<html xmlns:v="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:vml" xmlns:o="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:office" xmlns:w="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:word" xmlns:x="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:excel" xmlns:p="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:powerpoint" xmlns:a="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:access" xmlns:dt="uuid:C2F41010-65B3-11d1-A29F-00AA00C14882" xmlns:s="uuid:BDC6E3F0-6DA3-11d1-A2A3-00AA00C14882" xmlns:rs="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:rowset" xmlns:z="#RowsetSchema" xmlns:b="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:publisher" xmlns:ss="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:spreadsheet" xmlns:c="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:component:spreadsheet" xmlns:odc="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:odc" xmlns:oa="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:office:activation" xmlns:html="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40" xmlns:q="http://schemas.xmlsoap.org/soap/envelope/" xmlns:rtc="http://microsoft.com/officenet/conferencing" xmlns:D="DAV:" xmlns:Repl="http://schemas.microsoft.com/repl/" xmlns:mt="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/soap/meetings/" xmlns:x2="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/excel/2003/xml" xmlns:ppda="http://www.passport.com/NameSpace.xsd" xmlns:ois="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/soap/ois/" xmlns:dir="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/soap/directory/" xmlns:ds="http://www.w3.org/2000/09/xmldsig#" xmlns:dsp="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/dsp" xmlns:udc="http://schemas.microsoft.com/data/udc" xmlns:xsd="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema" xmlns:sub="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/soap/2002/1/alerts/" xmlns:ec="http://www.w3.org/2001/04/xmlenc#" xmlns:sp="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/" xmlns:sps="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/soap/" xmlns:xsi="http://www.w3.org/2001/XMLSchema-instance" xmlns:udcs="http://schemas.microsoft.com/data/udc/soap" xmlns:udcxf="http://schemas.microsoft.com/data/udc/xmlfile" xmlns:udcp2p="http://schemas.microsoft.com/data/udc/parttopart" xmlns:wf="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/soap/workflow/" xmlns:dsss="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2006/digsig-setup" xmlns:dssi="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2006/digsig" xmlns:mdssi="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/package/2006/digital-signature" xmlns:mver="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/markup-compatibility/2006" xmlns:m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/office/2004/12/omml" xmlns:mrels="http://schemas.openxmlformats.org/package/2006/relationships" xmlns:spwp="http://microsoft.com/sharepoint/webpartpages" xmlns:ex12t="http://schemas.microsoft.com/exchange/services/2006/types" xmlns:ex12m="http://schemas.microsoft.com/exchange/services/2006/messages" xmlns:pptsl="http://schemas.microsoft.com/sharepoint/soap/SlideLibrary/" xmlns:spsl="http://microsoft.com/webservices/SharePointPortalServer/PublishedLinksService" xmlns:Z="urn:schemas-microsoft-com:" xmlns:st="" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/TR/REC-html40">
<head>
<meta http-equiv=Content-Type content="text/html; charset=us-ascii">
<meta name=Generator content="Microsoft Word 12 (filtered medium)">
<style>
<!--
/* Font Definitions */
@font-face
{font-family:"Cambria Math";
panose-1:2 4 5 3 5 4 6 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:Calibri;
panose-1:2 15 5 2 2 2 4 3 2 4;}
@font-face
{font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
panose-1:3 15 7 2 3 3 2 2 2 4;}
/* Style Definitions */
p.MsoNormal, li.MsoNormal, div.MsoNormal
{margin:0in;
margin-bottom:.0001pt;
font-size:11.0pt;
font-family:"Calibri","sans-serif";}
a:link, span.MsoHyperlink
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:blue;
text-decoration:underline;}
a:visited, span.MsoHyperlinkFollowed
{mso-style-priority:99;
color:purple;
text-decoration:underline;}
span.EmailStyle17
{mso-style-type:personal-compose;
font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue;
font-weight:normal;
font-style:normal;
text-decoration:none none;}
.MsoChpDefault
{mso-style-type:export-only;}
@page Section1
{size:8.5in 11.0in;
margin:1.0in 1.0in 1.0in 1.0in;}
