PGR Riders
#1
11-04-2011, 06:59 AM
PGR Riders
I found this on my PGR facebook page and thought you PGR Riders would enjoy reading how awesome it is to ride for something as important as the PGR, I do. This was copied from the Nevada PGR Web site.
santajim
Who are the Patriot Guard Riders?
There were zero PGR 5 year ago. As of now, there are over 190,000. This growth has not come easy, and it is not perfect. And in case anybody misunderstands, I thought I should make it clear who the PGR are to me.
The PGR is the Hell's Angel that has held a flag for three hours in honor of a fallen solider.
The PGR is the Christian Motorcyclist Association rider that is standing next to him.
The PGR is the elderly lady with a flag draped over her walker that is standing next to him.
The PGR is the biker that will ride over 300 miles, praying to God to give him strength, so he can make it in time to have the honor of standing the flag line for the wake of a hero…Alone.
The PGR is having 250 bikes show up the next day in a town of 3500 people: Some riding hundreds of miles, staring at 0400…In the rain.
The PGR will be humbled when the color guard comes out to shake his hand for standing there alone, and tell them with confidence there will be more tomorrow.
The PGR is spending hours in a flag line in 90 degree heat, only later to find out the son of the guy standing next to you had committed suicide 6 months after returning from Iraq.
The PGR are the couple that served lunch to 286 bikers, refusing all donations. They are the grandparents of the solider that killed himself.
The PGR is “freebird57” from IL who drives around in his van, loaded with 135 flags and coolers of water and supplies for those standing the line along with him.
The PGR is the Viet Nam vet that was spit on when he returned, or the lady next to him whose brother was in the Battle of Bulge. Or it is 12 year old Taylor Batten, who had her first heart surgery at the age of 6 months. Taylor has had many surgeries in her past and will have many more in her future, which may not be that long. She is now a PFC USMC, and an honorary MI PGR Ride Captain.
The PGR is not a service group, we are not lobbyists. There are many fine organizations that do this work, and we heartily encourage your support.
The PGR is the biker that will ride over 200 miles in rain so bad he can barely see, and rides only by the taillights of those ahead of him, because the protestors will be at the funeral of PO1 Jerry Tharp in Galesburg IL. And he will not only consider it a privilege to have protestors scream in his face, shielding them from the family, but will consider it one of the proudest days of his life. And there are 329 people standing next to him feeling exactly the same way.
The PGR is the rider who could not think of any place he would rather be at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, than to stand at the grave site of a friend’s father, on the anniversary of his passing. A father who earned the Silver Star in Korea for gallantry above and beyond the call of duty: A father whose family had no idea what he had done and the awards he had won, until they went through his belongings after his death.
If you do not fit in anywhere in the above, or you have another agenda, you might reconsider whether you are in the right place. However,if you are with us, it will be my honor to stand with you anytime, anywhere.
And when the organizers of a parade ask how many PGR will be there, I will tell them there might be 100, but I will only guarantee one.
And if there is an Honor Mission for a fallen hero that same day, I will not be there either.
Being a PGR is not fun. It may well be one of the hardest things you will ever do.
You may have the mother of a fallen solider cry on your shoulder, thanking you for being there.
You may have a Marine, who has escorted his buddy from Afghanistan, stand at attention and salute you, with tears streaming down his f ace.
Being a PGR may not be fun, but you will never stand with better people. It may be one of the most rewarding things you will ever do, and without a doubt, it will change your life forever.
santajim
Who are the Patriot Guard Riders?
There were zero PGR 5 year ago. As of now, there are over 190,000. This growth has not come easy, and it is not perfect. And in case anybody misunderstands, I thought I should make it clear who the PGR are to me.
The PGR is the Hell's Angel that has held a flag for three hours in honor of a fallen solider.
The PGR is the Christian Motorcyclist Association rider that is standing next to him.
The PGR is the elderly lady with a flag draped over her walker that is standing next to him.
The PGR is the biker that will ride over 300 miles, praying to God to give him strength, so he can make it in time to have the honor of standing the flag line for the wake of a hero…Alone.
The PGR is having 250 bikes show up the next day in a town of 3500 people: Some riding hundreds of miles, staring at 0400…In the rain.
The PGR will be humbled when the color guard comes out to shake his hand for standing there alone, and tell them with confidence there will be more tomorrow.
The PGR is spending hours in a flag line in 90 degree heat, only later to find out the son of the guy standing next to you had committed suicide 6 months after returning from Iraq.
