From mission at txpgr.org Fri May 1 14:35:29 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Fri, 1 May 2009 14:35:29 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Confirmed Mission - Escort for Original Vietnam Moving Wall Message-ID: <007401c9ca93$fd13db30$f73b9190$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, The North Texas Patriot Guard has been asked to escort the very first Vietnam Wall replica ever created into Pilot Point, TX on Wednesday morning, May 7, 2009. The staging area and time for staging have not yet been determined. This will be scheduled when we know exactly where the truck and personnel will be staying overnight prior to coming into Pilot Point. For those not familiar with Pilot Point, it is located just Northeast of Denton in Denton County. The wall is scheduled to arrive at the square in Pilot Point at 8:30 AM so this will be an early morning ride for many. I have pasted below a release from the organizers concerning this particular soldier's memorial and web sites are included if you would like additional information. I have also attached a document that includes the information below and a schedule of events for Pilot Point and a list of items that the local organizers are still looking for to help them with this event. The organizers asked that I emphasize (since our mission e-mails go to a diverse list of individuals) that all motorcycle organizations and groups are invited to attend and participate in the escort, and cages are welcome also. I would ask that PGR cages might want to decorate in an appropriate patriotic manner if possible. We have the National Day of Prayer ceremony at North Hills Hospital at noon on May 7 also but with an 8:30 AM arrival time on the square in Pilot Point this leaves us with ample time for a safe ride to North Richland Hills. We must always keep in mind, however, that our primary mission is the honor missions we may be asked to conduct. Those must always take precedence and will continue to do so. Our focus has not changed and will not change. We will continue to do these Help on the Home Front types of missions when we can but never at the expense of an honor mission. Thanks, everyone. Message about the Wall is below. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR VET-NET V-N_Logo North Texas Headquarters Vietnam Combat Veterans, Ltd. P.O. Box 1032 Pilot Point, Texas 76258-1032 U.S.A. FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE as of May 1st, 2009 @ 2:05 AM TO: Motorcycle Clubs, Groups and Riders SUBJ: Escort for The Moving WallT to Pilot Point, Texas and Other Information Vietnam Combat Veterans, Ltd. and VET-NET, North Texas are bringing The Moving WallT to North Texas May 7~11, 2009, on the Pilot Point Town Square, as it was ten and twenty years ago, in March, 1989 & 1999. Pilot Point is the only community in Texas where The Moving WallT will appear this year. There will be a motorcycle escort for The Moving WallT vehicle, in advance of the set-up, which will be on Thursday, May 7th. The escort will be from the place of lodging to the Pilot Point Town Square and will begin in time to arrive at the Square by 8:30 AM. Departure time and place will be announced, as soon as it is determined. About The Moving WallT "IN HONOR OF THE MEN AND WOMEN OF THE ARMED FORCES OF THE UNITED STATES WHO SERVED IN THE VIETNAM WAR. THE NAMES OF THOSE WHO GAVE THEIR LIVES AND OF THOSE WHO REMAIN MISSING ARE INSCRIBED IN THE ORDER THEY WERE TAKEN FROM US." Preamble of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial "The Moving WallT" is the half-size replica of the Washington, D.C. Vietnam Veterans Memorial and has been touring the country for almost twenty-five years. Vietnam Veteran John Devitt attended the 1982 Washington dedication, where he felt the positive power of "The Wall." He vowed to share that experience with those who did not have the opportunity to go to Washington. John conceived the idea. John, Norris Shears, Gerry Haver and other Vietnam Veteran volunteers built The Moving WallT. It went on display for the first time at Tyler, Texas in October of 1984. The Moving WallT travels the USA, from April through November, spending about a week at each site. For complete historical and background information about The Moving WallT visit: http://www.TheMovingWall.org/ or http://VET-NETNorthTexas.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 1231 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: TMW_PP-TX-09_M-C#2.doc Type: application/msword Size: 50176 bytes Desc: not available URL: From mission at txpgr.org Fri May 1 22:19:59 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Fri, 1 May 2009 22:19:59 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Mission Updates Message-ID: <00aa01c9cad4$dfe082c0$9fa18840$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, Thanks to everyone who has pointed out that I goofed again in getting my days and dates together on the Vietnam wall mission in Pilot Point. The correct day and date is Thursday the 7th. Again - the escort is on Thursday the 7th. Sorry. Just as an aside.I talked to the organizers this evening and the location where the truck will overnight the night before (I'm not even going to attempt to put down the day and date) has not yet been determined so final details are still up in the air as of now. MISSION STAND DOWN Tomorrow's event in Plano for Captain Franklin has been postponed. Her physician has advised her to stay home due to the swine flu that is going around. The event will be rescheduled when she gets the go ahead to get out and about again. The honor mission in Joshua is still a "go" but the mission in Plano for Captain Franklin is postponed. Thanks to everyone who had planned to attend to honor her and we'll let you know just as soon as that is picked up again. Sorry about the confusion on the Vietnam Wall mission and thanks to everyone for being so gentle and for using such good humor in pointing out my error. It is appreciated. Y'all are the best. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Sun May 3 03:04:24 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Sun, 3 May 2009 03:04:24 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard More Area Events in May Message-ID: <001701c9cbc5$c649f020$52ddd060$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, I've been reminded of some additional events in May that some may want to be aware of and participate in. Please see below. This is the Initial Itinerary for a Memorial service, May 23, 2009 being hosted by the Windthorst/Scotland, Texas VFW Post #2676. This event will honor 3 Fallen Heroes from Windthorst, Tx ---- Leo Blake, WWII, Paul Himmels, Korea and Gary Johnston, Iraq. The Patriot Guard has been invited to attend and participate. Ride Captains: Dave (Grinch) Griminger 940 585 8968 & Cecil (Lawman) Yoder 940-733-5710 Mission: The Johnston Family, family of Marine Sgt Gary Johnston, KIA Iraq, PGR mission February 2007, have asked to meet with Patriot Guard Riders at the cemetery in Archer City and ride to Windthorst to start the ceremony. They invite anyone with a motorcycle to join them at the cemetery and ride with the PGR to the Memorial event. Riders should be at the cemetery by 9:30 a.m. http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Archer+City&state=TX&country=US&latitude=3 3.5956&longitude=-98.625298&geocode=CITY After meeting with the Johnston family, the Johnstons will lead the ride leaving the cemetery at 10:00 for the 12 mile ride to the Memorial location at the Grotto (below St. Mary's Catholic Church) in Windthorst. The Memorial begins at 11:00 a.m. After arriving PGR will form a flag line forming a semi-circle around the crowd. Staging: Wichita Falls area Patriot Guard Riders will stage at 8:30 a.m. in the SE corner of the Southerlands parking lot and KSU will be at 8:45. Weather: Being late May, we can probably expect high 80s or low 90s and sunny. Remember - this IS Texas, so please plan accordingly Iron horses with flags if you can, cages are always welcome and always appreciated. Flags are limited, so bring your own if you can. All bike groups are welcome to ride with us. Please remember that our mission is to Stand Tall and Silent, with honor and respect for The Memorial of Sgt. Gary Jonhston, Leo Blake, Paul Himmels and their families. Following the Memorial presentation, lunch will be served and all riders are invited to stay for lunch. Respectfully submitted, Cecil "Lawman" Yoder ============================================================================ ============================== In celebration of the grand opening of the Gen. Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum, Gen. Tommy Franks will lead up to 1,000 bikers in the Rumble Motorcycle Parade through downtown Hobart to his recently renovated facilities. The bikers will participate in the Freedom Motorcycle Ride and Poker Run from Lawton to Hobart; one lucky biker will win a 2008 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200C. The motorcycle rally and the 2:30 p.m. Rumble Parade are scheduled on May 23 in conjunction with an entire day of events in Hobart's Memorial Day weekend "Celebration of Freedom." Also scheduled is the 1 p.m. "Celebration of Freedom Parade" with an anticipated 50 entries. Registration for the Freedom Motorcycle Ride begins at 9 a.m. at Pro-Team Harley Davidson, 301 S.E. Interstate Drive in Lawton (no pre-registration required). The $30 fee includes one Poker Run entry and one chance for the Sportster drawing. Prizes will also be awarded for the top and low poker hands ($300, top; $100, low); other prizes include a leather jacket signed by Willie G. Davidson, Harley-Davidson's founder. Bikers must participate in the Freedom Ride and Poker Run to qualify for the drawing and must be present to win. Gen. Franks recommends attaching an American flag to the motorcycles. The last bike leaves Lawton by 10:15 a.m. Riders pick up cards at designated stops--through Medicine Park, the Wichita Mountains, Saddle Mountain, Roosevelt, Blair, Quartz Mountain Lodge--and ends at the Hobart Regional Airport, southeast of Hobart on U.S. 183. The last bike must arrive by 2 p.m. After the awarding of prizes, bikers may visit the museum, take photographs with Gen. Franks and stay for the evening concert. For places to eat and spend the night in Hobart or for more information, call 580-726-5900 or check http://www.celebrationoffreedom.net. Accommodations will be available for bikers to camp out. For questions on the poker run, e-mail retired Army Col. Michael Hayes, member of the museum's board of directors, at mth at tommyfranks.com. "I think everybody will love the route through the Wichita Mountains and the wheat fields, which reflect this part of the country; it's a good ride," Col. Hayes said. Celebration of Freedom Parade participants will convene at 12:15 p.m. at the former Eugene Fields School on S. Main in Hobart. At 1 p.m., the parade will travel north on Main Street past the Gen. Tommy Franks Museum, where each entry will be announced, then to 3rd & Main Street, east to Jefferson Street and south to 6th & Jefferson. To enter the parade, call Sylvia Quintero at 580-752-5636, Connie Preston at 580-752-4005 or Marilyn Thrift at 580-726-3242. "We anticipate around 50 entries-local floats, military floats, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, in addition to many antique cars; and we've asked them all to use a military theme," said Quintero, Freedom Parade chairman. The event-filled day also includes an airport fly-in and pancake breakfast, a carnival, Arts on the Square art show, softball tournament, quilt show and fishing tournament. Topping off the day will be a concert by Country Music Star Neal McCoy, three-time platinum recording artist, performing live on a mega stage with Wayne Newton and other entertainers and speakers. To show appreciation to the nation's heroes, Hobart will offer free concert tickets-with identification--to active duty military and dependants, National Guard, Reserve and all who have ever served in the military. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Tue May 5 14:43:26 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Tue, 5 May 2009 14:43:26 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Final Itinerary - Vietnam Wall Escort - Pilot Point, Texas Message-ID: <005701c9cdb9$c2706740$475135c0$@net> FINAL ITINERARY Vietnam Moving Wall Escort Mission Date; May 7, 2009 Ride Captain: Steve "Badger" Lucas, 940-206-4196 (c); pgrlucas at charter.net The North Texas Patriot Guard Riders has been asked to escort the very first Vietnam Wall ever created into Pilot Point, Texas on May 7, 2009. Following is an excerpt from an e-mail I received from the organizers. "As I mentioned, on the phone, here is the link to The Moving Wall's web site, where the specifications for "Escort" may be obtained. I ask that you review and, if you wish, refer your Riders to this link: http://www.themovingwall.org/docs/handbook.htm#escorts which states, in principal part: Escorts Escorts are optional. For safety reasons escorts over 6 bikes are limited to less than thirty miles and only six bikes will travel in front of The Moving Wall, all others will follow. The sponsor should appoint one person to be in charge of the escort that can establish a rally point, coordinate with law enforcement, determine the route and departure/arrival time, contact the driver to see what time he can make the rally point, etc. Additionally, if the Escort Route will pass along or across any highways or highway intersections, as is the case for this Escort, a minimum of one [1] Police vehicle must lead the Escort, with other traffic control vehicles and/or personnel provided to assure traffic safety, according to the existing circumstances along the route. We will all defer to the discretion of PPPD Chief, James Edland and/or his designee[s], in the event of any unanticipated contingencies. We invite the participation of the Pilot Point Fire Department, if they are not "On Call" at the time and are otherwise able to participate. The Escort will terminate at the Pilot Point Town Square, being the adjacent to [the East side of] the 100 block of Washington Street, between West Main and West Liberty Streets. At termination, ONLY The Moving Wall's vehicle will enter the interior of the Town Square, which is the Display Site. Escort vehicles should NOT enter the Town Square but, rather, remain on Washington or other street[s] as directed by Pilot Point Police Department (PPPD) personnel -- by following the Police vehicle[s] to the designated Terminus Parking Area[s]." Part 1 - Vietnam Moving Wall Escort: Thursday, May 7, 2009 - 8:15 AM; Pilot Point, TX Staging - 7:30 AM; Briefing - 7:45 AM Driveway of Milton Duessman Farm 11712 FM 455 East Pilot Point, TX 76258 Map - http://tinyurl.com/cabtc5 We will line up to have 6 big flag bikes in front of the Wall vehicle as per their published procedure and any other big flag bikes in the lead behind the vehicle with other bikes and then cages following them. Cages decorated in a patriotic matter would, I'm sure, be most appreciated by the organizers and the citizens who will be witnessing the arrival. The organizers have provided additional information regarding the staging as follows: If space proves inadequate for the actual number of vehicles, secondary staging areas may include: A. Grandmother Duesmann's driveway, just West of the Primary Point; B. Other gravel road driveways between the Primary Point and Secondary Area A., and; C. The prepared surfaces of the "Old Wagon Wheel Cafe" in the Northeast quadrant of the Hwy. 377 & Hwy. 455 East intersection. NOTES: At the Primary Staging Area, sufficient space should be left for one [1] Police vehicle and one [1] Fire/Ladder Truck, between the Hwy. 455 roadway and the first Patriot Guard vehicle; Vehicles may enter the Primary Area's driveway and, if desired, proceed to the "Turn-Around Loop" at the house and then queue up at the end of the line; Be aware that we have had "Gully-Washer" rains, with more anticipated between now and the Escort Time, so vehicles should not get off the edges of the prepared gravel drive surfaces, particularly four-wheeled vehicles; Secondary Areas A. & B. do not have "Turn-Around" areas and, consequently four-wheeled vehicles, if any, should back in, and; Secondary Area C. is open and any users may coordinate their own line-up[s]. Weather: Forecast is for partly cloudy with a high of 89 degrees. The actual escort itself is anticipated to be approximately 2 miles. The flag/water truck will not be present. Respectfully Submitted, Steve Lucas North Texas Deputy State Captain -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Tue May 5 15:24:28 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Tue, 5 May 2009 15:24:28 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Info. From Carter Blood Care Message-ID: <006f01c9cdbf$7d7ecf40$787c6dc0$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, The following message came in to our State Captain from Carter BloodCare and we are passing it on for general information to you. Thank you for all you do for those we serve. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR First off I would like to thank you and the PGR for all that you do to support our men and women of our armed forces. I am a veteran of the Iraq war and I was truly honored to serve my country, so again as a vet I would to tell you thank you. Carter BloodCare is Texas' largest blood banking system and 4th largest in the United States. We service over 250 healthcare facilities in the DFW, Tyler, and Waco area. We operate anywhere between 30 and 40 blood drives a day and that is 365 days a year. Some of the drives are held at our local donation facilities that we have in the greater Dallas-Fort Worth area. As the Marketing Coordinator for Carter BloodCare one my responsibilities is to help coordinate the large blood drives that we have at many of local donation collection facilities and really attempt to make those drives a real event and fun for everyone involved. I come to you today to possibly get your assistance in two drives that we have coming up. On Memorial Day at our Cedar Hill location we are going to be having one such drive. Our theme for that is going to military and veterans. On June 20th at our Grand Prairie Donor Center we are having another drive, and the theme for that is Real Heroes. I would like to see if we might be able to get some of the guys and girls come out to these events and possibly donate their time by meeting some of our donors and maybe even donate themselves. If you feel like this would be something that you and the PGR might like to participate in please let me know. Sincerely, Joshua Schmidt "Rangers Lead the Way" Joshua Schmidt Marketing Coordinator Carter BloodCare 2205 Highway 121 Bedford, TX 76021 817-412-5278 Office 817-320-9771 Cell 817-412-5349 Fax jschmidt at carterbloodcare.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Tue May 5 20:37:59 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Tue, 5 May 2009 20:37:59 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard New TX PGR Assistant State Captain Message-ID: <00d401c9cdeb$49be80c0$dd3b8240$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, Our State Captain has asked that I share with everyone his announcement of our new Assistant State Captain. Please allow me to add my thanks and congratulations to his. Message follows. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR I would like to take this opportunity to announce the appointment of Teresa Galloway to Assistant State Captain for the State of Texas PGR. After working with Teresa at the Texas Gathering Of The Guard at Koyote Ranch and talks with her and a few of the DSC recently, I found we all agreed that Teresa is a very dedicated, hard working PGR member and a person that I wanted on my team for the future of the State of Texas PGR. Teresa and Dick Galloway have shared the duties of DSC's for the West Texas area and have been highly complimented for their work with the PGR for our Military. Just recently Teresa was awarded a Bouquet of Flowers on behalf of the PGR and the title of Local Hero by the Channel 7 CBS News Station. Teresa's past positions have included auxiliary and district President for the VFW, Life member and passed liaison for the Vietnam Veterans of America. Dick Galloway will continue to hold the position of Deputy State Captain for the West Texas area. Please join me to congratulate and thank Teresa for taking on the position of Assistant State Captain for the State of Texas PGR. Lou "Bagger Lou" Lou Freitas Texas State Captain Res: 936 588 4880 Cell: 936 443 6216 E-mail: SANDBAGGERSAS at aol.com PGR National Web Site: http://www.patriotguard.org/ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Tue May 5 20:40:32 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Tue, 5 May 2009 20:40:32 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Medal of Honor Patches are in Message-ID: <00df01c9cdeb$a5521b40$eff651c0$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, I have just received an e-mail from Tom Schad in Gainesville and the patches ordered for the Medal of Honor mission(s) arrived today. He said he will be getting them in the mail in the next couple of days and that he has extras if anyone would still like some. Thanks Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Wed May 6 22:41:58 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Wed, 6 May 2009 22:41:58 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Short Notice - Final Itinerary - Betty Louise Bean Message-ID: <00a501c9cec5$c6448bf0$52cda3d0$@net> Short Notice FINAL ITINERARY Betty Louise Bean United States Army , Vietnam Part 1 Mission Date; May 7, 2009 Visitation 6:00 PM - 8:00 PM Staging - 05:00 PM; Briefing / Flag Line - 05:15 PM Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home 5725 Colleyville Boulevard Colleyville, Texas 76034 Ride Captain: "Rapid" Roy Trimble, (817) 975-4436 (c); rracer65 at aol.com Mrs. Bean served with the United States Army. Born November 11, 1949. Mrs. Bean lost her battle with cancer on May 04, 2009 in Azle TX at the age of 59. Mrs.Bean was was preceded in death by her husband William.. We honored her husband William Bean at the same Funeral Home Back in October . Funeral Service: Friday, May 8, 2009 - 10:00 AM Staging - 09:00 AM; Briefing / Flag Line - 09:15 AM Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home 5725 Colleyville Boulevard Colleyville, Texas 76034 Map - http://tinyurl.com/5whaq4 The funeral service and the burial service will both be at Bluebonnet Hills with the burial taking place immediately after the funeral. We will have the flag line ready as family and guests arrive for the funeral and when the service starts we will move the flags to the grave site and prepare for the burial service. Weather: Partly cloudy. Highs in the low 90s and lows in the 70s Bill Mayo will be there with the flag/water truck. Safety First: Iron horses if you can, cages are always welcome and appreciated. Please remember that our mission is to stand tall, silent, and with honor and respect for this veteran and his family. Respectfully Submitted, " Rapid " Roy Trimble North Texas Ride Captain -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Fri May 8 14:25:42 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Fri, 8 May 2009 14:25:42 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Info. on the 2-149th Message-ID: <006e01c9d012$c735a460$55a0ed20$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, Many of you recall when the North Texas PGR escorted the 2-149th Aviation Regiment from their armory in Grand Prairie northbound on the first leg of their deployment toward Fort Sill to Iraq last year. Many of you also remember the very sad duty we had as we received back home 3 members of that unit after the tragic helicopter crash in Iraq that claimed the lives of the 7 crew members of "Red River 44" during a mission there. Those honor missions will remain fresh in many of our minds for a very long time. Those present at the airports as the transport plane arrived will, I'm sure, not soon forget the sight of the plane landing and the Texas flag emerging from the top of the plane as it came down the runway bringing its precious cargo home to the waiting family and friends. I know that we all look forward to the time, hopefully in the not too distant future, when we can once again mount up and meet those busses and escort them back to the armory for the reuniting of those troops and their families. The North Texas PGR has come to have a sort of special connection with that unit and its Rear Detachment Commander, Captain Randy Stillinger. Captain Stillinger has sent an e-mail and given me permission to post it to all of our riders regarding a memorial park they are planning for the crew members of Red River 44. This is for your information only and any action you take is strictly voluntary. The North Texas PGR has already committed to donating $200.00 for a park bench for the project and a check has gone out for the contribution to this worthwhile project. His e-mail was addressed to "2-149th Soldiers, Families and Friends" and I'm sure glad he included us in that group. Thanks to all of you for all you do each and every day to support the ongoing mission of the PGR. Without you, nothing happens. Without you, the mission stops dead in its tracks. Without you, we don't exist. Captain Stillinger's message is below and the attachment to which he refers is attached to this message. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR 2-149th Soldiers, Families and Friends, When we lost seven soldiers on September 17th, we faced several challenges. As we get closer to the end of the deployment for the 2-149th, we are faced with another challenge: How to celebrate the return of the battalion while remembering and honoring the sacrifice of the crew of Red River 44. We've come up with a plan for a very special weekend that will take place in September. Right now we are coordinating a special homecoming celebration on Saturday the 12th and a Red River 44 memorial service the following Sunday morning. We are hoping that the combination of events will accomplish our dual mission of honoring both service and sacrifice. Look for more information on this weekend in the near future. We also want to build a memorial park here in Grand Prairie in honor of our seven soldiers. It will be situated in a location that overlooks the flightline and will be a concept that is simple yet symbolic. There will be seven park benches under seven trees that surround a memorial marker and bronze Soldier's Cross. The benches and memorial marker will sit on top of Tuscan style pavers, which you will have the opportunity to engrave a message upon. Flowers, shrubs, and mulch will be used to add to the feel of a park. See the attached sketch of the proposed park. I have attached a concept sketch so you can get an idea of what we are looking at doing. We are also consulting with the Red River 44 families to ensure that their soldiers are honored appropriately. We are hoping to have this complete by the September 13th memorial service so we can dedicate it at that time, but we need your help now so construction can begin. Although Home Depot and Pavestone are helping us defray costs, we are doing a fundraiser in conjunction with the 2-149th FRG to pay the costs of the memorial park. We are hoping to raise over $15,000 in the next month or so to pay for this fitting tribute to our fallen heroes. The amount of money raised will determine what type of memorial marker centerpiece we can afford. Our goal of $15,000 will take care of all park expenses and ensure a fitting marker dedicated to the crew of Red River 44. For this fundraiser, the FRG is accepting donations for the following items: . $200.00 for each of the seven trees . $200.00 for each of the seven park benches . $70.00 for one 12x12-inch Tuscan paver with the words of your choice engraved on it . $25.00 for one 12x12-inch Tuscan paver with no engraving While we have listed prices of individual items, donations of any amount are always appreciated. Cash and checks made out to the "2-149th Family Readiness Group" can be sent to: 2-149th Family Readiness Group c/o CPT Randy Stillinger 1013 Lakecrest Drive Grand Prairie, TX 75051 You can also go to any Bank of America to make a donation. The FRG has an account named "2nd Battalion, 149th Aviation Family Readiness Group." It is account #004797451337. If you do this, please let us know via e-mail so we can track your donations. While the FRG is accepting donations right away, please reply to let me know if you would like to pledge a certain amount or donate a tree, bench, or paving stones. Please reply or send an e-mail to randall.stillinger at us.army.mil if you would like to make a pledge. For those that would like to have a paving stone engraved, we will have more information on how to do that in a future e-mail. I appreciate any and all donations that you can make to this very worthy cause, and I look forward to seeing many of you at the dedication ceremony. CPT Randy Stillinger Rear Detachment Commander 2-149th Aviation Regiment 512-782-3617 Classification: UNCLASSIFIED -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: RR44Memorial.ppt Type: application/vnd.ms-powerpoint Size: 1208832 bytes Desc: not available URL: From mission at txpgr.org Fri May 8 14:42:48 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Fri, 8 May 2009 14:42:48 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Confirmed Mission - May 15, 2009 - Richard Tuquero Message-ID: <008001c9d015$2b67bfc0$82373f40$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, The family of retired US Army First Sergeant Ricardo Tuquero has asked that the North Texas PGR participate in Mr. Tuquero's final services. The only information we have at this time is that the funeral will be in Duncanville, followed by interment at DFW National Cemetery and that both events will occur on Friday, May 15, 2009. Additional details will follow as they are known. Let's please stand tall and silent for this American Patriot as we assist him to his final resting place. Thank you. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Fri May 8 14:55:10 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Fri, 8 May 2009 14:55:10 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Confirmed Mission - May 29, 2009 - Leonard Hardeman Message-ID: <008e01c9d016$e54ee2a0$afeca7e0$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, The family of US Army veteran Leonard Hardeman has asked that the North Texas PGR participate in Mr. Hardeman's final services. The services will be held at DFW National Cemetery on May 29, 2009 at 11:00 AM. Additional details will be forthcoming as they are known. Let's stand tall and silent for this American Patriot as he is laid to rest. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Sun May 10 21:22:37 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Sun, 10 May 2009 21:22:37 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard May Meet 'n Greet - Saturday May 16, 2009 at 12:00 Message-ID: <76FF20A8C2A94A47871A929F468C8EF1@HPLaptop> May Meet 'n Greet Sorry I didn't get this posted sooner, but we've had out of town guests and running like there's no tomorrow! This month's M&G will be Saturday, May 16th at Stroker's on Harry Hines Blvd. in Dallas. For those of you who have never been there, here is the link. As usual, start time is around noon and goes until whenever. Come on out and join the fun! Hope to see you there. Just a reminder, the M&G will always be the third Saturday of each month so everyone can plan for it! Wendy "HotLips" Ingersoll NTX Contact Coordinator -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Sun May 10 23:03:50 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Sun, 10 May 2009 23:03:50 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Message From Far South Region Message-ID: <005601c9d1ed$7e07bb20$7a173160$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, Below is a message sent from Dan Creswell, "Diver Dan", the Deputy State Captain of the Far South Texas Region. Sounds like they're planning quite a party down there. We in South Texas are hosting a Patriots Weekend, our own Gathering of the Guard of sorts. We have worked hard and raised the money to rent out a local KOA at Lake Corpus Chrisit for the weekend of 18-20 Sept 2009. We will be having live music, vendors, some local rides through the area here around the lake and through some of our more scenic routes. We are putting alot of work into this and hope to make it an annual event for us. We are working on fliers and will be getting them out soon. I'll also post it on the Texas thread, but that may not be enough. This will be a family friendly event, we have cabins for rent as well as campsites. It will be a good time and hope we can get some of our PGR family from around the state to visit us here in South Texas. I'll send updates and more information as it comes available. Right now, we just want to get the info out to the rest of the state. Anyone interested in sites or cabins can contact Stephanie Hanks stevie78362 at yahoo.com or Tim Settle Settle4it at yahoo.com. The cabins are going fast, so they may want to get in touch with them soon. We are still working on prices for the general entry and that will be out as soon as I get it. Hope you all can make it. Thanks, take care and ride safe, Dan Creswell Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Mon May 11 23:33:56 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Mon, 11 May 2009 23:33:56 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard HOTH events Message-ID: <06c401c9d2ba$dcdb4f40$9691edc0$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, Our Texas HOTH Coordinator, our own North Texan Debbie Horton, has forwarded me a number of events that may be of interest to our riders. These are not actually PGR missions but events and items that we believe our riders would want to be made aware of and may wish to participate in on their own. Several of these are in the form of individual e-mails with event fliers, etc., attached. In the next several minutes I will be sending several e-mails via this list containing those events. Those with attachments will be sent one at a time so the attachments will stay with the e-mails they belong to and don't get mixed in with others and the whole thing get confusing. I'll combine e-mails where I can to keep the total e-mails to a minimum. So you will be able to tell that I am still sending this particular batch of e-mails, they will all have "HOTH events" as the subject line and the last message in this batch will have "HOTH events - last one" in its subject line. I hope this will make it easy for you to keep these separated from other announcements in your mailboxes. Please look these over and attend whatever you can. There are some other things coming up that we may be participating in as missions, but these are not among them. Thanks, everyone.and thanks to Debbie for sending them along. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Mon May 11 23:35:23 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Mon, 11 May 2009 23:35:23 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard HOTH event Message-ID: <06c901c9d2bb$108dde20$31a99a60$@net> This is the first of the HOTH event messages. _____ Attention FEMALE Riders. May 16th at the H-D in Allen from 11:00 am - 2:00pm . The Marines are washing bikes for the ladies for tips. . All proceeds going to the Metroplex Military Charitable Trust f/b/o the DFW Toys for Tots Motorcycle Run .and for you MALE Riders. . H-D has this whole 2009 Dallas Harley-Davidson Street Kings Bike Show going on at the same time, so y'all come out too and support the MDA and Toys for Tots. They have a whole bunch of stuff going on at the dealership, so check their website for details. My Next Ride: DFW Toys for Tots Motorcycle Run, December 5th, 2009 . Save the date. . We are still beginning and ending at the VFW Post in McKinney . Last year we had over 700 participants, which was a little more than we expected. We ran out of breakfast but we'll plan for a bigger crowd this year. . We filled a 7-Ton last year. Check out the pictures at http://www.metrictech.net/sponsored/tftots/tft.html . Check out Garage Day at one of our 2008 Sponsors, Metric Tech (http://www.metrictech.net/ ), on June 7, 2009. Work on your bike, watch other folks work on theirs, or just hang out. Local Rides I recommend: Moosefest, Saturday May 16th (from Christian Brooks) Hello All! Please Join me for this year's Moosefest! Mark your calendars for Saturday May 16th!!!! This Year Dallas Harley Davidson has joined us and we are having a Ride!!! Come out for a good time and a good cause - Special Olympics!!!!! Great Music, Food, Big Raffle and Fun... Music from Kelley Riley, Neon Moon, Jackie Don Loe, Kayla Reeves, The Christian Brooks Band and The Insiders!!!! Tickets are 10.00 and this year you can get them online - See Flyer Below - or contact me, I have tickets!!!! Let me know if you have any questions... Come help me Support the Local - and the other guy - It'll be fun. I hope to see you there!!!!! http://www.myspace.com/moosefestmusicfestival Regards, Christian Brooks snookie2000 at earthlink.net www.myspace.com/christianbrookstexas www.myspace.com/christianscustomleather www.myspace.com/texasbluesclub First Annual Bikers for BooBees May 30, 2009 (see attached flyer) . Benefiting the Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer 3-Day. . Riders can register at salexander at fulbright.com or rd_vann at hotmail.com or they can contact Sharon Alexander via telephone at 214-855-8056. Sharon will send each rider their registration/ride waiver and you can pay by o credit card through the 3-Day website (and we will give them instructions for that); o check made payable to "Breast Cancer 3-Day"; o by check or cash on the day of the event. o at Central Yamaha. . The first 100 riders will receive a t-shirt, bowling certificates, 4 free raffle tickets (more available to purchase), free breakfast tacos and coffee provided by Taco Cabana, free lunch provided by Plano Super Bowl. . Raffle will begin at the end of the ride at Plano Super Bowl. . Ride pins available for purchase. That's it for now. David Marks 214-563-4185 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: POSTER REPRINT (INCLUDES TWIN PEAKS, MONKEYS AND MAXIM).pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 66215 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: Final09ColorPoster.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 807102 bytes Desc: not available URL: From mission at txpgr.org Mon May 11 23:37:05 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Mon, 11 May 2009 23:37:05 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard HOTH event Message-ID: <06db01c9d2bb$4d9caa80$e8d5ff80$@net> 3rd Annual Tx Children's Music Festival/Needs Biker Help I have been helping this lady in Cleveland Texas with this Annual Fundraiser to get the Kids a Community Center, but she is in need of help. Her name is Brenda Myers - Ph# (936)499-2632, tell her you found out from Shakey Bob, I am Inclosing a flyer on it. For $100.00 donation your name would be added to their T-Shirts, I have been contacting all Rally Organizers with this flyer in hopes that they will help out. Regards Robert B Bailey AKA Shakey Bob Port Arthur Tx _____ Windows LiveT: Life without walls. Check it out. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 3atcmf.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 533961 bytes Desc: not available URL: From mission at txpgr.org Mon May 11 23:38:55 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Mon, 11 May 2009 23:38:55 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard HOTH event Message-ID: <06e101c9d2bb$8f262990$ad727cb0$@net> Homes For Our Troops Sporting Clays Shooting Events -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 09 HFOT DFW Entry Form.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 185084 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: 09 HFOT DFW flyer.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 4504588 bytes Desc: not available URL: From mission at txpgr.org Mon May 11 23:39:54 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Mon, 11 May 2009 23:39:54 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard HOTH event Message-ID: <06eb01c9d2bb$b206d7c0$16148740$@net> This is an Illinois event, but they are asking for the names of Fallen Heroes so that they can update the names on the Granite Memorial Wall. Debbie Horton Patriot Guard Riders Texas HOTH Coordinator Hello to whom it may concern. WE WILL BE SADLLY UPDATEDING THE NAMES OF THE FALLEN. IF YOU KNOW OF SOMEONE THAT LOST A FALLEN HERO IN THE MIDDLE EAST CONFICTS PLEASE CONTACT US. ALSO LET THEIR FAMILIES KNOW OF THIS EVENT IN THEIR HEROS HONOR. Can you please direct to the proper person in charge of public service announcements. On June 19th, 2004 a Granite Memorial Wall was dedicated commemorating the servicemen and women who have lost their lives in worldwide conflicts since 1979. The names on the wall represent the fallen heroes from such diverse locations as Panama, Lebanon, the Balkans, Grenada, Somalia, Haiti and the Middle East .ILFREEDOMRUN.ORG The Purpose of the Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Run is to show Our Brave Servicemen and Women, and their Families, that we support them, and to Honor Fallen Heroes. The ride to the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial in Marseilles Illinois is a tribute to our fallen. As is the wall memorial. The route is lined with Americans waving American Flags and paying tribute. In the past we have had 10's of thousands of participants. The money raised through you generous donations is used to update and maintain the Memorial, and to put this wonderful event together. The first Memorial we erected was in the small town of St Anne Illinois. Hometown of Capt. Ryan A. Beaupre, One of Illinois first casualties in the war against terror. We have donated Memorials to all of the Veteran Homes and Hospitals in The State of Illinois in Honor of all our Veterans, Past and Present. We have assisted many of our Fallen Heroes and their families. Any help at all will be appreciated. Thank you Jerry cooch The 7th Annual Illinois Motorcycle Freedom Run route has been changed Can you also help informing riders and participants. That this years memorial ride --WILL NOT BE LEAVEING FROM CHICAGOLAND SPEEDWAY IN JOLIET ILLINOIS- Due to construction on Interstate 80. This years run will be leaving Grundy County Fairgrounds in Morris Illinois exit #112 0ff Interstate 80. There is a $10.00 Donation, Line up at 6:00 a.m. Pancake breakfast till 10: 00/ $5.00, first bikes out at 10:30, Please decorate your bikes patriotically. Don't drink and ride. Support Our Servicemen and Women and their Families, Heal our Wounded and Honor our Fallen. Ceremony begins at 1:00 p.m. at the Middle East Conflicts Wall Memorial in Marseilles Thank you again for supporting the troops and there families -- Jerry cooch co founder ILFREEDOMRUN.ORG _____ -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 5626 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: IMFR2009Flyerrevised.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 1357912 bytes Desc: not available URL: From mission at txpgr.org Mon May 11 23:41:33 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Mon, 11 May 2009 23:41:33 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard HOTH event Message-ID: <06f201c9d2bb$ed6f9540$c84ebfc0$@net> USO Show - Post 424 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: USO-FY.pdf Type: application/pdf Size: 238097 bytes Desc: not available URL: From mission at txpgr.org Mon May 11 23:45:04 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Mon, 11 May 2009 23:45:04 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard HOTH event - last one Message-ID: <070d01c9d2bc$6b1e4400$415acc00$@net> Memorial Day - American Legion Post 21 has invited the PGR to attend a Memorial Day Ceremony at the Five Star Veterans Memorial. It will start at 8:00 a.m. with the singing of the National Anthem. They will honoring one of their local heroes who was KIA in Afghanistan and who will be awarded the Fallen Soldiers plaque. The Memorial is located at 4100 Blair Oaks, The Colony. To fine the Memorial, look for 3 large flag poles. There is a sports complex with a large parking lot. The Memorial is located at the east end of the parking lot. If you need further information, call Dewey Fambry at 972-370-5141 or 872-672-4264. May 23-24 - American Legion Post 218 in Irving is putting on a collections event for our soldiers deployed or deploying and for the Texas Military Family Foundation (TMFF - www.tmff.us) headquarters at Ft. Hood. The event will take place at Toyota of Irving located at 1999 W. Airport Frwy in Irving, TX on the Memorial Day weekend, May 23-24 (Sat, Sunday). The dealership is located on the North side of the Frwy between MacArthur Story Rd. We need riders for traffic control, meet and greet, flags, PR for PGR. Soldiers from Ft Hood that have been deployed and fixing to deploy to Iraq or Afghanistan will be our guests. Full media coverage will be announced prior to the event. We will be setting up Friday and will take down Sunday. The hours will be around approx 0900 to 1900 Sat, 0900 to 1500 Sunday. Food will be catered in and Porta Potties will be there as our guest too. Some of you know me. I am the guy in the red ford truck (American Legion, Commander written on it) that travels with David Hall and the Liberty Bell & I'm also a member of the PGR. I also will be requesting the Legion Riders to participate in this operation. The name of the event: 'Operation Texas Cares' email: optexascares at yahoo.com. For more info, my cell# 214-728-4888 or email ( alpost218irving at yahoo.com). I already have acquired the permit from the City of Irving for the event. J. Wayne Duckworth, Commander, American Legion Post 218, Iraq & Afghanistan Veteran, www.alpost218.com. Debbie Horton Patriot Guard Riders Texas HOTH Coordinator -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Tue May 12 19:04:24 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 19:04:24 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard HOTH Event Message-ID: <002f01c9d35e$5fe9e380$1fbdaa80$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, Below is another HOTH event for your consideration from Debbie Horton. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR My name is Walter R. Coleman and I am the Chairman of the Fallen Heroes Foundation ( www.TexasFallenHeroes.com). We are responsible for building the National Memorial honoring the KIA in the Gulf War, Operations Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. This Memorial will not be going to Wash.,DC.................it is being located in north Texas. Both administrations have turned us down for monetary requests and there is no more land available in DC. So we are going grass roots in order to raise the funds. On the morning of May 29th, 2009 I will be embarking on a 3,300 unassisted walk of Texas that will be starting in Waxahachie. The City is planning a send off at 10:00 AM at the Chick-Fil-A at the intersection of 287 and 77. We will be presenting a plaque to the family of Lance Cpl. Seibert. I will be arriving at Midlothian and 4 PM to present a plaque to the family of Capt. Lyle Gordon. On June 1st, I will be leaving Alvarado at 10:00 AM and going to Cleburne to be met by the City at Caddos Street Grill at 4:00 PM to honor the family of Spc. Jeremy O. Allmon. We'd like the Guard to be represented at these functions. We don't wish to be followed, just seen off and greeted. Walter R.E. Coleman (Evan) Chairman Main: 817-808-2138 Fax: 817-225-2825 www.TexasFallenHeroes.com -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Tue May 12 20:42:48 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 20:42:48 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Final Itinerary - Ricardo Tuquero - May 15, 2009 Message-ID: <005b01c9d36c$1f23ac10$5d6b0430$@net> FINAL ITINERARY 1st SGT Ricardo Fider Tuquero United States Army Mission Date; May 15, 2009 Ride Captain: Steve "Ghost" Hirtzel, (817) 371-8498 (c); steve.e.hirtzel at lmco.com Mr. Tuquero was inducted into the United States Army on September 22, 1975 and discharged on September 30, 1995. As a supply sergeant Mr. Tuquero significantly contributed to the overall readiness of the United States Army in which he earned commendations, medals and ribbons. Mr. Tuquero was born on November 11, 1950 and passed away on May 06, 2009. He is preceded by his brothers and sisters - Arcie, Rose, Melchor, Lito and Romy. Survived by his wife Amelia and Children - Jovita, Rick, Raymond, Valeria and Mary Joy. The PGR plague will be presented to Mr. Tuquero youngest child Mary Joy. Part 1 - Church Service: Friday, May 15, 2009 - 11:00 AM Staging - 9:30 AM; Briefing / Flag Line - 10:00 AM Holy Spirit Catholic Church 1111 W. Danieldale Road Duncanville, TX 75137 Map - http://tinyurl.com/opq6r4 We will set up our flag line and stand tall and silent as the family and guests arrive. Mass should last about an hour. Once the service begins we will break down the flag line and prepare to ride in the procession to DFW National Cemetery. There will be an Escort to DFW which is 7.93 miles or 13 minutes. Part 2 - Interment Service: Friday, May 15, 2009 - 1:00 PM Staging: Riders not in the procession will stage at 12:30 PM DFW National Cemetery 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway Dallas, TX 75211 Map- http://tinyurl.com/6xvnw7 On arrival at the cemetery, big flag bikes will remain at the visitor center with the procession and remaining bikes / cage's will proceed to the shelter location to assist with the preparation for the service. For anyone who will not be able to attend Part 1 of the service, check in at the visitor's center for shelter location. Please stage no later than 12:30 PM and ready to begin preparing the area for Mr. Tuquero arrival. We will use the flags in storage at the shelter for this part of the mission. Part 3 - Special Invite (Lunch): Friday, May 15, 2009 - 1:45 PM Staging: Riders / Cage's able to attend, we will line up after the service at DFW and ride together back to the Church, which is 7.93 miles or 13 minutes. Note from Mr. Capalad cousin to Mr. Tuquero "You are all invited to lunch after the service at the church.I personally invite you all to join us. This will help the family to sum-up what we (veteran) have done. Mr.Capalad was a Combat Corpsman in the United States Navy. Mr. Tuquero friends are civilian who have never seen what the (PGR) does for our departed American Hero's - PLEASE JOIN US..." Holy Spirit Catholic Church 1111 W. Danieldale Road Duncanville, TX 75137 Map - http://tinyurl.com/opq6r4 Weather: 20% rain a high of 87 degrees. Bill Mayo will be at both locations with the flag/water truck. Safety First: Iron horses if you can, cages are always welcome and appreciated. Please remember that our mission is to stand tall, silent, and with honor and respect for this veteran and his family. Respectfully Submitted, Steve "Ghost" Hirtzel North Texas Ride Captain -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Tue May 12 21:01:09 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 21:01:09 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Confirmed Mission - May 25, 2009 - Memorial Day Message-ID: <006e01c9d36e$af143450$0d3c9cf0$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, The North Texas PGR has been invited to participate in the Memorial Day ceremonies being hosted by American Legion Post 379 in Bedford, TX. The ceremonies are being held at the Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home/Memorial Park (Colleyville) in the Veteran's Garden on Memorial Day, May 25, 2009, at 9:00 AM. They are expecting 800-1000 people for the event. Fire trucks from Grapevine and Colleyville will be used to hoist a large U.S. flag and, at this time, we have been asked to ride around the inside perimeter of the entire memorial park as a part of the event. Big flag bikes, therefore, will be a must. We have been invited to the Legion Post for lunch following the ceremony. Details are still being worked out. Randy Roberts has agreed to Ride Captain this mission and details will be forthcoming as they are known. This promises to be a memorable ceremony. Thank you. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Tue May 12 23:40:04 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Tue, 12 May 2009 23:40:04 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Confirmed Mission - May 23, 2009 - Hearthstone Assisted Living Message-ID: <00c601c9d384$e27286b0$a7579410$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, The North Texas PGR has been asked to come to Hearthstone Assisted Living Facility in Lewisville on May 23, 2009 (delayed from the original invitation from Armed Forces Day due to our previously scheduled meet and greet) to meet with the residents there, some of whom are veterans, and to spend about an hour with them. We will stage at a location away from the property and the folks will be assembled outside so they may see us arrive. World War II music will play, photo opportunities for residents on our motorcycles will be had and it will give us a chance to talk to the folks who live there, both civilian and veteran alike, about their experiences and thank them for their contributions to making our country great. The event is currently scheduled for 2:00 PM and should last about an hour. Refreshments will be served and it's a great opportunity for us to visit one on one with people and give them a special day. The address is 400 Highland Drive in Lewisville and additional details are currently being worked on. It's sure to be a good time for everyone. A final itinerary will be published as soon as the details are known. It's so very important for us to take advantage of these times around our national patriotic holidays such as Armed Forces Day and Memorial Day to pay tribute to those currently serving, those who formerly served, and to those who have served and passed on. They earned it. This and so much more. And to those in our own ranks who currently serve and who formerly served.thank you, also. Each of you have had a hand in making America great. Stand tall and be proud. Thanks for all you do. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Wed May 13 16:18:14 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Wed, 13 May 2009 16:18:14 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard SE Texas Flags Stolen Message-ID: <007d01c9d410$539cf3d0$fad6db70$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, We've just been notified that flags belonging to the SE Texas PGR have been stolen. Please be on the lookout for anyone trying to sell or otherwise get rid of a large number of flags, poles, etc. Please also alert anyone you know who may hear of such a transaction trying to be made. Additional details are below and come from the State Captain. If they come our way, let's recover them for our brothers and sisters in SE Texas. Thanks Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR One of South East Texas' support trucks had taken out his Flags to clean his truck and stored them on his front porch. When he came back all of the flags were gone. Any help you can be will be greatly appreciated by DSC Rick Cunningham and the SETexas PGR. > All Flags Mounted on 2 sections of 3/4 white PVC with a 3/4 > inch coupling to connect the 2 Five foot sections together > with a cap on top painted Gold and a clear coating of rubber > over the Gold to protect the paint > These flags are rolled up ..two 5 foot sections with a > rubber band holding the flag and the PVC poles in place. The > flags are mounted to the PVC pipe with 2 Black Hillman > Push-In Nylon Rivet 7/16 inch, 2 holes are drilled in to the > pole to hold the flag in place > All the Flags taken were 3ft by 5 foot > > In addition to the 50 American flags there were also taken > > Then there were single sided Flags > > World War II Flag honoring them Blue flag , White circle > with an eagle in the center with the words in RED in the > circle " A Grateful Nation Remembers" and the > words at the bottom in Yellow "1941- 1945 > 1991-1995" and at the bottom in white print the words > "World War II" > > 2 Texas Flags > > Blue Star Flag . White with a Blue star in the middle with > Red border > > Fire Department Flag.. Red with black lettering and the > Fire Dept emblem in the center > > 2 We Support Out Troops flags.. White flag .. These have > the words. "WE Support Out Troops" with 4 main > branches of the Armed Forces in 4 corners and one has a > large Yellow Ribbon on it > > KIA Killed in Action .. Red flag with Black lettering > > POW/MIA Flag .. Prisoner Of War Flag .. Black with White > lettering.. a circle in the middle with the head of a POW in > the middle and the words "You are not forgotten" > at the bottom and the letters "POW*MIA" across > the top > > Viet Nam Veterans Flag.., Yellow flag with Viet Nam emblem > and Stars on one end with the words .." Viet Nam > Veteran " written on it > > Viet Nan Complain flag .. Black flag with a picture of Viet > Nam in the center with a Red circle around it with 12 of > major Complain troops emblems on the outer side the circle > and the words " Our Cause Was Just" written on the > top of the circle > > PGR Flag ..Patriot Guard Flag .. Bright Yellow with Blue > writing with a triangle and 6 stars in it with the words > Patriot Guard Riders around the triangle and the words > " Standing for those Who Stood for Us" at the > bottom > > Korean War Veterans Flag .. Blue flag with a white circel > with black print " Korean War Veterans " and > "1950-1953" and "Liberty at the bottom" > In the circel there are 7 stars, 2 jets , an soldier going > up a hill and a ship at the bottom, all in black print. > There are Golden leaves around the circle > > Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003 > > Dessert Storm > > Double sided ( 2 flags placed back to back and sewn > together) > United States Marines Flag > United Stated Air force > United Stated Coast Guard > United States Army > United States Navy > Value $75.00 each > > These were all 5 foot long But next to them were other > American flags but these had 8 foot PVC Pipe and may have > been to long to fit in what there were transporting them > in.. suggesting a short bed truck -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Thu May 14 02:19:17 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 02:19:17 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Confirmed Mission - Saturday, May 16, 2009 - Roy Jordan Message-ID: <010b01c9d464$4ad08f10$e071ad30$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, The family of Roy Edgar Jordan has asked that the North Texas PGR participate in the final services for this US Army veteran. Mr. Jordan is the father of East Texas PGR member Curt "Cujo" Jordan. Our participation will consist of a flag line at Mr. Jordan's memorial service at the Christian Care Center in Mesquite on Saturday, May 16, 2009, scheduled to begin at 3:00 PM. Mr. Jordan passed away on Wednesday evening and additional details are being gathered. A final itinerary will be forthcoming when plans are finalized. This will not cancel the meet and greet event planned for Saturday but rather give us a staging point of sorts to gather for the mission. I know that we will all want to turn out to honor a family member of one of our own brothers. Thank you all. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Thu May 14 02:42:37 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 02:42:37 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard HOTH event Message-ID: <013401c9d467$8dc2be80$a9483b80$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, Below please find information from Debbie Horton on another HOTH event. This event is scheduled on the same day and time as an Honor mission but was scheduled in advance of our learning of the Honor mission. If anyone is in the Richardson area and, for some reason, is unable to attend the Honor mission for First Sergeant Tuquero please give this event a look. Thank you. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR Friday, May 15th, the Jackson Technology Center in Garland is taking its 8th grade class to DFW to greet the troops. Afterwards, they will go to Cottonwood Park in Richardson. They have asked the PGR to come out and talk to these 8th graders (about 200) about the PGR, who we are, what we do and why we do it? If you would like to join Rick Crabb and I to help instill a little patriotism and respect for our veterans and troops into these kids, please join us. Rick and I will be in my car, so it'd be nice to have a few motorcycles to really get their attention. The park is located at 1400 W. Beltline Road in Richardson. We will stage at 9:30 a.m. at the shopping center on the corner of Coit and Beltline and ride in together about 10:00 a.m. Not mandatory, but if you think you'll be able to come out would you send me an e-mail (deb at hal-deb.com). If it rains, please don't come out. They will go back to the school instead of the park. Thanks. As a side note, the teacher we were contacted by is Ms. Young. Her husband is a member of 3-124th Raptor, Calvary Reconnaissance/Surveillance Squadron that we sent off from Wylie last July. Debbie Horton Patriot Guard Riders Texas HOTH Coordinator -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Thu May 14 15:38:49 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 15:38:49 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Confirmed Mission - May 20, 2009 - Euless Trinity High School Message-ID: <007f01c9d4d3$fce035b0$f6a0a110$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, Gold Star Mother Kei Torres, mom of the late Corporal Jason K. LaFleur, Killed in Action on August 4, 2007 in Hawr Rajab, Iraq, and her sister, Ms. Marsha Brown of Euless Trinity High School have invited the North Texas PGR to participate in an event on May 20, 2009 at 4:30 PM at the High School. The students are holding a memorial for all of the members of our Armed Forces who have fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have painted sticks with the names of all of the fallen on them and those will be placed on the West lawn of the High School and will remain there through the Memorial Day holiday for all to see. The ceremony will consist of, in part, the Euless Fire Department posting the Colors, Mayors from the surrounding cities have been invited to speak, the students and the community have been asked to attend, etc. We have been asked to provide a flag line for this event as these young people honor our American Patriots and Heroes. What a great way to show support for these students who are also standing for those who stood for us. A final itinerary will be coming soon so please keep an eye out. We will be a little busy with HOTH related activities around this Memorial Day period but standing tall and silent in memory of those who have stood for us is what we're all about. Thanks, everyone. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Thu May 14 15:53:03 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Thu, 14 May 2009 15:53:03 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Confirmed Mission - Vietnam Wall Escort - May 20, 2009 Message-ID: <008d01c9d4d5$f9bdae10$ed390a30$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, On May 20, 2009 the Tannehill Masonic Lodge #52 will be bringing a Vietnam travelling wall from Fouts Field on the campus of the University of North Texas to Dallas city hall for a ceremony there and then on to Fair Park where there will be events held at that location on May 23, 2009. The North Texas PGR has been asked to participate in the escort from Denton to Dallas and then on to Fair Park and to pass along that all big flag bikes are more than welcome. A flyer for the event can be found at www.tannehill52.org. The Dallas Police Department will come to Fouts Field to escort the procession to Dallas city hall for speeches from the Mayor and other dignitaries and then on to Fair Park. This is not a PGR run event but we very much respect any movement of a Vietnam wall tribute through North Texas and consider it an honor to be invited to participate and consider it a mission. The safety briefing is scheduled for 9:30AM with KSU at 10:00AM. Additional information will be forthcoming in the form of a final itinerary. It is not anticipated that this will, in any way, interfere with the mission later in the day at Trinity High School. There should be plenty of time between events for rest, etc. Thank you. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Fri May 15 02:54:26 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Fri, 15 May 2009 02:54:26 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard (no subject) Message-ID: <011e01c9d532$5e513070$1af39150$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, I thought you might find this of interest. I just saw this flyer today. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR OHOH Logo Media Contact: Jeff Berres- 512-965-5909 jeff at fitcitysports.com Nancy Glass- 512-567-3939 Lauren McIntyre- 512-470-4331 honorheroes at yahoo.com INAUGURAL LONE STAR TRAIL of HEROES: RUN ACROSS TEXAS May 17-25, 2009 One Mile One Hero One Country Raising Funds and Awareness One Mile at a Time Relay Team will cover one mile for each Texas fallen service member in Run from Amarillo to Austin Austin, Texas (April 6, 2009) Inspired by the sacrifice of military men and women whose lives were lost in Iraq and Afghanistan, an Austin-based 501 (c) 3 organization, OPERATION HONOR OUR HEORES, was formed to assist wounded warriors and veterans and their families. To accomplish the organization's mission, a team of runners will embark on a cross country run this May to honor every Texas fallen service member, all wounded service members, and all of the men and women in the United States Armed Forces. The Lone Star Trail of Heroes: Run Across Texas will begin in Amarillo on May 17 at the Panhandle War Memorial and will cover over 400 miles before finishing in Austin on Memorial Day, May 25. Cities included in the Run include Amarillo, Childress, Quanah, Vernon, Wichita Falls, Gainesville, Denton, Ft.Worth, Hillsboro, Abbott, West, Waco, Temple, Belton, Killeen, Salado, Georgetown, Round Rock, and Austin. Runners will mark every mile of their journey with a United States flag, a photo, and a biographical card in honor of every fallen service member. The dedication markers are being made by students and JROTC cadets at Tascosa High School in Amarillo, Marcus High School in Flower Mound, the Leander I.S.D. (Cedar Park, Leander, Vista Ridge, Rouse High Schools) and Bowie High School in Austin will create a symbolic memorial trail across Texas. This Run will be a living memorial that the runners hope can be continued from year to year and from city to city in Texas. While each flag will represent a soldier who has fallen, the run will represent all men and women of the United States military. In particular, this journey will honor all wounded warriors and veterans and their families. For Every Fallen Hero there are 8 Wounded Heroes. The team will be asking individuals and businesses across Texas to donate one dollar for each mile that the runners cover on their way from Amarillo to Austin. All funds raised by the Run will be donated to wounded warriors and veterans and their families. For more information on Operation Honor Our Heroes visit www.honorheroes.org . Specific information regarding the Run can be found at www.lonestartrailofheroes.org and at www.runtex.com . -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 1083276 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: image/jpeg Size: 15314 bytes Desc: not available URL: From mission at txpgr.org Fri May 15 18:28:43 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Fri, 15 May 2009 18:28:43 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Final Itinerary - Roy E. Jordan - May 16, 2009 Message-ID: <005201c9d5b4$e2e221f0$a8a665d0$@net> FINAL ITINERARY Roy Edgar Jordan; Corporal United States Army; World War II Mission Date; May 16, 2009 Ride Captain: Steve "Badger" Lucas; (940) 206-4196 (c); pgrlucas at charter.net In 1943, Mr. Jordan enlisted in the United States Army in Company K, 405th Regiment, 102nd Infantry Division and entered the ETO in 1944 as a Corporal - Rifleman. Upon honorable discharge with 2 Bronze Stars, a Purple Heart Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, 2 European-African Middle Eastern Medals and several other decorations he attended Hillsboro Junior College, Ohio State University and SMU and graduated with a degree in Electrical Engineering in 1949. He served as an Electronic Aerospace Engineer all over the country and helped develop the guidance system for the Saturn 5 Rockets used in all of the Apollo space missions. During 1964 and '65 he performed the production engineering and coordinated the fabrication and test of the control electronics of the OSO and Mariner satellites which are, as we speak, still on their way to the outer limits of our Solar System gathering and transmitting information. Mr. Jordan is survived by his wife Genevieve, 3 children, 9 grandchildren, 4 great grandchildren, 3 brothers and a sister. Part 1 - Memorial Service: Saturday, May 16, 2009 - 3:00 PM; Christian Care Center Chapel Staging - 2:00 PM; Briefing - 2:15 PM Christian Care Center 1000 Wiggins Parkway Mesquite, TX 75150 972-686-3000 Map - http://tinyurl.com/oqglaf This mission is a memorial service only with a private burial being held in another city. We will stand a flag line prior to the service, break during the service and then resume the flag line at the conclusion of the service. Mr. Jordan is the father of a fellow PGR member, Curt "Cujo" Jordan of the East Texas PGR. For those attending the meet and greet prior to the mission and wanting to ride as a group to the Christian Care Center Chapel, we should be leaving somewhere prior to 1:30 PM, allowing for flexibility due to weather conditions. For those not attending the meet and greet or those wishing to go to the staging area on your own.we have been instructed to park in the welcome center parking lot and the chapel should be very close by. The buildings are marked. It is my understanding that the welcome center area is straight ahead after turning onto Wiggins Parkway. PLEASE NOTE: The management of Christian Care Center has asked us to remember that this is a retirement and medical care facility and to please keep the motorcycle engine noise down as much as possible once we enter the property. Weather: Forecast is wide spread thunderstorms with a high of 75 degrees. Please keep an eye on the weather and dress accordingly. Please remember that our mission is to stand tall, silent, and with honor and respect for this American patriot of the Greatest Generation. Iron Horses if you can; cages are always welcome and appreciated. The flag/water truck will be present. Respectfully Submitted, Steve Lucas North Texas Deputy State Captain -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Sat May 16 22:32:19 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Sat, 16 May 2009 22:32:19 