div.Section1
{page:Section1;}
-->
</style>
<!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapedefaults v:ext="edit" spidmax="1026" />
</xml><![endif]--><!--[if gte mso 9]><xml>
<o:shapelayout v:ext="edit">
<o:idmap v:ext="edit" data="1" />
</o:shapelayout></xml><![endif]-->
</head>
<body lang=EN-US link=blue vlink=purple>
<div class=Section1>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'><o:p></o:p></span></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Ladies and Gentlemen,<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Some Snowball Express nuts and bolts of how this whole thing
is going to operate.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Starting on airport arrival day, December 9, there will be
at least one Snowball Express event every day including airport departure day
on December 13. On some days, there will be many events for the attendees
to participate in. The Patriot Guard Riders will be escorting the
attendees (the kids and parent/guardian[s]) to and usually from many of these
events on a DAILY basis, including airport arrivals and departures. These
escorts will be leaving, as a general rule, from 10 hotels in the downtown
Dallas area, all at the same time. That means 10 separate missions, all
led by a Ride Captain, each one escorting anywhere between 2 and 15 busses,
going to a common destination. Law enforcement is scheduled to accompany
every mission. Law enforcement has briefed us that so far, they have no
intention of stopping traffic and running red lights for us. All traffic
rules will be obeyed. This is not a funeral, an emergency situation or
any other event that would require traffic to be interrupted. They will
block intersections as we turn into a venue, for example, but that’s
about it. This policy is always flexible and the officers have discretion
to do whatever is necessary to maintain order and the safety of the public, but
that is the word we have right now.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>In order to make sure we have this many venues covered
adequately with riders, there is no way to keep up with this than to have riders
either show up at a common location about 3 hours before the escorts begin and
assign them to the various venues, or have the riders sign up ahead of time for
where they would prefer to go. We thought that the way to give the riders
the most freedom was to let each rider choose. That being said, if we see
that 1 rider is signed up for one hotel and 15 are signed up for another hotel,
you will understand our need to shuffle some riders to even it out. We
should always remember that these trips are for the kids. The kids love
to see the bikes and we want to make a good showing every time the bikes are
scheduled somewhere to put as many smiles on as many faces as we can.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>If all goes according to plan, before the end of this
weekend the sign-up process can begin for at least the first two days of the
Snowball Express event. These days are the airport arrivals and the first
day’s excursion for the attendees. Notice of the sign-up process,
including a link to the form(s), will be sent in an e-mail like this one and
notice will also be on the North Texas PGR web site (<a
href="http://www.txpgr.org">www.txpgr.org</a>) with a link there to the form(s)
as well. The sign-up process is in the form of a very brief question and
answer survey. There are about 8 questions on each. Questions are
those like…your name, your e-mail address, which hotel do you want to go
to, are you available for the whole mission, etc. There is nothing
probing, personal or unrelated to the event. Some of the questions are
mandatory and if they are not answered, you will be prompted for an
answer. You <b><u>WILL</u></b> be able to go back in and change your
answers until sometime between 24-48 hours prior to the event. At that
time we will close the form and start analyzing the information so we can see
who is doing what. Please do everybody a favor. If, at that late
date, you have committed yourself to being someplace – be there. We
are counting on you and the kids are counting on you.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Let’s think a little about this task for just a
moment. We are leaving from 10 hotels. If we have 10 riders –
a nice number – at each hotel, each day, that’s 100 riders and 10
Ride Captains just to start with. That’s a pretty good number of