The PGR are the couple that served lunch to 286 bikers, refusing all donations. They are the grandparents of the solider that killed himself.
The PGR is “freebird57” from IL who drives around in his van, loaded with 135 flags and coolers of water and supplies for those standing the line along with him.
The PGR is the Viet Nam vet that was spit on when he returned, or the lady next to him whose brother was in the Battle of Bulge. Or it is 12 year old Taylor Batten, who had her first heart surgery at the age of 6 months. Taylor has had many surgeries in her past and will have many more in her future, which may not be that long. She is now a PFC USMC, and an honorary MI PGR Ride Captain.
The PGR is not a service group, we are not lobbyists. There are many fine organizations that do this work, and we heartily encourage your support.
The PGR is the biker that will ride over 200 miles in rain so bad he can barely see, and rides only by the taillights of those ahead of him, because the protestors will be at the funeral of PO1 Jerry Tharp in Galesburg IL. And he will not only consider it a privilege to have protestors scream in his face, shielding them from the family, but will consider it one of the proudest days of his life. And there are 329 people standing next to him feeling exactly the same way.
The PGR is the rider who could not think of any place he would rather be at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, than to stand at the grave site of a friend’s father, on the anniversary of his passing. A father who earned the Silver Star in Korea for gallantry above and beyond the call of duty: A father whose family had no idea what he had done and the awards he had won, until they went through his belongings after his death.
If you do not fit in anywhere in the above, or you have another agenda, you might reconsider whether you are in the right place. However,if you are with us, it will be my honor to stand with you anytime, anywhere.
And when the organizers of a parade ask how many PGR will be there, I will tell them there might be 100, but I will only guarantee one.
And if there is an Honor Mission for a fallen hero that same day, I will not be there either.
Being a PGR is not fun. It may well be one of the hardest things you will ever do.
You may have the mother of a fallen solider cry on your shoulder, thanking you for being there.
You may have a Marine, who has escorted his buddy from Afghanistan, stand at attention and salute you, with tears streaming down his f ace.
Being a PGR may not be fun, but you will never stand with better people. It may be one of the most rewarding things you will ever do, and without a doubt, it will change your life forever.
#3
11-04-2011, 07:43 AM
Advanced
Join Date: Jul 2010
Location: South Central Ky
Posts: 99
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Who is a PGR?
Yes a good description, but was written a while back. We are now over 252,000 strong and it has been about 6 years. Glad you posted it here.
#5
11-04-2011, 08:26 AM
This weekend there will be the funeral for Lance Corporal Jason Barfield at Ashford AL (near Dothan)and that scum bag Westboro lunatic group is threatening to show up. I hope that local PGR and others would confront these idiots and allow the family and community to honor a fallen hero
#6
11-04-2011, 08:29 AM
Tourer
Join Date: Oct 2008
Location: Peachtree City, GA
Posts: 419
Likes: 0
Received 0 Likes
on
0 Posts
Well said. Still hard to capture in words the appreciation expressed by parents who have lost their only son - and they thank YOU. We thank THEM for their sacrifice.
#7
11-04-2011, 08:52 AM
thanks for posting... yeah, it's a little old, but - describes the PGR very well.
it is hard to stand a flag line and have a young widow thank you for coming to her husband's service. or have the commanding General thank you for standing for his young Trooper. and all you can muster to say is... it is my honor to do this.
it is hard to stand a flag line and have a young widow thank you for coming to her husband's service. or have the commanding General thank you for standing for his young Trooper. and all you can muster to say is... it is my honor to do this.
Trending Topics
#8
11-04-2011, 09:04 AM
Road Master
Thanks for the post
I joined a few months ago but my work takes me out of town most of the time so I have yet to be on a mission.
For that reason, I have not added the patch on my vest or signature until I actually participate.
That will change next week. There is a local event here in town and I am home this week.
There is also a Veterans Day event at one of our Veterans Cemetery's on Friday. I have taken that day off to join them
Once done, I will feel I can consider myself an active member and display the patch.
Thanks to all Veterans ....and thanks to the PGR
I joined a few months ago but my work takes me out of town most of the time so I have yet to be on a mission.
For that reason, I have not added the patch on my vest or signature until I actually participate.
That will change next week. There is a local event here in town and I am home this week.
There is also a Veterans Day event at one of our Veterans Cemetery's on Friday. I have taken that day off to join them
Once done, I will feel I can consider myself an active member and display the patch.
