Woodbury TN Latest Mission Participation

[puckmedic]

My latest Patriot Guard Rider mission was extremely gratifying. Yes we were there to honor another soldier killed in the line of duty. The gratifying part was when we rolled down the hil and turned west on to TN 70 (aka Main street) we were met with perhaps the most dramatic and heart wrenching display of community I have ever (21 misssions) witnessed. It took all our resolve to keep riding, blurry vision was creeping up on each of us.

you see, on the hill we could visualize nearly the entire route to the cemetary a mile away. As far as we could see, every person who could stand was out there. Thousands of people, lined the road way, holding American flags, holding army flags, crosses etc.

What blew me away was the towns people who came and joined our ranks at graveside. Well, until we fired em up and headed home that is. That is when I really lost it. Those same towns people who had stood the road side?

THEY WERE STILL THERE!! Knowing the family was coming back to the center of town, these people stood for their neighbors and stayed with it to show support.

Ladies and gentlemen- I can think of no better way than to remember what the fourth of July stands for. You see, this mission for LT Walkup US Army, happened 4 JULY 07. I may have not had a picnic with my family, I may not have gotten to be with them much of the day, but this is one Fourth of Uuly I will never forget.

Until now, every attempt to write about it choked me up. Today, I am able to share it with you. PS I got home early enough to spend the rest of the day with my wife, and being able to reflect.


Dennis Lee Patriot Guard Rider West Tennessee
Gassed up, ready to ride- hoping I don't need to.

[8404]

It is, for some, difficult to comprehend or understand why we do what we do. The patriot Guard website has video tributes that help to understand where we are coming from:

http://www.patriotguard.org/tabid/226/ctl/ArticleView/mid/665/articleId/90/Memorial-Day-Tribute-Video-Click-to-leave-comments-and-read-video-upload-guidelines.aspx

I remember on some of the missions, riding out of the airport after having picked up a fallen heroes body, police and firemen are parked along the roadside saluting as we escort the hertz and the family to the funeral home. It's awe inspiring, the show of patriotism and respect displayed.

This is an incredible way to serve your country and support our troops. We ride for all KIA or any veteran of any decade. No matter if they served in war time or not. The Patriot Guard has escorted whole military units deploying to the sand box. They escort the unit all the way to the airports and send them off with love, respect and honor.

Want to change the world? Start by one random act of kindness each and every day.

Thanks for this post Dennis, catch you on the wind brother!

Patriot Guard Member Grand Prairie, Texas

[DeeDee]

What if you don't ride? Can you still be a member and participate in the missions?

Non Motorcycle Ridin' Corpsman Momma ;)
DeeDee

[Navycameron]

Have you guys ever done a ride in Utah.

[8404]

DeeDee:

You can come to the missions anyway you can, a pogo stick, a car, a truck or fetch a ride with another member. Yes, by all means you can join the PGR. It's not about what type of vehicle you have, it's about standing tall with respect for these fallen heroes. You don't even have to have a vehicle. Some come in wheel chairs via a friend.

Navycameron: Puckmedic and I haven't. Here is the Utah, Patriot Guard state thread:

http://www.patriotguard.org/ALLForums/tabid/61/view/topics/forumid/112/Default.aspx

DeeDee following is the Michigan state thread:

http://www.patriotguard.org/ALLForums/tabid/61/view/topics/forumid/89/Default.aspx

The main Patriot Guard web page is here:

http://www.patriotguard.org/

[DeeDee]

Thanks 8404 - will be checking it out and hoping no missions come up :) (i know wishful thinking)

Have a great day
DeeDee

[puckmedic]

There are UTAH members. Pretty much you stick to your own state. I live in a part of TN where I can hit KY, AR, MS and AL. I actually have been on vacation and attended one in CT.

Like said earlier no matter what you ride or drive or don't we accept you. There is no fee, and we stand at over 100,000 strong.

There are many things we do besides memorial missions. We do send offs, unit and indivual returns as well. Help on the Home Front was started to help veterans with anything we can. In one place they mow lawns, another state I know does home visits (including nursing homes).

There's many ways to help a vet that even I can't list them all. PGR is a link to a great group of folks. Sure we're a scary lot, beards, leather and our women lookmeaner than snake venom, but inside we're all just big loving folks who like to ride. Our cagers (car and truck folks) are a valuable asset to us. They bring water, provide the AC for a member who suffers from the heat etc. In many cases I used my truck to block intersections in places police were not available.

Yes folks PGR is a grass roots effort to show our current and former military (of which many of us are!) and their families that despite the lack of positive supportive press coverage AMERICANS CARE!!!

Wanna really show it? Join and buy a flag and send it to you home state National Guard unit or a family member over there.

I am sending one to an old CO of mine now the CO of USS Baataan for him to fly underneath the US flag.

[Navycameron]

So can I ride my dirt bike :). That is awsome though 100,000 members is alot of people. I think I remember now that the PGR did a ride in utah once that I remember. I also remember hearing on the news once that you guys did a ride so the family and friends didn't hear or see those radical anti-war protesters. I think it is awsome that you guys would take time out of the day to go show support for someone you don't even know and to also go show those radical idots that what they do is wrong and your their so it won't effect the funeral. Thanks PGR keep up the good work.

[8404]

Cameron;

You can come to the missions anyway you can, a pogo stick, a car, a truck or fetch a ride with another member.

If you choose to ride a dirt bike, make sure it is street legal, (license plates, turn signals and such). PGR is not responsible for you vehicle or any accidents you may have while on a mission.

[puckmedic]

Also, remember this and live by it. When encountering 'certain people who wish to disrupt the services for their own rrasons" we as a group do not condone, encourage or otherwise any action towards them except to turn our back on them.

Their website describes us as "Bitter Bikers". So I gues I'm proud to be a "Bitter Biker", as it shows we are effective in what we do.

You really want a good cry? go to our website and read the thank you letters!

[Navycameron]

I'm not much of crying kind of kid but I really do appreciate that their are people out their who do things like this. I think it is just hard to see people even on the news who disrespect someone by protesting at their funeral. But I just think it is awsome to see that you guys do stuff like this or that anybody does things like this.

[8404]

Puckmedic;

I think, "Bitter Biker" would make for a great vest patch, don't you think.
lol

[8404]

Navycameron;

You should have seen the protestors, university riots by the students and general hatred for our troops by civilians back in the late 60's and early 70's.

Military personnel were called all sorts of names, spit upon etc.... What an era that was.

[puckmedic]

Already on the patch thingy. As for the protestors in the 70's... I'm old enough to remember them. I had a guy call me a simpleton for being a mindless follower for the killing machine invasion force of iraq. I had just retired, was wearing some military t shirt. He came up and asked if I was still in, I said no I just retired.

Then he began with the anti bush, the military is bent on total domination of the world and all we do is kill to achieve our goal_ get oil. Well, ole MR Lee here simply reached out and touched him. Let him know there was a lot of good stuff going on, and that we were making a difference. Politics aside, he should support those who belong to an all volunteer force. Because of them , he won;t need to worry about a draft!

Either my words or the bruise I left from my back handed slap to the side of his neck(called a stinger, it when executed correctly, will incapacitate a persons motor senses for 30 seconds) made quite an impression on him.

He called me a bad name and I smiled and asked if he wanted another "lesson". He refused any further "educational experiences".