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Vietnam Vet is Oldest US Casualty in Iraq Message-ID: <002701c9d6a0$159f90a0$40deb1e0$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, Please pardon this intrusion but I thought you might find this article interesting reading. Vietnam Vet Is Oldest US Casualty in Iraq By JIM KAVANUGH , CNN posted: 1 DAY 1 HOUR AGO comments: 101 filed under: Iraq News , National News http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/100014629x1207153240x1200375227/aol?redir=http ://news.aol.com/article/oldest-soldier/485931http://pr.atwola.com/promoclk/1 00014629x1207153240x1200375227/aol?redir=http://news.aol.com/article/oldest- soldier/485931Print javascript:void(0)Share Text SizeAA A (May 15) - Army Maj. Steven Hutchison fought battles in the jungles of Vietnam. Then he fought an epic battle on the home front. And at age 60, he still wasn't done fighting for his country. The battle ended for Hutchison on Sunday. He died in Basra, Iraq, of wounds from a roadside bomb in Al Farr. He is the oldest U.S. service member to die in Iraq or Afghanistan. Skip over this content Latest Photos From Iraq javascript:soKe.pgPopUp('news-news_popup_iraqphotos') Reuters 500 photos javascript:soKe.pgPopUp('news-news_popup_iraqphotos') javascript:soKe.pgPopUp('news-news_popup_iraqphotos') A U.S. soldier (R) takes a picture while Iraqi soldiers check ammunition and shells during a raid in Yusufiyah district, 20 km (12 miles) south of Baghdad, May 12, 2009. Weapons and explosives were found during the operation and around three gunmen were arrested, Iraqi soldiers said. REUTERS/Ahmed Malik (IRAQ CONFLICT POLITICS MILITARY) (Note: Please disable your pop-up blocker) Hutchison joined the Army in 1966 and served two one-year tours in Vietnam, according to a news release from Fort Riley, Kansas, home of Hutchison's 1st Infantry Division, the famous "Big Red One." Over the next 22 years, he was a platoon leader in Germany and commander of a basic training company at Fort Jackson, South Carolina. Skip over this content Along the way, he earned a doctorate in psychology from the University of Delaware and became an assistant professor of military science at Claremont College in California. He was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and the Meritorious Service Medal, among others. Hutchison retired from the military in 1988 and took up the quiet life of a college professor. He taught at several small colleges in California and became a researcher for a health care company in Scottsdale, Arizona, said his brother, Richard Hutchison. But Hutchison felt compelled to re-enlist after the terrorist attacks of Sept. 11, 2001. His wife, Kandy, vetoed that idea, however. That decision proved fateful as Hutchison was able to stand by his wife's side through her battle with breast cancer. She died of the disease in January 2006. The always-athletic Hutchison channeled his grief by whipping himself into shape and returning to active duty at age 57 the following year, his brother said. Military rules say retirees may be recalled up to age 64 for general officers, 62 for warrant officers and 60 for all others. Hutchison served a tour in Afghanistan and then was sent to Iraq, where he was part of a team training Iraqi forces to secure their own country. "He's been a soldier his whole life," Richard Hutchison, of Mesa, Arizona, told CNN affiliate KNXV-TV. "He was a great guy," he told CNN. "We hung around together, we went to the movies together, went out to dinner together. He loved to shoot pool; we used to shoot pool all the time, either at my house or at his house. He was just a great friend and a great brother." The soldier-psychology professor, who is also survived by two daughters and two half-siblings, had a mischievous side, too. Skip over this content "He liked to tease me about him being younger than me, even though he was five years older than me," Richard Hutchison said with a soft chuckle. "He would tell everyone he was the youngest one. And they would believe him. Made me feel real good." Richard Hutchison plans to fly to Dover Air Force Base in Delaware over the weekend to claim his brother's body and return it to Scottsdale for burial. The last communication the brothers had was a routine e-mail Steven Hutchison sent from Iraq about two weeks ago. He rarely wrote about his experiences in Iraq, Richard Hutchison said. However, there was one matter on the ground that the soldier involved his brother in. "When he was in Iraq, they found a dog and were taking care of it. He sent me an e-mail asking me to send some dog food and dog supplies," Hutchison said. The Army made Hutchison's team give up the dog, but they left it in good hands, his brother said. "He had a big heart." C 2009 Cable News Network. Turner Broadcasting System, Inc. All Rights Reserved. 2009-05-15 17:52:34 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Sat May 16 22:35:58 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Sat, 16 May 2009 22:35:58 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Archer City Mission Final Itinerary Message-ID: <003201c9d6a0$97bac140$c73043c0$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, For those attending, or considering attending, the Archer City mission - below is the final itinerary, FYI. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR This is the Final Itinerary for a Memorial service, May 23, 2009 being hosted by the Windthorst/Scotland, Texas VFW Post #2676. This event will honor 3 Fallen Heroes from Windthorst, Tx ---- Leo Blake, WWII, Paul Himmels, Korea and Gary Johnston, Iraq. The Patriot Guard has been invited to attend and participate. Ride Captains: Dave (Grinch) Griminger 940 585 8968 & Cecil (Lawman) Yoder 940-733-5710 Mission: The Johnston Family, family of Marine Sgt Gary Johnston, KIA Iraq, PGR mission February 2007, have asked to meet with Patriot Guard Riders at the cemetery in Archer City and ride to Windthorst to start the ceremony. They invite anyone with a motorcycle to join them at the cemetery and ride with the PGR to the Memorial event. Riders should be at the cemetery by 9:30 a.m. http://www.mapquest.com/maps?city=Archer+City&state=TX&country=US&latitude=3 3.5956&longitude=-98.625298&geocode=CITY Staging: Wichita Falls area Patriot Guard Riders will stage at 8:30 a.m. in the SE corner of the Southerlands parking lot and KSU will be at 8:45 for the ride to the Archer City cemetery. After meeting with the Johnston family, the Johnstons will lead the ride leaving the cemetery at 10:00 for the 12 mile ride to the Memorial location at the Grotto (below St. Mary's Catholic Church) in Windthorst. The Memorial begins at 11:00 a.m. After arriving PGR will form a flag line forming a semi-circle around the crowd. Weather: Being late May, we can probably expect high 80 or low 90s and sunny. Remember, this is Texas, so please plan accordingly Iron horses with flags if you can, cages are always welcome and always appreciated. Flags are limited, so bring your own if you can. All bike groups are welcome to ride with us. Please remember that our mission is to Stand Tall and Silent, with honor and respect for The Memorial of Sgt. Gary Jonhston, Leo Blake, Paul Himmels and their families. Following the Memorial presentation, lunch will be served and all riders are encouraged to stay for lunch. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Sat May 16 22:40:10 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Sat, 16 May 2009 22:40:10 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Abilene Dedication Message-ID: <003d01c9d6a1$2e3b3280$8ab19780$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, The message below is from Abilene Ride Captain Kelly Evinger regarding a dedication there. The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to participate in the dedication ceremony for the newest VA Cemetery in Abilene, TX. There will be dignitaries from the Veterans Administration and other entities there. Congressman Randy Neugebauer will be the guest speaker along with Dismissal by Paul and Julianne Ruska a local WWII POW. Crowd is expected to be anywhere between 500 and 800 people for the dedication. Tentative Plans Staging: Exxon/Al Sups on FM 600 (West Lake Rd.) and I20 in Abilene, TX across from Denny's. Staging Time: 0915 KSU: 0935 We will ride from the Exxon to the cemetery in group formation as we would for a procession. I timed it with no traffic at 55 mph, it should take approx 5 min to the entrance of the cemetery. APD or cemetery personnel will stop traffic at gate. Once we arrive at the cemetery, we need to dismount and set the flag line for the dedication. Large flags definitely wanted. http://maps.google.com/maps?f=d &source=s_d&saddr=I-20+abilene,+TX&daddr=Coma nche+Lane+Abilene,+TX&hl=en&geocode=&mra=ls&sll=37.0625,-95.677068&sspn=19.3 70971,35.859375&ie=UTF8&ll=32.499917,-99.729767&spn=0.160413,0.280151&z=11 Place: FM 600 (Westlake RD.) Fort Phantom area, Abilene, TX. At the corner of Comanche Lane and FM 600 (West Lake Rd.). Date: Monday 25 May 2009 Flag Line: Time: 1000 or soon after Ceremonies will start promptly at 1030 and last no longer than 1hr. Updates may follow Ride Captain: Kelly Evinger Kelly Evinger AKA " Milcwboy " Abilene PGR R/C 325-864-1638 Milcwboy at PatriotGuard.org -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Sat May 16 22:55:13 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Sat, 16 May 2009 22:55:13 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Confirmed Mission - May 24, 2009 - Broadway Plaza at Westover Hills Message-ID: <004b01c9d6a3$488440d0$d98cc270$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, The North Texas PGR has been invited to come to the Broadway Plaza at Westover Hills retirement community on Sunday, May 24, 2009 between 2:00 and 4:00 PM to visit with the veterans and other residents there and participate in their Memorial Day celebration. We will stage off site and ride in as a group with flags flying while the residents are outside to welcome us. We will participate in a flag raising, visit with the veterans, including both male and female veterans, and an Iwo Jima veteran who is unable to travel to the Iwo Jima reunions held in Wichita Falls each year. At 3:00 PM a USO show will be held and we have all been invited to attend the show. Refreshments will be served throughout and the entire event will be over by 4:00PM. This is a 90 bed retirement facility with a 17 bed Alzheimer's unit. This will be our second event this year where we will help bring Memorial Day to veterans and others who cannot otherwise get out to other Memorial Day events. Additional details will be forthcoming. The time around Memorial Day is traditionally busy for the PGR.as it should be. Thank you all for supporting those who have stood for all of us. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Mon May 18 22:59:10 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 22:59:10 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Final Itinerary - Vietnam Wall Escort (Denton to Dallas) - May 20, 2009 Message-ID: <016301c9d836$2ab30a20$80191e60$@net> FINAL ITINERARY Vietnam Wall Escort Mission Date; May 20, 2009 Ride Captain: Mike "Gunner" Lambert; (817) 368-9076 (c); mikelambert2 at aol.com On May 20, 2009 the Tannehill Masonic Lodge #52 will be bringing a Vietnam travelling wall from Fouts Field on the campus of the University of North Texas to Dallas city hall for a ceremony there and then on to Fair Park where there will be events held at that location on May 23, 2009. The North Texas PGR has been asked to participate in the escort from Denton to Dallas and then on to Fair Park. All PGR bikes are welcome to attend. A flyer for the event can be found at www.tannehill52.org. The Dallas Police Department will come to Fouts Field to escort the procession to Dallas city hall for speeches from the Mayor and other dignitaries and then on to Fair Park. This is not a PGR managed event but we very much respect any movement of a Vietnam Wall through North Texas and consider it an honor to be invited to participate. Part 1 - Escort: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 - 10:00 AM; Fouts Field (Football Stadium), University of North Texas, Denton, TX Staging - 9:00 AM; Briefing - 9:30 AM; Kick Stands Up - 10:00 AM Fouts Field 2200 North I-35E (Service Road) Denton, TX 76201 Map - http://tinyurl.com/qu85u5 This mission will consist only of escorting the wall along with other motorcyclists who may be present to participate. Weather: Forecast is for clear and a high of 83 degrees. With warmer weather beginning please remember to properly hydrate (including the night before) before any outdoor activity and to dress appropriately. Do not hesitate to take a break at any time if you feel you need to get in the shade or get indoors and always ask for help at any time. It is our understanding that motorcycles are the vehicle of choice to participate in this escort. The flag/water truck will NOT be present during this mission so please make proper arrangements for water and Gatorade or similar type drink(s). Respectfully Submitted, Mike "Gunner" Lambert North Texas Ride Captain -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Mon May 18 23:25:52 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Mon, 18 May 2009 23:25:52 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Final Itinerary - Euless Trinity High School Dedication - May 20, 2009 Message-ID: <017401c9d839$e5742760$b05c7620$@net> FINAL ITINERARY Memorial Day Dedication Event Euless Trinity High School Mission Date; May 20, 2009 Ride Captain: "Rapid" Roy Trimble; (817) 975-4436 (c); rracer65 at aol.com Gold Star Mother Kei Torres, mom of the late Corporal Jason K. LaFleur, Killed in Action on August 4, 2007 in Hawr Rajab, Iraq, and her sister, Ms. Marsha Brown of Euless Trinity High School have invited the North Texas PGR to participate in an event on May 20, 2009 at 4:30 PM at the High School. The students are holding a memorial for all of the members of our Armed Forces who have fallen in Iraq and Afghanistan. They have painted sticks with the names of all of the fallen on them and those will be placed on the West lawn of the High School and will remain there through the Memorial Day holiday for all to see. The ceremony will consist of, in part, the Euless Fire Department posting the Colors, Mayors from the surrounding cities have been invited to speak, the students and the community have been asked to attend, and a featured speaker has been scheduled. We have been asked to provide a flag line for this event as these young people honor our American Patriots and Heroes. What a great way to show support for these students who are also standing for those who stood for us. Part 1 - Flag Line: Wednesday, May 20, 2009 - 4:30 PM; Euless Trinity High School, Euless, TX Staging - 3:45 PM; Briefing - 4:00 PM Euless Trinity High School 500 North Industrial Euless, TX 76039 817-571-0271 Map - http://tinyurl.com/ploc9d This mission will consist of standing a flag line during the program. We will park in the west parking lot at the high school and the event will take place near the fine arts building. Weather: Forecast is for clear and a high of 83 degrees. With warmer weather beginning, please remember to properly hydrate (including the night before) before any outdoor activity and to dress appropriately. Do not hesitate to take a break at any time if you feel you need to get in the shade or get indoors and always ask for help at any time. Also, please don't forget your sun screen. The flag/water truck will be present during this mission. Respectfully Submitted, "Rapid" Roy Trimble North Texas Ride Captain -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Tue May 19 02:03:27 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 02:03:27 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Great Article Message-ID: <019e01c9d84f$e8ac1ee0$ba045ca0$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, Please pardon the intrusion but I thought you might want to read the article below. I found it quite motivating. Thank you. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR Joe Galloway - Co-author of "We Were Soldiers Once... And Young" FRIDAY MORNING AT THE PENTAGON By JOSEPH L. GALLOWAY McClatchy Newspapers Over the last 12 months, 1,042 soldiers, Marines, sailors and Air Force personnel have given their lives in the terrible duty that is war. Thousands more have come home on stretchers, horribly wounded and facing months or years in military hospitals.. This week, I'm turning my space over to a good friend and former roommate, Army Lt. Col. Robert Bateman, who recently completed a yearlong tour of duty in Iraq and is now back at the Pentagon. Here's Lt. Col. Bateman's account of a little-known ceremony that fills the halls of the Army corridor of the Pentagon with cheers, applause and many tears every Friday morning. It first appeared on May 17 on the Weblog of media critic and pundit Eric Alterman at the Media Matters for America Website. "It is 110 yards from the "E" ring to the "A" ring of the Pentagon. This section of the Pentagon is newly renovated; the floors shine, the hallway is broad, and the lighting is bright. At this instant the entire length of the corridor is packed with officers, a few sergeants and some civilians, all crammed tightly three and four deep against the walls. There are thousands here. This hallway, more than any other, is the `Army' hallway. The G3 offices line one side, G2 the other, G8 is around the corner. All Army. Moderate conversations flow in a low buzz. Friends who may not have seen each other for a few weeks, or a few years, spot each other, cross the way and renew. Everyone shifts to ensure an open path remains down the center. The air conditioning system was not designed for this press of bodies in this area. The temperature is rising already. Nobody cares. 