West Virginia PGR
#1
11-11-2008, 10:33 PM
West Virginia PGR
http://www.wsaz.com/home/headlines/34299229.html
Escorting Veterans by Motorcycle
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- They're dying at a rate of more than 1,000 a day. Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, only 3 million are left.
That's why it's so important to honor those still with us. On Veterans Day Tuesday, a group of motorcycle riders did just that. They call themselves the Patriot Guard Riders, and their mission was a deeply gratifying show of reverence.
When Abbott Smith woke up Tuesday morning, he had no idea what awaited him on his way to his weekly lunch gathering with friends.
“Thank you guys. Thank you. This is wonderful,” Smith said .
His friends and family made a pit stop to link him up with the Patriot Guard Riders. They're going to provide him a special escort to his Quarterback Club lunch in Huntington.
“I'm unbelievably thrilled," Smith said. Look at all of these people here.".
Lt. Abbott Smith, a World War II veteran, is among a quickly shrinking group of heroes. He was a lead crew bombardier for the 303rd bomb crew. They flew B-17s on numerous important missions, including an attack on Hamburg, Germany, in 1943.
But press Abbott about his service and he'd rather talk about anyone but himself.
“I take magazines to the Veterans Home and to see what those guys are going through makes me humbled. They're going through a lot,” he said.
But to the Patriot Guard Riders, Abbott is also a hero who risked his life to preserve our country's freedom. For that, a military escort was in order.
It's was Abbott's buddies that came up with the idea.
“Abbott is a longtime friend and a great guy, and our Quarterback Club thought what a great way to honor someone who's given so much and came up with idea,” said Bill Bunch, Abbott’s friend.
There are more than 150,000 Patriot Guard Riders nationwide. Some are veterans and some are not. All of them are eager to show their appreciation to those who serve our country through the military.
Escorting Veterans by Motorcycle
HUNTINGTON, W.Va. (WSAZ) -- They're dying at a rate of more than 1,000 a day. Of the 16 million Americans who served in World War II, only 3 million are left.
That's why it's so important to honor those still with us. On Veterans Day Tuesday, a group of motorcycle riders did just that. They call themselves the Patriot Guard Riders, and their mission was a deeply gratifying show of reverence.
When Abbott Smith woke up Tuesday morning, he had no idea what awaited him on his way to his weekly lunch gathering with friends.
“Thank you guys. Thank you. This is wonderful,” Smith said .
His friends and family made a pit stop to link him up with the Patriot Guard Riders. They're going to provide him a special escort to his Quarterback Club lunch in Huntington.
“I'm unbelievably thrilled," Smith said. Look at all of these people here.".
Lt. Abbott Smith, a World War II veteran, is among a quickly shrinking group of heroes. He was a lead crew bombardier for the 303rd bomb crew. They flew B-17s on numerous important missions, including an attack on Hamburg, Germany, in 1943.
But press Abbott about his service and he'd rather talk about anyone but himself.
“I take magazines to the Veterans Home and to see what those guys are going through makes me humbled. They're going through a lot,” he said.
But to the Patriot Guard Riders, Abbott is also a hero who risked his life to preserve our country's freedom. For that, a military escort was in order.
It's was Abbott's buddies that came up with the idea.
“Abbott is a longtime friend and a great guy, and our Quarterback Club thought what a great way to honor someone who's given so much and came up with idea,” said Bill Bunch, Abbott’s friend.
There are more than 150,000 Patriot Guard Riders nationwide. Some are veterans and some are not. All of them are eager to show their appreciation to those who serve our country through the military.
Last edited by jbphoto; 11-11-2008 at 10:36 PM.
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