people and that’s just us.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>We will be escorting approximately 43 busses per movement,
containing (and we have various types and capacities of busses) in the
neighborhood of 1700 Snowball Express attendees and a number of volunteers on
top of that number. I would wager that none of us have ever moved that
many people at just about any escort we’ve done – and we’re
going to be moving that many people quite a few times.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>It’s a big, big job. We must all be very careful
and very attentive to what we are doing. It’s the kids who are
supposed to be having the fun; we must be there to work and be safe at all
times.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>The Ride Captains are in total control of the PGR people and
everyone riding with us at all times. Nobody should be going to Snowball
Express people except the Ride Captains. This is the first time that
Snowball Express has been in Dallas and they will be very busy. They are
expecting us to know what we’re doing. We do. When the Ride
Captain says to be on the bikes and ready to go in 5 minutes, the Ride Captain
does NOT mean 6 minutes. There is going to be a Snowball Express person
at the hotel who will know when all of the busses are loaded with all who are
going to go and that person will give the bus drivers, LEO and the Ride Captain
the sign to move out. At that time – it will do just that. If
you aren’t there it will go without you and if your bike is in the way it
may be a casualty. There are simply things we are not in charge of and
this event is bigger than us and is not FOR us. Show up ready, properly
dressed, bike gassed up, in the right place and with your head on
straight. If you are not, the Ride Captain has the authority to send you
packing. I know it may sound silly to say this, but anyone who, for any
reason, is not ready to go in the judgment of the Ride Captain will not be
allowed to go. Alcohol, drugs, prescription meds that cause a problem,
bike not safe, you name it – if the Ride Captain says you stay behind,
you stay behind. Anyone who does not obey the instructions of the Ride
Captain regarding ride safety, the way the ride will be conducted, etc., will
not be allowed to continue with Snowball Express. Nobody’s
going to look for any trouble, but we will maintain a tight ship during these
movements. It must be that way for the safety of everyone, not just the
riders. Deputy State Captain Mike Lambert, Assistant Deputy State Captain
Dewey Dyer and I will be moving as best we can between all locations to
help. We are there to help. We all want all of these missions to be
successful and we are dedicated to doing our best to see them be that
way. We will back up the Ride Captains in their decisions. We will
be in almost constant communication with them to keep them up to date on
changes of plans, etc.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>In a nutshell, here is what is planned for the days:<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>On December 9, we will be running escorts of about 4 busses
at a time from DFW airport to the various hotels. We will all stage in
one area with the busses. We get called up to the terminal and some of
the riders will move up with the busses. When those busses are loaded,
off we go. When the riders get to the first hotel, they will turn around
at that point and head back to the airport and return to the staging
area. While they are on their escort, more escorts will be moving up and
doing the same thing. Once we get them all to their hotels, we’re
done.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>On December 10, we are leaving from all of the 10 hotels (KSU
right now about 9:30AM) for Southfork Ranch. Once at Southfork we will
deposit the kids there and return to Southfork and take them to the Mesquite
Rodeo Arena where they will all be attending the Rodeo (KSU right now about
3:45PM). The riders MAY be able to attend the Rodeo also and eat some
free BBQ. Plans are not final on that yet. The Rodeo should be over
at about 8:00 – 8:30PM. We will NOT be escorting the attendees back
to the hotels.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>On December 11, we are leaving from all of the 10 hotels
(KSU right now about 9:30AM) for Dallas City Hall. We will have flag
lines there while speeches are being made, etc. This will be followed by
a “Walk of Gratitude” (foot parade) to the Dallas Convention Center
where a full day of activities, music, etc., is planned for the attendees.
