you folks that are a part of PGR and donate your time to volunteer for these missions. I am active duty military and have been overseas for the past fifteen years now. I will be joining the PGR as soon as I return to American soil and support this organization. Hopefully by the time I return, most of the missions will be welcome home ride outs to the airport...

I wanted to say something to all you PGR members on what you do means to servicemembers. During my last deployment in the sandbox, there were a few things that happened within my flight that were really stretching people thin. It can be a dangerous thing when you begin feeling isolated in that kind of environment because that is when frustration sets in. I started printing up some of the missions that PGR members would write about as well as the thank you letters from the families and share that with my flight during our weekly flight briefings. Even the troops that do not care for motorcycles looked forward to the end of the weekly briefing to listen to some of the stories that I would read out. Knowing people back home, strangers that none of us have ever met...knowing that they are pulling for us and honoring those returning home makes more of a difference than what you could realize. Thank you for doing this...God Bless.

I'm proud to say my Speedmaster and I have been on numerous Patriot Guard missions. I "signed" on after seeing this thread and after losing friends to this war. I must say its an absolute honor to welcome these brave men and women back home whether alive or not. I have been on missions where there were hundreds of bikes and I have been on some where there were 2 of us out there holding flags. Last year we laid to rest a soldier who passed away 20+ years before I was born. Very moving experience. My triumph still wont go fast enough to dry out my eyes after attending some of these missions. To all the people who have written a "blank check" to the United States of America, I THANK YOU for your service. To my fellow PGR members, I THANK YOU for what you do.

Spc. Charles J. Wren, 25, died April 16 after being hit by an improvised explosive device. Click Here for more info.

Today we rode with a fellow VFW member whose cousin was the above mentioned soldier. As Chairman of the area Unit where I'm at, we gathered up the guys and proceeded to Hondo for the Services and Burial. There we joined up with PGR groups and other odd riders. Dude had a rough time of it. Last tour received a Purple Heart. This last tour earned him a heroes welcome home, one he doesn't get to see. Awesome event, maybe a couple hundred bikes from all over the State. Whole town hauled out to line the streets. Almost unnerving. There's something about a full military funeral that one can not appreciate until they've attended one. He arrived in a motorcycle pulled casson. Very unique. Was glad to have been a part of the event, though I hope I don't have to do any more.

Just joined in Ohio. Haven't done my first ride yet, but am looking forward to the opportunity to show support and respect. Much thanks to all those that serve(d).

Went on my 3rd Mission today (3rd in 1 week) and what an HONOR! Have yet to see ANY protestors, only very greatful relatives and attendee's.
Now am standing by for the young Navy Corpsman that was KIA and is on his way home to Oregon.
Have never been one for funerals, but these are much different when rendering honors to a fallen solder.

If any of you have a chance to ride with the Patriot Guard Riders - do so. We are honoring those that have given thier life, or a least a significant portion of it, to allow US the freedoms that we enjoy, even if that is to complain about what is going on in Washington D.C. What other country are you allowed to do THAT without fear? Not too many.

Today I was honored to ride with the Patriot Guard for the following:
"We have been invited by the family to stand for and honor Hospital Corpsman Apprentice Ryley Gallinger-Long, 19. Ryley was assigned to 1st Battalion, 6th Marines, Regimental Combat Team 1, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force at Camp Lejeune, N.C. Ryley was on his first deployment and had been conducting a dismounted patrol when his life was taken."
If you missed the news on this young man, he had been over there for less than a month when his platoon of Marines came under fire. When giving aid to an injured Marine, he was shot in the back and was killed. Regardless of what you might think of the U.S. being over there, this young man GAVE HIS LIFE helping another solder. Many of us here have given a few years of our lives in aid of others - this young man and many others have given ALL of their Life. Enjoy your freedoms these men and women have given their lives for!

There were well over a hundred PGR Riders along with local Law Enforcement, Fire and other groups. It was very humbling escorting this Fallen Navy Corpsman through several communities where the streets were lined with people saluting our flags and giving cheers of support to their fallen son. Quite often it was hard to swallow with a helmet neck strap and a knot in the throat!

Saturday he will be laid to rest at the Willamette National Cemetary. May God be with him and rest his soul.

Nov. 26th the VFW MG I ride with (Unit 20), rode on a Service Mission along with other area Patriot Riders for PFC Jimmie Gaitan. The day was a rain filled event and almost thought of not going. However, I began to think of this (then) young man's last days and hours, I figured I could handle a little rain. His story:

PFC Jimmie Gaitan was a medic with the Clearing Company, 2nd Medical Battalion (attached to 17th Infantry Regiment), 2nd Infantry Division. He was reported Missing In Action while tending to his wounded comrades in South Korea on February 13, 1951, later to be determined that he had been captured and was being held as a Prisoner Of War. PFC Gaitan died while a prisoner on May 24, 1951 in POW Camp 1 near Changsong, North Korea. His remains were identified on September 13, 2011, and will finally be returning home to San Antonio to rest.

Mission accomplished.

Friday, 4/13/12, I was honored to ride with the Patriot Guard Riders (over 50 missions completed at this writing)for Peter Jones Knapp, Civil War Veteran, Georgianna Pierson Knapp, Portland, OR, 13/Apr/12

Ladies and Gentlemen of the Patriot Guard Riders, we have been given a very special honor. We have been invited by the great-great-grand niece to stand for Civil War Veteran, Peter Jones Knapp and his wife, Georgianna Eliza Pierson Knapp. They have waited far too long to reach their final resting place, and we are honored to be allowed to stand for them both. After each of their funeral services, they were taken to the Portland Crematorium, but for whatever reason they were never interred. This will be the original burial for them both.

Peter joined the Union Army at a young 19 years old and was thrust into battle immediately. Seven months and several battles later, he came down with typhoid. Deemed too ill to travel the 10 miles by wagon, he and others were left in an abandoned building without medical attention for three weeks. Surviving that, he was active in numerous noted battles of the Civil War. In the Battle of Iuka, war records show his regiment lost more in this one hour and twenty minute engagement than any other regiment lost in any one engagement during the war. He was taken prisoner in the battle at Missionary Ridge. After 17 months, starved and almost blind, he escaped with others. After the Civil War, he later re-enlisted and served 15 months in the Indian War. Mr. Knapp survived in a desperate time and against incredible odds to live a long, full life.

He and Georgianna married in 1870 and remained so for 53 years. They came to Kelso, WA in 1887 and he started in the mill business. He was a justice of the peace and a police judge. He was a G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) commandant for three posts in Kelso and in charge of the indigent soldier's fund for 35 years. Mr. Knapp passed away at the age of 82 on April 13, 1924 -- 88 years ago. Mrs. Knapp lived until 1930 and passed away at the age of 76.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
This was one of those "once in a life-time events" of which I was extremely proud to be a part of.