Thanks to all Veterans ....and thanks to the PGR
#9
11-05-2011, 09:49 AM
Here's a more current one...from yesterday.
‘O’ Dark Thirty – Alarm Clock goes off. I’m already awake waiting for it.
Pile on layer upon layer upon layer upon layer of clothing for the upcoming day.
Check the forecast, a brisk 35 degrees out, with no chance of rain.
Decision made.
Bike starts, but with a groan.
For once, I throw on the helmet, anything to stay a bit warmer at 80 mph. Don’t want to know the windchill factor.
Head to staging, hoping others will show up.
Kickstands Up, with 9 others. Phew.
Watch the sun break the horizon between two ribbons of concrete as we head East.
Mind wonders with the droan of 3500 RPMs.
Fingers numb, but only 11 miles to go, no need to stop now.
Arrive at staging 15 minutes early, but there are already a dozen riders waiting.
No time for gas, need heat. Luckily there was a nice grill top to warm my hands up over.
5 layers of clothes / Bathroom.
Finalize plans with State Patrol. Lots in store for the Horn Family and PGR.
Geno from Minneapolis arrives. Farthest Ride Award for the day.
Briefing and head to airport hangar.
Touch base with MN State Patrol. Everything is ready.
Step through hangar door to a warm blast of air.
Can’t stay, mission to complete outside.
Set flagline, Rangers already at Parade Rest.
Family arrives in hangar. Dead silence except for the weeping from Chris’
Mother.
Her weeping turns to cries of pain, sorrow, sadness, emptiness.
Unforgettable.
Rangers render salute as charter plane touches down. They do not waiver.
Plane taxis up, wheels chucked, engines wind down.
Cargo door slowly opens.
Flight crew prepares to unload their most valuable payload.
The Hangar is Silent.
Flags snapping in the breeze.
Rangers still holding salute.
Flag draped casket is lowered from the plane.
Hangar is still silent.
Rangers retrieve their fallen comrade.
Flag draped coffin is set on casket cart short of the hearse.
Mother is brought to casket.
She is completely distraught with grief, wailing, hugging the casket, sobbing, indescribable.
She is not the only person with tears in their eyes. We wear sunglasses for good reason.
Fiancée is brought out, same result. She cannot hold herself up. We are all thankful for her fallens’ father.
Ranger is front of me is trembling. Cold or sadness?
Few by few, the remainder of the family are brought outside.
Chaplain gives a prayer.
Family retreats to the hanger.
Rangers complete their most honorable transfer.
Door is shut with a deadening thud.
Hearse slowly rolls out of hangar.
We mount up for the trip to Decorah.
First town is La Crescent, many locals out along the route, holding flags.
Hands over hearts.
Just as we settle into a good pace, we come to Hokah.
Column slows for Hokah Fire Trucks to join the procession.
Turn a sharp corner to see school children lining one side of road.
Other side of Hwy 44 is lined by residents of the Nursing Home.
Sunglasses.
Same scene is repeated in Caledonia, Spring Grove, & Mabel, as schools where dismissed for this occasion.
What a lesson learned for today’s children.
Honor Guards in every town.
Rural driveways filled with Patriots.
Roads lined with American Flags, large and small.
White haired lady with the salute of a 20 year old Marine catches my eye.
Sunglasses.
Local Police join in and trail off along the route.
Fire Trucks
EMT
School children
Carpenters stop work on a roof to show respect.
Veterans
Citizens
Family Pets
Mature Bald Eagle on roadside.
Highway Department stops road construction and all traffic for procession.
High Vis Vests showing respect.
Truckers on running boards showing respect.
Town after town, shoulder to shoulder with support for this family.
Turn South to Iowa.
More supporters along route.
More Sunglasses.
Hands going numb again.
Nothing compared to families grief.
Time to suck it up and ride on.
Head into Decorah, all traffic stopped for the procession.
More citizens on street in support of this family.
Arrive at Funeral Home.
Establish final flagline for the day.
Rangers set to bring their brother home.
Family walks flagline to express their thanks.
Never easy. What To Say?
It’s Our Honor.
Sorry for your loss.
He Will Never be Forgotten!
Rest In Peace Pfc Christopher Alexander Horns
20 years young.
Engaged
US Army Ranger, C Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis McCord, WA.
Killed In Action October 22nd, 2011, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan
RIP Alexander The Great.
--
written by a
Senior Ride Captain - Southern MN
Ride Captain - Rochester Sector
MN Patriot Guard
Patriot Guard Riders
‘O’ Dark Thirty – Alarm Clock goes off. I’m already awake waiting for it.