10:36 hours: The clapping starts at the E-Ring. That is the outer most of the five rings of the Pentagon and it is closest to the entrance to the building. This clapping is low, sustained, hearty. It is applause with a deep emotion behind it as it moves forward in a wave down the length of the hallway. A steady rolling wave of sound it is, moving at the pace of the soldier in the wheelchair who marks the forward edge with his presence. He is the first. He is missing the greater part of one leg, and some of his wounds are still suppurating. By his age I expect that he is a private, or perhaps a private first class. Captains, majors, lieutenant colonels and colonels meet his gaze and nod as they applaud, soldier to soldier. Three years ago when I described one of these events, those lining the hallways were somewhat different. The applause a little wilder, perhaps in private guilt for not having shared in the burden. Yet. Now almost everyone lining the hallway is, like the man in the wheelchair, also a combat veteran. This steadies the applause, but I think deepens the sentiment. We have all been there now. The soldier's chair is pushed by, I believe, a full colonel. Behind him, and stretching the length from Rings E to A, come more of his peers, each private, corporal, or sergeant assisted as need be by a field grade officer. 11:00 hours: Twenty-four minutes of steady applause. My hands hurt, and I laugh to myself at how stupid that sounds in my own head. My hands hurt. Please! Shut up and clap. For twenty-four minutes, soldier after soldier has come down this hallway - 20, 25, 30. Fifty-three legs come with them, and perhaps only 52 hands or arms, but down this hall came 30 solid hearts. They pass down this corridor of officers and applause, and then meet for a private lunch, at which they are the guests of honor, hosted by the generals. Some are wheeled along. Some insist upon getting out of their chairs, to march as best they can with their chin held up, down this hallway, through this most unique audience. Some are catching handshakes and smiling like a politician at a Fourth of July parade. More than a couple of them seem amazed and are smiling shyly. There are families with them as well: the 18-year-old war-bride pushing her 19-year-old husband's wheelchair and not quite understanding why her husband is so affected by this, the boy she grew up with, now a man, who had never shed a tear is crying; the older immigrant Latino parents who have, perhaps more than their wounded mid-20s son, an appreciation for the emotion given on their son's behalf. No man in that hallway, walking or clapping, is ashamed by the silent tears on more than a few cheeks. An Airborne Ranger wipes his eyes only to better see. A couple of the officers in this crowd have themselves been a part of this parade in the past. These are our men, broken in body they may be, but they are our brothers, and we welcome them home. This parade has gone on, every single Friday, all year long, for more than four years. Did you know that? The media hasn't yet told the story. And probably never will. -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Tue May 19 15:43:20 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Tue, 19 May 2009 15:43:20 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Final Itinerary - Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Day Ceremony - May 25, 2009 Message-ID: <009901c9d8c2$734ed110$59ec7330$@net> Final Itinerary Bluebonnet Hills Memorial Day Ceremony Mission Date: May 25, 2009 Ride Captain: Randy "Coach" Roberts; (940) 390-6243(c); rkroberts127 at hotmail.com **************************************************************************** ** The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to participate in the Memorial Day Ceremony at Bluebonnet Hills Veterans Memorial. They are expecting between 800 and 1000 visitors for this ceremony. **************************************************************************** ** Staging: 9:00 AM; Briefing - 9:30 AM We will stage at Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home at the corner of Colleyville Blvd. (Hwy 26) and Hall Johnson. Bluebonnet Hills Funeral Home 5725 Colleyville Boulevard Colleyville, Texas 76034 817-498-5894 Map - http://tinyurl.com/qvefzx **************************************************************************** ** I would like to have as many big flag bikes as possible. As our part of the ceremony they would like us to ride through the cemetery as a show respect for all the veterans from all branches of service. There will be no flag or water truck for this mission. Please make proper arrangements for hydration. **************************************************************************** ** Weather: Forecast is for a high of 86 with a 20 % chance of afternoon thunder showers. With the warmer weather beginning please remember to properly hydrate starting the night before any outdoor activity. Do not hesitate to take a break at any time if you feel you need to get in the shade or get indoors. **************************************************************************** ** Respectfully Submitted, Randy "Coach" Roberts North Texas Senior Ride Captain -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Wed May 20 22:19:45 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Wed, 20 May 2009 22:19:45 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Final Itinerary - Hearthstone Living Center - May 23, 2009 Message-ID: <006701c9d9c2$fd864dd0$f892e970$@net> FINAL ITINERARY Hearthstone Assisted Living Center Saturday, May 23rd 2:00 PM Come help the North Texas PGR give our seniors a kick off a great Memorial Day weekend. The PGR has been invited to the Hearthstone Assisted Living Center to help residents there celebrate Memorial Day. This will be approximately a one-hour visit with the residents, including photo ops of the residents on the bikes if they desire. Punch and ice cream will be served. Were hoping the veterans there will want to chat with us about their military service. Staging: We will stage starting around 1:15 at what once was a nursery located at 2680 MacArthur, Lewisville TX http://tiny.cc/uXvsN. This is on the southwest corner of MacArthur and Vista Ridge Dr. Briefing will be at 1:45. Hearthstone is about mile away, so KSU will be at 1:55. Were hoping a lot of big flag bikes will be there so we can give the residents a real show. Weather: Current forecast calls a very slight chance of rain. Of course, being Texas, this is subject to change daily. Dress accordingly. There will be no flag/water truck at this visit, so its bring your own. Hydrate well the night before. Iron Horses if you can, cages are always welcome and appreciated. Respectfully submitted, Lisa Gran Wallace NTX Ride Captain lisa.wallace at tx.rr.com 214.226.7504 cell 214-688-4924 - work -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Wed May 20 22:55:21 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Wed, 20 May 2009 22:55:21 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Confirmed Mission - May 23, 2009 - Larry Wayne McMahan Message-ID: <008801c9d9c7$f6b2ebd0$e418c370$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, The family of Larry Wayne McMahan (including his nephew, our own PGR member Sam McMahan) have asked that the North Texas Patriot Guard be present at the final services for this Navy veteran. At present all we know is that the service will be a graveside service only, with a possible escort of about 10 miles from the funeral home to the cemetery. The funeral home is located in Kaufman and the cemetery in Scurry. The family meets with the funeral home tomorrow and is planning for a mid-morning service on Saturday. Details will come in the form of a final itinerary as soon as they are known. Let's stand tall and silent for this American Patriot. Thank you. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Thu May 21 03:00:04 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Thu, 21 May 2009 03:00:04 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard General Tommy Franks event in OK Message-ID: <00a601c9d9ea$269910f0$73cb32d0$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, A reminder of the event coming up in OK. In celebration of the grand opening of the Gen. Tommy Franks Leadership Institute and Museum, Gen. Tommy Franks will lead up to 1,000 bikers in the Rumble Motorcycle Parade through downtown Hobart to his recently renovated facilities. The bikers will participate in the Freedom Motorcycle Ride and Poker Run from Lawton to Hobart; one lucky biker will win a 2008 Harley-Davidson Sportster XL1200C. The motorcycle rally and the 2:30 p.m. Rumble Parade are scheduled on May 23 in conjunction with an entire day of events in Hobart's Memorial Day weekend "Celebration of Freedom." Also scheduled is the 1 p.m. "Celebration of Freedom Parade" with an anticipated 50 entries. Registration for the Freedom Motorcycle Ride begins at 9 a.m. at Pro-Team Harley Davidson, 301 S.E. Interstate Drive in Lawton (no pre-registration required). The $30 fee includes one Poker Run entry and one chance for the Sportster drawing. Prizes will also be awarded for the top and low poker hands ($300, top; $100, low); other prizes include a leather jacket signed by Willie G. Davidson, Harley-Davidson's founder. Bikers must participate in the Freedom Ride and Poker Run to qualify for the drawing and must be present to win. Gen. Franks recommends attaching an American flag to the motorcycles. The last bike leaves Lawton by 10:15 a.m. Riders pick up cards at designated stops--through Medicine Park, the Wichita Mountains, Saddle Mountain, Roosevelt, Blair, Quartz Mountain Lodge--and ends at the Hobart Regional Airport, southeast of Hobart on U.S. 183. The last bike must arrive by 2 p.m. After the awarding of prizes, bikers may visit the museum, take photographs with Gen. Franks and stay for the evening concert. For places to eat and spend the night in Hobart or for more information, call 580-726-5900 or check http://www.celebrationoffreedom.net. Accommodations will be available for bikers to camp out. For questions on the poker run, e-mail retired Army Col. Michael Hayes, member of the museum's board of directors, at mth at tommyfranks.com. "I think everybody will love the route through the Wichita Mountains and the wheat fields, which reflect this part of the country; it's a good ride," Col. Hayes said. Celebration of Freedom Parade participants will convene at 12:15 p.m. at the former Eugene Fields School on S. Main in Hobart. At 1 p.m., the parade will travel north on Main Street past the Gen. Tommy Franks Museum, where each entry will be announced, then to 3rd & Main Street, east to Jefferson Street and south to 6th & Jefferson. To enter the parade, call Sylvia Quintero at 580-752-5636, Connie Preston at 580-752-4005 or Marilyn Thrift at 580-726-3242. "We anticipate around 50 entries-local floats, military floats, Girl Scouts, Boy Scouts, in addition to many antique cars; and we've asked them all to use a military theme," said Quintero, Freedom Parade chairman. The event-filled day also includes an airport fly-in and pancake breakfast, a carnival, Arts on the Square art show, softball tournament, quilt show and fishing tournament. Topping off the day will be a concert by Country Music Star Neal McCoy, three-time platinum recording artist, performing live on a mega stage with Wayne Newton and other entertainers and speakers. To show appreciation to the nation's heroes, Hobart will offer free concert tickets-with identification--to active duty military and dependants, National Guard, Reserve and all who have ever served in the military. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Fri May 22 00:06:09 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Fri, 22 May 2009 00:06:09 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Final Itinerary - Leonard Hardeman - May 29, 2009 Message-ID: <005401c9da9b$05061300$0f123900$@net> FINAL ITINERARY Mr. Leonard Hardeman United States Army, Korea Mission Date; May 29, 2009 Ride Captain: Steve "Ghost" Hirtzel, 817-371-8498(c); steve.e.hirtzel at lmco.com Mr. Hardeman served in the United States Army in the 101st Division. Mr. Hardeman lost his fight with cancer at the age of 71 years old. He and Mrs. Hardeman were happily married for 25 years. The family and friends will have a private gathering the following day in honor of this American Hero. Interment Service: Friday, May 29, 2009 - 11:00 AM Staging: 10:00 AM, Briefing at 10:15 AM DFW National Cemetery 2000 Mountain Creek Parkway Dallas, TX 75211 214-467-3374 Map - http://tinyurl.com/6xvnw7 On arrival at the cemetery, please proceed to the shelter staging area. A short briefing will be provided, and at 10:30 big flag bikes will relocate to the visitor's center to escort the family. Remaining bikes and cages will proceed to the shelter to assist with preparations for the service. Shelter location will be provided at the briefing. We will use the flags in storage at the shelter. Weather: Mostly Sunny 87 degrees. The flag/water truck will not be required for this mission. Safety First: Iron horses if you can, cages are always welcome and appreciated. Please remember that our mission is to stand tall, silent, and with honor and respect for this veteran and his family. Respectfully Submitted, Steve "Ghost" Hirtzel North Texas Ride Captain -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Fri May 22 12:24:08 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Fri, 22 May 2009 12:24:08 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Final Itinerary - Short Notice - Larry Wayne McMahan - May 23, 2009 Message-ID: <004201c9db02$1d9b62f0$58d228d0$@net> FINAL ITINERARY Larry Wayne McMahan; Seaman First Class United States Navy Mission Date; May 23, 2009 Ride Captain: Dewey "Diehard" Dyer; (214) 316-8730 (c); dgd4758 at sbcglobal.net Mr. McMahan, in addition to being a veteran of the United States Navy is the Uncle of our own PGR rider Sam McMahan. During his tour of duty Mr. McMahan served aboard the Aircraft Carrier USS Philippine Sea. Mr. Jordan is survived by his wife of 51 years Juanita McMahan of Scurry, TX as well as siblings, children, grandchildren, great grandchildren and many nieces, nephews and other family members. Part 1 - Escort and Graveside Service: Saturday, May 23, 2009 - 10:00 AM; Mount Olive Cemetery, Scurry, TX Staging - 9:00 AM; Briefing - 9:10 AM; KSU - 9:40 AM Parker Ashworth Funeral Home 2217 South Washington Kaufman, TX 75142 972-932-8152 (Note: Neither the map on Google Maps or on Mapquest is exact but Mapquest is closest. The funeral home is 2 blocks south of Hwy 175 on Hwy 34 on the East side of the road.) Map - http://tinyurl.com/oxfkk9 There will be no separate funeral service for Mr. McMahan. His only formal service will be at the graveside. We will stage at the funeral home and participate in a procession from there to the cemetery, a distance of approximately 7 miles. We will stand a flag line at that time for the service. Our destination is: Mount Olive Cemetery 8352 FM 148 Scurry, TX Map - http://tinyurl.com/rckslc Weather: Forecast is for a 40% chance of scattered thunderstorms with a high of 80 degrees. Please keep an eye on the weather and dress accordingly. Please remember that our mission is to stand tall, silent, and with honor and respect for this American patriot. We anticipate having adequate time to be able to comfortably attend the mission in Lewisville following the conclusion of this mission. Iron Horses if you can; cages are always welcome and appreciated. The flag/water truck will be present. Respectfully Submitted, Dewey Dyer North Texas Ride Captain -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Fri May 22 12:34:56 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Fri, 22 May 2009 12:34:56 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Correction in Final Itinerary for Mr. McMahan Message-ID: <006401c9db03$a13dda60$e3b98f20$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, Please forgive the error in the 2nd paragraph of the final itinerary for Mr. McMahan. Where a Mr. "Jordan" is referenced, that should obviously be Mr. McMahan. That error is mine and not that of the Ride Captain and I apologize for the confusion. