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Author Topic: Letter from the head of the Patriot Guard Riders SF Bay Area - 2009 in Review  (Read 6176 times)

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erniezap

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Riding with the PGR has been one of the most fulfilling things that I have done this year!  This letter came from Sgt Major Dave, the head of our area's PGR.  I would highly recommend that you look into the PGR in your area!  Here is Dave's letter:

In my lifetime I have had the opportunity to lead many units - in battle and in peacetime.  The Patriot Guard Riders is a whole new level of experience.  In many ways its been a battle (of sorts) covering many types of Missions, coordinating different groups doing similar missions, working with police, fire departments, sheriff's departments, and of course, the numerous veteran support "units".  I've had the additional pleasure of working with Blue Star Mom's, Mom's, Pacifica Military Mom's, Soldiers Angels, Pleasanton Military Families, League of POW/MIA Families, Operation Mom, Operation Tango Mike, and of course, Gold Star Mom's (Dad's and Families).  As you all know, PGR is made up of Rider's from dozens of sources - independent riders, American Legion Riders, Dirty Dogs, HOG Chapters like Livermore, Mt Diablo, Fremont, Marines MC, Leathernecks MC, Vietnam Veterans of America, Cross Ministries, Survivors, Rolling Thunder, Jus Brother's, Vulcan Riders and Owners Club, Freedom Cruisers Riding Club, Star Touring, Legacy, Rough Riders, Indian Riders, Bikers For Christ, Dikes on Bikes, Loyal Order of Moose, ABATE, Saints and Sinners, HA's Gilroy, Santa Cruz, SF ALR-Paso Robles, all Bay area & Salinas, AL Post 419, Vietnam Vets, Combat Vets, Crazy Brothers, Defenders of Freedom, Purple Heart Riders, Vietnam Vets, National Association of Medic and Corpsman, American Red Cross Sierra Chapter, Blue Knights MC, Red Knights MC, White Knights MC, Christian Motorcycles Association MC, Boozefighters MC, Black Sheep MC, Combat Veterans MC, Freedom Cruisers MA, Gold Wing Riders, SAMS, Honda Saber Group, Valkyrie Riders Cruiser Club, NorCal Voyagers Club, Run For The Wall, Suzuki Owners Club of North America, US Marine Riders Association, Veterans of Foreign Wars, Veterans Of Vietnam MC - California Nomads, Vietnam/Legacy Vets MC, VTX Riders, Pathfinders, Marine Corps League, Wild Pigs, Christian Motorcycle Association, Mad Dogs MC, Sentinels MC, Aahmes Shrine Motorcycle Patrol out of Livermore, RIP City Riders (Petaluma), ACTS (American Canyon Troop Support), Saints and Sinners, VFW, MET (Santa Rosa), Tracy Military Moms, Christian Riders, Los Carnales,       Cross Ministries, Sisters of Scota, and riders from the WWR.   IF I've missed anyone or misspelled a name, my sincerest apologies as we work with so many, I get lost.

The Patriot Guard Riders' focus has never wavered - The Veteran.  In my AOR alone, in just 2009,  we have done somewhere (guestimate)  between 275 and 300 Missions (combined) with a guestimate of 500 plus Service Members being Welcomed Home, ( including Fallen Hero, Fallen Warrior, and Fallen Veteran Escorts).  We have built a rapport with the police that often has them asking what they can do to help US.  Parking at the airports could not be better thanks to the efforts of the police and parking control people, the airport management, and very knowledgeable and hardworking RC's.  We have missed exactly ONE Welcome Home (we ran out of Riders on a very busy weekend).  We've responded and had successful Missions with as little as 1 - that's ONE - hours notice.  We've ridden in the rain, the cold, the middle of the nite, early AM, in traffic, short runs ( 5 or 6 miles) to long rides of over a hundred and 50 miles - one way.  We have literally racked up thousands of miles on Missions with some Riders racking up as much as 350 miles in a single day (thank you Kyle and Ruth).  We've had Rider's do as many as 5 (I think that's the record) Missions in ONE day.  We've had around a dozen Rider's hurt this year - and most of them are back up riding (thankfully) with the others healing.  And none are complaining.

For those that are getting this email that are not familiar with PGR California - this "review" covers one of 6 AOR's - but the rest of the 5 AOR numbers are 530 to 700 Missions (Nationwide about 5500 - in other words, California accounts for about 20% of all Missions).  But to all, I do know this - you should all be extremely proud of your efforts for our men and women serving in our armed forces, and our veterans in general.  I can also tell you that those of us that are Vietnam Veterans can tell you one very special thing - and I think I can speak for all Vietnam Veterans - thank you for insuring that our military will never ever be forgotten again.

This has been a great year.  No organization in this country has done half of what PGR does, and continues to do.  You dodge politics as much as humanly possible, you tolerate people that are not respectful to the veterans, you welcome every service member equally, you attend dozens and dozens of funerals of people you've never even heard of, you wave the flag whenever possible, you spend three or four hours preparing for a half hour event, and most importantly, you never look for recognition EXCEPT as PGR, and, never ask for or except anything for your dedication.

Let this coming year be another great and safe year.

Thank you from a grateful veteran, and thank you for allowing me to ride with you.

« Last Edit: December 31, 2009, 09:59:51 AM by erniezap »
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Gettinold

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Ernie great thread.  :2vrolijk_21: I have only gone on one mission with the PGR, but that one will always be a memory that I'll never forget.
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SBB

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Ernie

A great thread about a great cause.
I went on my first mission yesterday.
A very humbling experience with a simple message and goal.

Standing For Those Who Stood For US!

I joined the PGR yesterday and hope to have the privilege to be on many more missions.






SBB
« Last Edit: December 31, 2009, 12:51:02 PM by SBB »
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erniezap

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Ernie

A great thread about a great cause.
I went on my first mission yesterday.
A very humbling experience with a simple message and goal.

Standing For Those Who Stood For US!

I joined the PGR yesterday and hope to have the privilege to be on many more missions.



SBB

Fantastic!!!
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Wrongway

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 Great cause, Great people. PGR rides are hard, emotions wise, but well worth the effort.
Come out when you can.
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Gettinold

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Speaking of the PGR, is the Westboro Baptist Cult, or whatever they call themselves still active.  :nixweiss:
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Crusty

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Did a couple rides in Spokane, and a few when I was stationed at Travis AFB, and concur it is quite a moving experience!

Trying to come up with a way to mount a large flag on my SERG... wondering what the strength of the passenger backrest would be. Anyone who's smart on that think I could get an extra backrest and have it modified to put a flag pole tube on it, and ride with a large flag? Any other ideas?

Looking forward to getting involved with the folks in the Denver/Colorado Springs area when I get there!

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I joined the PGR yesterday and hope to have the privilege to be on many more missions.



‘Bout time since you can ride year round for the missions.

What took so long? I’ve been a proponent on this site since early 06.
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NVTHIS

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The greatest group of riders I have ever had the honor to ride with. I am very honored to serve as a PGR.  :pepper: :pepper: :pepper: :pepper: :pepper:
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