Pile on layer upon layer upon layer upon layer of clothing for the upcoming day.
Check the forecast, a brisk 35 degrees out, with no chance of rain.
Decision made.
Bike starts, but with a groan.
For once, I throw on the helmet, anything to stay a bit warmer at 80 mph. Don’t want to know the windchill factor.
Head to staging, hoping others will show up.
Kickstands Up, with 9 others. Phew.
Watch the sun break the horizon between two ribbons of concrete as we head East.
Mind wonders with the droan of 3500 RPMs.
Fingers numb, but only 11 miles to go, no need to stop now.
Arrive at staging 15 minutes early, but there are already a dozen riders waiting.
No time for gas, need heat. Luckily there was a nice grill top to warm my hands up over.
5 layers of clothes / Bathroom.
Finalize plans with State Patrol. Lots in store for the Horn Family and PGR.
Geno from Minneapolis arrives. Farthest Ride Award for the day.
Briefing and head to airport hangar.
Touch base with MN State Patrol. Everything is ready.
Step through hangar door to a warm blast of air.
Can’t stay, mission to complete outside.
Set flagline, Rangers already at Parade Rest.
Family arrives in hangar. Dead silence except for the weeping from Chris’
Mother.
Her weeping turns to cries of pain, sorrow, sadness, emptiness.
Unforgettable.
Rangers render salute as charter plane touches down. They do not waiver.
Plane taxis up, wheels chucked, engines wind down.
Cargo door slowly opens.
Flight crew prepares to unload their most valuable payload.
The Hangar is Silent.
Flags snapping in the breeze.
Rangers still holding salute.
Flag draped casket is lowered from the plane.
Hangar is still silent.
Rangers retrieve their fallen comrade.
Flag draped coffin is set on casket cart short of the hearse.
Mother is brought to casket.
She is completely distraught with grief, wailing, hugging the casket, sobbing, indescribable.
She is not the only person with tears in their eyes. We wear sunglasses for good reason.
Fiancée is brought out, same result. She cannot hold herself up. We are all thankful for her fallens’ father.
Ranger is front of me is trembling. Cold or sadness?
Few by few, the remainder of the family are brought outside.
Chaplain gives a prayer.
Family retreats to the hanger.
Rangers complete their most honorable transfer.
Door is shut with a deadening thud.
Hearse slowly rolls out of hangar.
We mount up for the trip to Decorah.
First town is La Crescent, many locals out along the route, holding flags.
Hands over hearts.
Just as we settle into a good pace, we come to Hokah.
Column slows for Hokah Fire Trucks to join the procession.
Turn a sharp corner to see school children lining one side of road.
Other side of Hwy 44 is lined by residents of the Nursing Home.
Sunglasses.
Same scene is repeated in Caledonia, Spring Grove, & Mabel, as schools where dismissed for this occasion.
What a lesson learned for today’s children.
Honor Guards in every town.
Rural driveways filled with Patriots.
Roads lined with American Flags, large and small.
White haired lady with the salute of a 20 year old Marine catches my eye.
Sunglasses.
Local Police join in and trail off along the route.
Fire Trucks
EMT
School children
Carpenters stop work on a roof to show respect.
Veterans
Citizens
Family Pets
Mature Bald Eagle on roadside.
Highway Department stops road construction and all traffic for procession.
High Vis Vests showing respect.
Truckers on running boards showing respect.
Town after town, shoulder to shoulder with support for this family.
Turn South to Iowa.
More supporters along route.
More Sunglasses.
Hands going numb again.
Nothing compared to families grief.
Time to suck it up and ride on.
Head into Decorah, all traffic stopped for the procession.
More citizens on street in support of this family.
Arrive at Funeral Home.
Establish final flagline for the day.
Rangers set to bring their brother home.
Family walks flagline to express their thanks.
Never easy. What To Say?
It’s Our Honor.
Sorry for your loss.
He Will Never be Forgotten!
Rest In Peace Pfc Christopher Alexander Horns
20 years young.
Engaged
US Army Ranger, C Company, 2nd Battalion, 75th Ranger Regiment at Joint Base Lewis McCord, WA.
Killed In Action October 22nd, 2011, Kandahar Province, Afghanistan
RIP Alexander The Great.
--
written by a
Senior Ride Captain - Southern MN
Ride Captain - Rochester Sector
MN Patriot Guard
Patriot Guard Riders