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Fri May 22 16:39:04 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Fri, 22 May 2009 16:39:04 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Final Itinerary - Broadway Plaza at Westover Hills - May 24, 2009 Message-ID: <00b201c9db25$bac7a9d0$3056fd70$@net> Circle Logo FINAL ITINERARY Circle Logo Memorial Day Event Broadway Plaza at Westover Hills Mission Date; May 24, 2009 Ride Captain: Steve "Badger" Lucas; (940) 206-4196 (c); pgrlucas at charter.net The North Texas PGR has been invited to come to the Broadway Plaza at Westover Hills retirement community on Sunday, May 24, 2009 between 2:00 and 4:00 PM to visit with the veterans and other residents there and participate in their Memorial Day celebration. We will stage off site and ride in as a group with flags flying while the residents are outside to welcome us. We will participate in a flag raising, visit with the veterans, including both male and female veterans, including an Iwo Jima veteran who is unable to travel to the Iwo Jima reunions held in Wichita Falls each year. At 3:00 PM a USO show will be held and we have all been invited to attend the show. Refreshments will be served throughout and the entire event will be over by 4:00 PM. This is a 90 bed retirement facility with a 17 bed Alzheimer's unit. This will be our second event this year where we will help bring Memorial Day to veterans and others who cannot otherwise get out to other Memorial Day events. Part 1 - Memorial Day Event: Sunday, May 24, 2009 - 2:00 PM; Broadway Plaza at Westover Hills, Fort Worth, TX Staging - 1:00 PM; Briefing - 1:15 PM Holy Family Catholic Church **Lower Parking Lot** 6150 Pershing Fort Worth, TX 76107 817-737-6768 Map - http://tinyurl.com/o6nux5 We will stage in the lower parking lot of the church, located at the corner of Pershing and Westridge. This is only a few blocks from Broadway Plaza at Westover Hills. We need as many flag bikes as possible for this mission as we try to enhance the patriotic spirit of all during this Memorial Day weekend. We will visit with the residents and speak with the veterans and others about their experiences and we are then invited to attend the USO show. Weather: Forecast is for a 30% chance of isolated thunderstorms and a high of 81 degrees. With warmer weather beginning, please remember to properly hydrate (including the night before) before any outdoor activity and to dress appropriately. Do not hesitate to take a break at any time if you feel you need to get in the shade or get indoors and always ask for help at any time. Also, please don't forget your sun screen. The flag/water truck will not be present during this mission. Respectfully Submitted, Steve "Badger" Lucas North Texas Deputy State Captain -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: application/octet-stream Size: 22030 bytes Desc: not available URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: not available Type: application/octet-stream Size: 22447 bytes Desc: not available URL: From mission at txpgr.org Sat May 23 01:28:23 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Sat, 23 May 2009 01:28:23 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Itinerary for Burkburnett Mission Message-ID: <00f501c9db6f$ac274f80$0475ee80$@net> FINAL ITINERARY Mr. Victor George Neal Senior Master Sergeant United States Air Force, Retired Mission Date; May 24, 2009 Ride Captain: Cecil Yoder, 940-733-5710, c-b-y at sbcglobal.net Mr. Neal entered the Air Force toward the end of WW II and honorably served 26 years until his retirement on August 1, 1971 at the rank of Senior Master Sergeant. The family requests the presence of the PGR to show honor and respect for this Honorable Veteran. Funeral Service: Sunday, May 24, 2009 at 1400 hrs. (2:00 p.m.) at First United Methodist Church (301 E. 4th St ) in Burkburnett, Tx Interment Service: Burkburnett Cemetery, immediately following the service. Staging: 1:00 p.m. We will stage on E. 3rd St, west of I-44. Just exit I-44 at the E. 3rd St. exit and go west a block or so till ya see me. We'll go KSU from there at 1:15 p.m. and proceed to the church to have a flag line in place at 1:30. Map - http://maps.yahoo.com/#mvt=m &lat=34.100748&lon=-98.559882&zoom=16&q1=301%2520E.%25204th%2520St%252C%2520 Burkburnett%252C%2520Tx&gid1=18916997 When the service begins, riders will stow flags and proceed to the Burkburnett cemetery and post a flag line for the Interment. Big flag bikes will remain at the church and escort the procession to the cemetery. Weather: Mostly cloudy in the morning. Isolated thunderstorms may develop later in the day. High near 80F. Winds NE at 10 to 15 mph. Chance of rain 30%. As always, be flexible, prepare for anything. Safety First: Iron horses if you can, cages are always welcome and appreciated. Please remember that our mission is to stand tall, silent, and with honor and respect for this veteran and his family. Respectfully Submitted, Cecil Yoder North Texas Ride Captain -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Sat May 23 16:49:37 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Sat, 23 May 2009 16:49:37 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Final Itinerary - Escort for 2-149th Army National Guard - TOMORROW! Message-ID: <003e01c9dbf0$5e8617d0$1b924770$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, A day many folks have been looking forward to has, at long last, arrived. Elements of the 2-149th are at Fort Sill, have been processed, and are ready to come home! Troop movements on the way back home are kept largely secret and we only found out about the possibility of an escort last night. My most heartfelt thanks go out to North Texas Senior Ride Captain Randy Roberts for grabbing this bull by the horns and making the necessary contacts to put this mission together in record breaking time - by anybody's standards. If you heard a boom or felt the earth rumble, that was Randy moving past the speed of sound making things happen. Randy is a real patriot of the highest order. The itinerary is below. With the wind at our backs we should have time to complete this mission and be on time for the mission at Broadway Plaza tomorrow afternoon so please do your best to come along. I think you'll be very glad you did. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR FINAL ITINERARY Short Notice Escort 2-149th Texas National Guard Mission Date; May 24, 2009 Ride Captain: Randy "Coach" Roberts, 940-390-6243; rkroberts127 at hotmail.com The 2-149th Texas National Guard unit is coming home to Grand Prairie. Captain Stillinger has asked the Patriot Guard Riders to help bring these soldiers home. Four busses will depart Ft. Sill at 0900 on Sunday. We will meet the busses at Alvord and escort to Grand Prairie. Part 1 - 2-149th Texas National Guard Escort: Sunday, May 24, 2009 - 11:00 AM; Alvord, TX to Grand Prairie, TX Staging - 1030 AM; Briefing - 1045; KSU - 1100 We will stage at the Derrick Truck Stop in Alvord Texas. The truck stop is located 8.7 miles north of Decatur on 287 on the west side of the road. It has a large yellow derrick. Going north bound it is just before the business 287 exit for Alvord. Food and fuel will be available at the staging point. Map: - http://tinyurl.com/pqxb33 Weather: High of 80 with a 50 % chance of afternoon thunderstorms. There will be no flag/water truck for this mission. With warmer weather beginning, please remember to properly hydrate (including the night before) before any outdoor activity and to dress appropriately. Do not hesitate to take a break at any time if you feel you need to get in the shade or get indoors and always ask for help at any time. Also, please don't forget your sun screen. All groups are welcome, iron horses if you can. Cages are always welcome and appreciated. I know this is very short notice but let's shows these soldiers a big Texas welcome home. It has been a long deployment for the 2- 149th lets put a smile on their face as they head home to friends and family. Respectfully Submitted, Randy "Coach" Roberts Senior Ride Captain North Texas -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Sat May 23 19:18:09 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Sat, 23 May 2009 19:18:09 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Arizona PGR Riders Down in Dallas Message-ID: <007f01c9dc05$1e99e880$5bcdb980$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, I have just learned that 2 Arizona Patriot Guard riders have had an accident and are hospitalized in Parkland Hospital in Dallas. Mark and Gwen Meyers had plugged a flat tire and continued on their way when that tire blew and they went down yesterday at about 1:00 PM. We don't know exactly where this occurred but they are at Parkland in stable condition. Mr. Meyers broke ribs, which punctured and collapsed a lung. Ms. Meyers was injured more seriously, suffering a broken collarbone, broken wrist, broken tibia and other broken bones and has already had one surgery with more anticipated. Their son is with them at the hospital. Mr. Meyers is expected to be released from the hospital in 2-3 days but Ms. Meyers will be in the hospital longer. Their son, John, said that visitors would certainly be welcome from fellow PGR members. Mr. Meyers is in room 516 - bed 2 and Ms. Meyers is in room 515 - bed 1. I think we all know that a brief visit from a friendly face while so far away from home over a holiday weekend might mean a lot to these folks. I don't know that visiting in really large groups would be called for but letting them know that their PGR brothers and sisters here in North Texas are here for them and care enough to drop by for a few minutes might sure go a long way toward speeding their recovery. Let's extend our hand and see if we can put a little better ending on their trip than they have right now. Besides, it's the Texas thing to do. Thank you all. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Mon May 25 23:32:49 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Mon, 25 May 2009 23:32:49 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard A Thank You from Burkburnett Message-ID: <008601c9ddbb$068879c0$13996d40$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, We just received this message via Ride Captain Mike Johnson regarding the mission in Burkburnett. Mr. Victor George Neal Senior Master Sergeant United States Air Force, Retired Mission Date; May 24, 2009 ----- Forwarded Message ---- Sent: Monday, May 25, 2009 8:20:31 PM Subject: Thank you >From the family of Victor Neal, we deeply thank all those who participated in the mission in Burkburnett. My wife and I have stood in flag lines, but now we understand the graditude from the family's perspective. I was even asked about the PGR from an officer who also is a veteran. I explained our mission; he was very impressed. Once again, thank you and God bless all of you. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Tue May 26 00:11:00 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 00:11:00 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard A Gary Maddux Story Message-ID: <00a301c9ddc0$5c407fc0$14c17f40$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, As it is Memorial Day I thought it was fitting that I share with you a story that a few are familiar with and some are not and it has to do with our friend and late PGR brother and Veteran Gary Maddux. Almost immediately after Gary's accident that night a lady, a fellow motorist, stopped at the scene. She didn't witness the collision itself but was there very, very soon after. She went over to Gary to see if she could help him but found that there was nothing she could do. She stayed at the scene and did her best and did everything a responsible citizen should do in such a circumstance. But she didn't stop there. She wanted to keep up with what happened to the person she later found out was Gary and wanted to make sure that he wasn't alone in this world and that he would be properly cared for. She was relieved when she found out that he did have a loving and caring family and she also learned about the PGR. She contacted us shortly after the accident via one of our riders and we let Rita know about her, etc. Her name is Sara. As it happens, Sara was planning a trip in the not too distant future to Washington, D.C. and was, as a part of that trip, going to see the Wall. She asked if it was OK if she did a little something for Gary at the wall and found that it was, indeed, OK. She has completed that trip, just very recently returning, and she sent a photo of what she did for Gary. The photo first, of course, went to Gary's family and I asked Sara's permission if I could tell a little of her story and share the photo with the North Texas riders and she has given her permission. That photo is attached to this message. So as we remember during this Memorial Day weekend, here is a great remembrance of Gary. It was done by a stranger. Someone who had never seen him before that tragic night. Sara doesn't ride a motorcycle, she's not in the PGR, doesn't know the family, or any of that. She's just a very nice, kind and first class individual who was concerned for her fellow man when she saw him in distress and cared enough in her heart to want to make sure he was properly cared for. I have thanked Sara repeatedly for all of us and she is a very humble lady. I have told her how proud we all are of her. I am confident that this brief story of her truly selfless acts will inspire you as it does me. It's a story I thought you'd all like to know. Thanks for your time. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: -------------- next part -------------- A non-text attachment was scrubbed... Name: DC pictures 211.jpg Type: image/jpeg Size: 1138622 bytes Desc: not available URL: From mission at txpgr.org Tue May 26 00:27:13 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 00:27:13 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Confirmed Mission - Saturday, May 30, 2009 - Remainder of 2-149th Coming Home Message-ID: <00b801c9ddc2$a01340a0$e039c1e0$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, For those of you who were not able to join in on the escort bringing in the busses carrying elements of the 2-149th this past weekend (and missing that lovely monsoon we rode through) you have a second chance! The rest of the unit is coming in this Saturday, May 30, 2009! We have been asked once again by the Unit Commander to bring the rest of the unit back to Texas soil and all the way home. Last Saturday as the first busses were approaching Alvord, the second flight was just entering US airspace. They are now at Fort Sill and beginning their processing to come home. Captain Stillinger was able to give us more notice this time since the entire unit is now in the US and the security of the troop movement is less critical. As far as we know at this time, the time frame for their arrival in Alvord will be the same as last week but we will be able to confirm that as time grows nearer. I know that Randy will cover this in his mission report, but we weren't sure if the soldiers were going to get off of the busses when they stopped to pick us up or if they would only stop long enough for us to mount up and get on the road in Alvord. Well, the soldiers came off of the busses and touched Texas soil for the first time since leaving the armory on the way to Iraq and we were there to welcome them to Texas. Handshakes and hugs, and lots of smiles - and some tears - were exchanged and it was really special. I don't know if they'll get off of the bus or not this time, but it sure is worth the trip to go and get them and bring them home, in my opinion. A final itinerary will be forthcoming as soon as all the details are finalized and with a little time to plan we're hoping to set up a couple of surprises for them to see along the way. The troops sure are glad to see friendly faces from back home so try and put this on your calendar if you can. Thank you all for everything you do. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Tue May 26 00:33:44 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 00:33:44 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Camp Holloway Vietnam Wall Dedication Information - May 30, 2009 Message-ID: <00c601c9ddc3$894bfeb0$9be3fc10$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, The mission for the dedication of the new Vietnam Wall at Camp Holloway is being run by Kelly Evinger from Abilene. Those who were there for the placing of the Huey Helicopter and the dedication of the wall with the camp names on it know what a wonderful place it is and how much work is going into making it a first class location and attraction. Information on this weekend's event from Kelly is below. Anyone available to attend is most certainly encouraged to do so. I know you'll be glad you did. Thank you everyone. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR The dedication of the new wall at the Vietnam Memorial Park in Mineral Wells will take place on Saturday May 30, 2009. The PGR is to arrive at the front entrance to the park promptly at 10:30. We will follow the road past the tent to the large oak tree West of the tent where reserved parking will be set-up. Flag and/or support vehicles need to be parked at the tree and ready to distribute flags prior to the arrival of the bikes. On arrival, riders should dismount quickly and, with a flag, move to set a flag line between the road and the tent. There will be a parachute drop promptly at 10:45 and all needs to be in place by that time. Abilene riders need to meet at the 7-11 on Hwy 351 across from the new Walmart at 6:30am. KSU will be at 7:00am promptly so come gassed and ready to ride. Some members of the local HOG chapter will ride with us. We will meet with the PGR group from the Breckenridge/Eastland/Ranger area at the L&L restaurant in Breckenridge for a quick breakfast, departing no later than 9:00am. Staging in Mineral Wells, for all groups, will be at the Walmart on the East side of town at 10am. There will be a police escort from Walmart to the Park. Those of you who were there for the raising of the Huey will remember we staged at the discount mall which is not available for this event, leaving the Walmart as the best available option. Those that were at the raising of the Huey will tell you that it was a special event. There was even another Huey that flew in and those that served in Vietnam were allowed to write their name, date of service, etc in the Huey. The dedication of the new wall promises to be as special and it is an honor for us to be invited to participate. Dudley Kidwell kidwelld at nts-online.net (325)668-8421 Kelly Evinger milcwboy at suddenlink.net (325)864-1638 -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Tue May 26 12:04:39 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 12:04:39 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Rider Down Message-ID: <003c01c9de24$0e21e0e0$2a65a2a0$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, I just saw an e-mail on the national PGR web site that affects us all in North Texas concerning fellow North Texas rider and national PGR Board of Directors member Tom Hoffman. The e-mail is from another of our own, Rick Crabb. After reading the e-mail, which I have included below, I know you will all want to join me in wishing Tom a speedy and complete recovery and to say an extra prayer for him. I just got off the phone with Tom "Taz" Hoffman, Secretary of the Board of Directors of the Patriot Guard Riders. While camping in the Austin, TX