We will provide a flag line for them to walk through and then bring up the rear
with the flags and go with them to the Convention Center. Once we get
them there, we are done for the day. We should be wrapped up before noon.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>On December 12, we are leaving from all 10 hotels to an as
yet undetermined location for the attendees to have a late breakfast. KSU
tentatively planned for about 10:00AM. After the late breakfast/brunch,
the busses will be reloaded and we will take them to a staging area to be
determined by the Dallas Police Department. Once there, a huge convoy
will be assembled and the entire mass will go in one big procession to Cowboys
Stadium. I don’t know how long a line 43 busses makes but
I’ll bet it’s a long one. When we get them to Cowboys Stadium
they will all go inside for a full day there. At a time and location at
the stadium yet to be determined, the motorcycles will line up to ride into the
stadium to ring the field prior to the Lt. Dan Band w/Gary Sinese
concert. We are shooting for 300-500 motorcycles. Kick stand pads
will be REQUIRED and they will be checked. The concert will last about 90
minutes. Food and beverage will NOT be provided for the riders but I
understand we can bring our own. Note – if you carry it in –
carry it out. Leave NOTHING behind. It is unlikely seating will be
provided for the riders since we are on the field so plan on sitting on the
turf or on your bikes. This is not definite, but that’s what
I’m recommending. At the end of the concert we will fire up the
bikes and ride out before the attendees leave their seats. Big flags are
encouraged. U.S. are recommended.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Once we get outside we will stage and escort the busses back
to the hotels. Approximately 300 of the attendees will get on busses to
go to American Airlines Center to attend a Mavericks game. We will escort
those busses (about 8 busses) over there as well.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>On December 13, we are escorting from the hotels back to DFW
airport. Some of these flights leave early and the plan is to leave the
hotel 3 hours prior to departure. So…if a flight departs at 8:00AM
(and there are 2), well, you do the math. We do runs back and forth to
the hotels until we’re done.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Are there more details? Yes. Many more.
You have many more questions in your mind right now, such as – where do
we stage at the airport, where do we park at the hotels, what routes are we
taking, are cagers going to be involved, what happens if it rains or snows, can
we have greeters at the hotels so people not in the escorts can participate,
what’s this I’ve heard about credentials and background checks,
what if there’s a terrorist attack, can we carry guns/knives,
bazookas/nunchucks/throwing stars, can I do donuts on the 50 yard line because I
don’t like Jerry Jones, what is the meaning of life, did Elvis really
start this way?<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>We’ll be answering most all of these questions and
more as the days go on. Most aren’t crucial for right this
minute. The list of the 10 hotels is already on the web site so you can
print that off and look them up. As far as staging areas – figure
that you’ll be staging at the hotel (except the airport). The exact
location at the hotel itself will be provided very soon. Figure on
bringing your own food and beverages (non-alcoholic) to everything unless you
hear differently. We know we’re doing flag lines at city hall so
the flag/water truck(s) will be there and the store will be at several of the
locations as well.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>There is one overriding theme for all of us when it comes to
Snowball Express. It’s very simple and can be on everyone’s
lips all that week and as we prepare for this…”It’s all about
the kids”. I have spent a pretty good bit of time with the board
members and organizers of Snowball Express and I can tell you for a fact that
these people are solid gold. There is not a one of these people who could
care less if they eat or sleep during this event or the time leading up to
it. They don’t care if they have to come out of their own pockets
for things or who they have to lean on to make sure these kids have a good
time. They have put this together from scratch. They are the real
deal. If we’re standing somewhere thirsty and hot…or
cold…I’ll point out to you where the CEO of Snowball Express is
right out there with us. We are working in this very closely with the
Snowball Express director of ground transportation. That just makes
sense. You are liable to see him running between busses or jumping in a
van at the last minute to get somebody someplace and I wouldn’t be at all
surprised to see him on the side of the road helping change a tire.
He’s a retired Major General. These are good folks. They are
in it for one thing. “It’s all about the kids”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>I think we can repeat that theme among ourselves and I think
we can repeat that theme among our non-PGR friends and affiliates who will be
participating with us. When we ask ourselves why we should get up in the
morning and go to Dallas, and ride in the Dallas traffic all over everywhere
when we don’t even get to go inside Southfork or something like that we
can just remember that simple theme – “It’s all about the
kids”. Don’t forget that at their young age, each and every
one of them has a mom or a dad who is not coming home again…ever.
And that mom or that dad died for you and me and every kid in America.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>So let’s all join in…”It’s all about
the kids”.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Thanks to you all for everything you continue to do.<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><o:p> </o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Steve Lucas<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>Chief Ride Captain<o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal>North Texas PGR <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class=MsoNormal><span style='font-size:12.0pt;font-family:"Comic Sans MS";
color:blue'><o:p> </o:p></span></p>
</div>
</body>
</html>