area last night (May 23), he had the elephant come sit on his chest and he WISELY had his wife call 911. Sure enough, he had a heart attack and he is now doing fine, but a resident of South Austin Hospital's ICU and will probably be there another couple of days. I got his permission to post this, with a request for prayers for a quick recovery. Standing Tall and Silent, Rick Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Tue May 26 17:21:01 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Tue, 26 May 2009 17:21:01 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard From Sparky Cox Message-ID: <008201c9de50$4078d360$c16a7a20$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, We just received this e-mail from Sparky Cox, Ride Captain in Sherman, regarding a PGR member in the SE Oklahoma area who also helped in the North Texas area. Bill helped the Oklahoma Red Cross Motorcycle Fatality Program from its beginning. He has volunteered and helped out on many missions and benefits including the North Texas Area. He will be missed. Sparky Cox North Texas Ride Captain Patriot Guard Riders. The Patriot Guard has been asked to stand for one of our own. Bill Christison a Vietnam Veteran and fellow PGR member has passed away. Bill has rode with us in the SE OK area for quite some time. He was one of our support vehicles carrying water, flags and what ever was needed. Bill will deeply missed More details will come as we get them. David Engelhardt Ride Captain SE OK PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Wed May 27 13:10:21 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 13:10:21 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard HOTH event request Message-ID: <006401c9def6$66767490$33635db0$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, HOTH Coordinator Debbie Horton has asked that the message below be sent to everyone. Anyone who is able to make the event can call Ms. Carroll directly for additional information. Debbie also wanted me to point out the part about the free food! Thanks everyone. From: Jennifer Salos Hello- I became familliar with your organization when my best friends son was deployed to Iraq a few years ago. Your group came out and visited with us at his going away dinner. They presented him with coins and the mother and father with angel pins. It was a great pleasure to meet all of them and have them support this soldier on his way to Iraq. I am now in the position to request their presence as well. My step son Pvt Taylor Carroll with the US Army is home for two weeks and then on his way to Afghanistan to fight for the Freedon of our Great Country. We are having a going away party for him on June 6th in Granbury Texas. I was wondering if it might be possible for some of your Riders to come out and visit with him at this celebration? I would be happy to feed all of them and include them in the events of the party. I remember being told that most of the riders find this type of event very enjoyable as they are mostly asked to come to funerals of our fallen soldiers. Please let me know what needs to be done to make this happen. I can be reached at 214-725-0152 and my name is Jennifer Carroll. Thank you and God Bless the USA! Jennifer Carroll Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Wed May 27 13:18:22 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Wed, 27 May 2009 13:18:22 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard American Legion/DAV Request Message-ID: <007201c9def7$85541ba0$8ffc52e0$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, We have received a call from Mr. Terry Bigley, the District Commander of District 12 of the American Legion, who is also a member of the DAV. They are conducting a funeral tomorrow for a DAV member who was a WWII veteran and they are in need of 4 pall bearers. They have come to us for help. The funeral is at Laurel Land in Fort Worth at 3:00 PM tomorrow, Thursday, May 28, 2009. If anyone is available to help out with this honorable duty please contact Mr. Bigley directly at 817-522-2385. Thanks for all you continue to do to honor those who have stood for us. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Thu May 28 00:36:31 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Thu, 28 May 2009 00:36:31 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Final Itinerary - SFC Bill Christison - May 30, 2009 Message-ID: <013601c9df56$41a84ca0$c4f8e5e0$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, Below is the final itinerary for the Oklahoma mission for Bill Christison. Many may not be aware of how closely our folks in Sherman and Gainesville work with the S.E. Oklahoma PGR. The border is crossed many times, as if it doesn't exist, all for the good of our heroes and their families and to complete our common mission. The PGR knows no borders and this geographic area is a perfect example of this. Bill Christison was an integral part of the mission in Oklahoma and was also one who never failed to cross the border into Texas to attend and assist with missions on this side of the river. He is missed by those who had the privilege of knowing him. His service is a PGR service. I am told that the service will be conducted by a PGR chaplain, that the pall bearers will be PGR riders and that the PGR will be integrated into all parts of the services. Great thanks to Ride Captain Sparky Cox for letting us know about Bill's passing and for taking the reins and leading the Texas contingent to the services. Our deepest condolences go to his family and friends. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR Final Itinerary SFC William V. (Bill) Christison Vietnam Veteran U.S. Army Patriot Guard Rider Saturday May 30, 2009 We have been asked to stand for a fellow PGR member: SFC. William V.(Bill) Christison U.S.Army Ret. (20 yrs. 9 Months) Vietnam Vet. 2 tours Served with the 101 !st. Airborne also recruiter 12yrs. 7 months (100% Disabled from Agent Orange) Funeral service: 10:00am. Oakland Cemetery Graveside only. Staging: Watts Funeral Home parking lot. 08:30 AM(Located on Highway 70 center of Madill Okla) Briefing: 08:45 AM Will escort body and family from funeral home to cemetery at approx. 09:30 AM. Weather: Sunny Temp. 89 Wind South 10-15mph probably be humid so be hydrated. Will have flags and support vehicles Respectfully Submitted, James R. Abernathy SE OK PGR _____ Below is a link to the Funeral home. You can get directions to the funeral home but DO NOT FOLLOW the directions to the cemetery, they are wrong. The cemetery is located between Madill and Oakland, OK. I tried to get as close as possible with this link to the gravesite: http://www.mapquest.com/mq/8-hm*f5KZ0NpZt Watts Funeral Home Obituary and Itinerary for Bill Christison, please read the obituary: http://www.wattsfuneralhome.com/sitemaker/sites/wattsf0/obit.cgi?user=bill-c hristison I will be at the Dairy Queen on Hwy. 377 in Whitesboro, TX. around 8:30 am with KSU at 9:00 am to go directly to the cemetery for the flag line and services. Any and all that would like to ride to Madill with me are more than welcome. Bill was a very special member of the Patriot Guard Riders and helped out where and when he could. He always took an active role in every mission that he attended. Let me tell you, he attended many missions throughout the years. He was a founder of the "Red Cross" program in Oklahoma starting with Jamie Finch. My hat is off for SFC William V. (Bill) Christison. May God Bless You And Your Family. Sparky Cox North Texas Ride Captain Patriot Guard Riders -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Fri May 29 02:01:46 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Fri, 29 May 2009 02:01:46 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Update on escort of 2-149th to Grand Prairie Message-ID: <014701c9e02b$550b28a0$ff2179e0$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, As of midnight Thursday/Friday we still do not have a time of departure of the troops from Fort Sill heading for Grand Prairie. I received my most recent e-mail from Captain Stillinger at 9:10 PM and a time was still not available. I also received a copy of an e-mail he sent to the family members of the 2-149th in which he told them the same thing and apologized to them for not having any more definite information for them. We can only imagine how stressful this must be for them. Randy has a call in to the Captain and the Captain knows how anxious we are to get the information to you as soon as we can, but if it's not even available to the families yet, we must certainly be patient and wait our turn. The plan remains to meet them in Alvord like we did last week. We are told that there will be 3 busses, all going to Grand Prairie. Thank you very much for your patience and understanding and we are watching the events just as closely as we can. I can assure you that as soon as we know something, we will pass it along to you. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Fri May 29 14:44:26 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Fri, 29 May 2009 14:44:26 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Final Itinerary - SUPER Short Notice - Escort for the 2-149th Message-ID: <01d401c9e095$dff62810$9fe27830$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, The escort has been moved to TODAY!! We got the word late this morning and I sent a quick e-mail posting from DFW national cemetery at the mission there. The final itinerary is below. We will have 2 police vehicles (everyone please thank Deputy King when you see him) all the way from Alvord to the armory in Grand Prairie and please thank Randy for staying with this day and night. See you all in Alvord. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR FINAL ITINERARY Short Notice Escort 2-149th Texas National Guard Mission Date; May 29, 2009 Ride Captain: Randy "Coach" Roberts, 940-390-6243; rkroberts127 at hotmail.com The 2-149th Texas National Guard unit is coming home to Grand Prairie. Captain Stillinger has asked the Patriot Guard Riders to help bring these soldiers home. Three busses will depart Ft. Sill no later than 1800 TODAY, May 29, 2009. We will meet the busses at Alvord and escort to Grand Prairie. Part 1 - 2-149th Texas National Guard Escort: Friday, May 29, 2009 - 7:30 PM; Alvord, TX to Grand Prairie, TX Staging - 7:00 PM; Briefing - 7:15 PM We will stage at the Derrick Truck Stop in Alvord Texas. The truck stop is located 8.7 miles north of Decatur on 287 on the west side of the road. It has a large yellow derrick. Going north bound it is just before the business 287 exit for Alvord. Food and fuel will be available at the staging point. Map: - http://tinyurl.com/pqxb33 Weather: High of 88 degrees and dry. There will be no flag/water truck for this mission. With warmer weather beginning, please remember to properly hydrate (including the night before) before any outdoor activity and to dress appropriately. Do not hesitate to take a break at any time if you feel you need to get in the shade or get indoors and always ask for help at any time. Also, please don't forget your sun screen. All groups are welcome, iron horses if you can. Cages are always welcome and appreciated. I know this is very short notice but let's shows these soldiers a big Texas welcome home. It has been a long deployment for the 2- 149th lets put a smile on their face as they head home to friends and family. Respectfully Submitted, Randy "Coach" Roberts Senior Ride Captain North Texas -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Sat May 30 10:52:57 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Sat, 30 May 2009 10:52:57 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Message from PGR Board of Directors Message-ID: <004d01c9e13e$b3a00340$1ae009c0$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, The message below is from the National PGR Board of Directors and is talking about the National store and not our North Texas store. We have been asked to send this message out to all riders. Thanks Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR PGR STORE CLOSED FOR ONE WEEK The Patriot Guard Riders store will be shut down for approximately one week. There have been issues with back orders and other improvements that we believe need to be made within the store structure. Back ordered items will be shipped as soon as they are received, and we will do everything within our ability to prioritize those orders. If a member decides to cancel their order due to the delay, we will immediately refund their payment. We apologize to our members for these issues with the store and thank you for the patience you have shown so far. At this time we would like to assure you all that none of the issues we are addressing are related to payments, funds, or the trademark action. The store will reopen shortly with some changes in inventory and planned improvements in the quality of some items. Bill "Whirlwind" Richart President ~ Board of Directors Patriot Guard Riders -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Sun May 31 09:09:07 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Sun, 31 May 2009 09:09:07 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Honor Flight of Dallas - First Trip To Washington Message-ID: <001101c9e1f9$5ccee8e0$166cbaa0$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, Those who have been on the Honor Flight escorts to and from Waxahachie know what a great experience it is to escort those WWII veterans as they begin and end their trips to Washington, D.C. to see the WWII Memorial and other sights. There has now been established an Honor Flights of Dallas and we just received a message from them. They are making their very first trip to Washington. There is no escort to go along with this one, just seeing them off at DFW airport and welcoming them home again for any who can attend. Their message is below. It's very short notice, with little time to prepare, but we are going to get with them and hopefully become good friends and have a great relationship like we do with the folks in Ellis County so that we can help make their job easier and maybe make the experience a little happier for these veterans of The Greatest Generation. Below is the e-mail we received from them. If you're available, please come and see these veterans off and come back to welcome them home. It's an experience you won't soon forget. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR I know this is short notice but Honor Flight of Dallas is taking its first flight to Washington DC on Mon. June 1 and would like to request the Patriot Guard to see us off at DFW airport. We are taking 35 WWII vets to visit the WWII monument at no financial cost to them.... we also have 19 guardians helping them out for the trip that have paid their own way. Below is our flight information for departure and arrival back on June 2. Thank you in advance for your help and support. Rhonda Ensey Honor Flight of Dallas June 1, 2009, 5:00 am Meeting at Gate C6 outside security as a group..... Ch. 4 and 5 will film outside security because they can't run cable through security....... our flight American Airlines 1360 departs at 6:50 Arrival back at DFW on Tuesday June 2, 2009 American Airlines Flight 1105 @ 9:50 pm -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: From mission at txpgr.org Sun May 31 09:52:59 2009 From: mission at txpgr.org (Mission Information For North Texas PGR) Date: Sun, 31 May 2009 09:52:59 -0500 Subject: PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Bringing Home The Troops Message-ID: <001c01c9e1ff$7da623c0$78f26b40$@net> Ladies and Gentlemen, I don't think I have to tell those of us who have witnessed the sight of troops coming home from deployment the joy of seeing them reunited with their families. We had that opportunity recently with our two missions bringing home the 2-149th. It's very special being able to welcome the troops home ourselves, but seeing that first contact between the troops and their families after a deployment is really something. Some of you may have seen the music video "The Price of Peace." The song was written by a 12 year old girl from Illinois who is no stranger to deployments due to her dad being in the National Guard. She tells of deployments, spending time away from her dad and the coming home from her own perspective. The story of the video, as given on the web site, starts like this - Deployment ceremonies are never easy. Emotions can be overwhelming as families and friends gather together for their good-byes. Twelve-year-old Alyssa Gaddis and her 16-year-old sister Cassy Gaddis, of Springfield, IL, know this firsthand. They've been to many such events because their father, CW5 Jim Gaddis, is the command chief warrant officer of the Illinois Army National Guard. These experiences inspired Alyssa to write a song - a song to lift the spirits of those enduring deployment, a song to inspire courage and hope. Alyssa titled her song, "The Price of Peace." Given our recent experience it has been recommended that our riders might want to take a look at this video and that a tissue or two might be in order as well. While it was being made, the local PGR was even asked to be involved and you can see them briefly doing the same mission we had the honor to participate in - escorting the troops home. Here is the link to the video - http://www.nationalguard.com/priceofpeace/. There's also a "making of" video that is available at the end of the main video and you can also read the entire story. All the money from the video goes to the troops. He doesn't know it yet, but I'm going to ask Harold to put a link to the video on our web site for a while to make it easy to find.Hi, Harold!! Thanks, again to all of you for all you do. The world is a better place because you do what you do. Steve Lucas Deputy State Captain North Texas PGR -------------- next part -------------- An HTML attachment was scrubbed... URL: