Patriot Guard Riders Mission Statement

Notice - The PGR store is open since the first of the new year.

Thank you for your patience.

The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security. If you share this respect, please join us.

   We don’t care what you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a "hawk" or a "dove". It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn't matter where you’re from or what your income is. You don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.

   Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives.

1. Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.

2. Shield the mourning family and friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.

   We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.

Folks, this is not just important…

It’s what we do!

Join Us!

RD - SE Missouri Ride Captain

Stars & Stripes Museum

This Day
in History

The stars and stripes logo
Museum / Library Association, Inc.^®

To those in military service and to our veterans, The Stars and Stripes represents much more than our American flag. They recognize it as the newspaper that serves as a medium between soldiers and their families, as well as a reporter of news. Over the last 139 years, millions of copies of The Stars and Stripes have been distributed throughout the world. And, it all began during the Civil War in the town of Bloomfield, located in southeast Missouri. It was here on November 9, 1861 that ten Illinois Union soldiers, using the vacated press of The Bloomfield Herald, published the first "Stars and Stripes" which they named after the American flag. One of the original copies of that 1861 paper is now owned by the Stoddard County Historical Society and to be put on loan with the museum. The Stars and Stripes flourished during each of the five major wars this country has fought.
		General John J. Pershing, a fellow Missourian, recognized the value of The Stars and Stripes during World War I, as a great morale builder.
During World War II, General George C. Marshall referred to The Stars and Stripes "as a symbol of the things we are fighting to preserve...free thought and free expression of a free people". Many famous people have been connected with The Stars and Stripes: Cartoonist Bill Mauldin; Andy Rooney and Steve Kroft of "Sixty Minutes" were former Striper's as was Harold K. Ross, founder of the New Yorker magazine. Grantland Rice, Ernie Pyle and other war correspondents have also contributed to the newspaper. Several former S & S staff members and various war veterans have donated personal letters, unpublished behind-the-scenes reports, back issues of The Stars and Stripes and other interesting war-related items to be displayed or filed as reference material.
All this history will be preserved. A Stars and Stripes Museum/Library with climate-controlled storage, handicapped accessibility, display and meeting rooms will be invaluable for research. The facility serves historians, students and writers, as well as the general public.

Motorcycle Safety

Get trained and licensed. Research has shown that more than 90 percent of all riders involved in crashes were either self-taught or taught by friends.

Ride sober. Alcohol is a factor in almost half of all single-vehicle motorcycle crashes. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs can diminish visual capabilities and affect judgement.

Ride responsibly: Wear protective gear, including a helmet, eye protection, jacket, full-fingered gloves, long pants and over-the-ankle boots. Keep the bike well maintained. Maintain proper lane positioning to further increase visibility to motorists, keep a "space cushion" between the bike and other traffic and obey speed limits.
Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation
Motorist safety

Be aware of the blind spot. Motorcycles can often fit completely in the driver's "blind spot," the area of vision behind the rear pillar of most cars. Signal before changing lanes and check again before making the maneuver.

Wet roads and adverse weather have a greater affect on motorcyclists. Always keep plenty of distance (at least four seconds at higher speeds) if following a motorcycle, more in bad weather.

When approaching a motorcycle from the rear or passing another vehicle with a biker in the oncoming lane, it can be difficult to gauge the speed of motorcycles because they take up less of a vision field, which makes depth perception more challenging.

Look for road hazards. A significant portion of motorcycle accidents involve swerving suddenly to avoid hazards. If there is a large pothole, a rough train-track crossing or an area with water puddles, anticipate that the rider might take evasive action.

Give motorcyclists a full lane for travel and don't pass bikers with a minimal amount of space because the force of the buffeted wind could cause a rider to lose control. Motorcyclists also might choose to ride near one side of a lane to maximize the view of the lane ahead.

Source: www.TheCarConnection.com

Patriot Guard Riders Escort Soldier

Tuesday, 12 August 2008 8:26 A GMT-06

A soldier’s farewell

By MARSHA DORGAN
Napa Valley Register

Napa CA -- U.S. Army Pfc. Jennifer Cole was scheduled to arrive in Napa on Monday for an 18-day leave from her duties in war-torn Iraq.

Instead, her family buried her in a traditional military ceremony in the wake of Cole’s Aug. 2 death in a non-combat incident in Bayji, Iraq.

On Monday morning, family, friends and Army personnel packed the Cornerstone Ministries church in north Napa to bid farewell to the fallen soldier.

Cole’s mother, Candy Gholson, father James Cole Jr., stepfather and former American Canyon Mayor Rick Mahanay, brothers Jeff, James and Joey Cole as well as other family members sat quietly in the front pew of the church.

The flag-draped casket where Cole lay in full military dress was directly in front of them. They held one another for support and comfort.

Emotions ran high as several family members shared their memories and reflections.

Jeff Cole, who retired from the Army last year after completing a tour of Afghanistan, read a poem he wrote for his sister.

“Jennifer was the best. She will be loved and always remembered,” he said, choking back tears.

James Cole III, said his sister “gave every one of us a reason to smile. She put that smile on our faces.”

Other friends talked about their love and respect for the young woman.

“She was one of the most enthusiastic people about life I ever met. I used to ask her how she dealt with (life in Iraq.) She said she loved what she was doing and truly believed she was making a difference,” James Cole’s girlfriend said.

Pastor Bill Walden read a letter Cole had written to her mother while stationed in Iraq. “Hello mama, happy Sunday. It’s 9 a.m. and 90 degrees. I drew flowers on your card since I can’t send you any. I love you. See you soon,” the letter read.

U.S. Army Brigadier General Charles Ebner, deputy commander with the 63rd Regional Readiness Command, honored Cole’s military career by giving her mother, father and stepfather several Army commendation medals Cole had earned.

A parade of motorcycles with American flags waving from the back fenders, driven by volunteers from the Patriot Guard Riders and California State Honor Guard, provided an escort for the hearse and family limousine from the church to Tulocay Cemetery.

Six military honor guards carried the casket to the cemetery plot as a bagpipe played in the background.

A 21-gun salute rang out while family and friends stood nearby. Some in the crowd held their hands over the hearts, other saluted as “Taps” was played.

Under investigation

Cole’s death still is being investigated by the Army, according to Sgt. Mario Morales.

Cole was assigned to E Company, 426th Forward Support Battalion, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division. She was stationed in Bayji, Iraq, a city north of Baghdad and the site of the country’s largest oil refinery.

Troops had just returned for the day and were cleaning weapons. One weapon had not been completely cleared and it discharged, striking Cole in the abdomen, Morales said.

“If she had died in combat ... I don’t know, it might be easier,” said Cole’s father, Mahanay. “But to have died in an accident that never should have happened is totally unacceptable.”

Cole’s brother Jeff echoed Mahanay’s feelings.

“Muzzle awareness. That’s all it would have taken and my sister would be here today. There is no excuse for her death,” he said.

Jennifer Cole was born in Vallejo and grew up in American Canyon, attending Silverado Middle School and graduating from Vintage High School in 1992.

After graduating from high school, Cole worked briefly for UPS. She joined her mother at her floral shop in Vallejo, where she worked until her mother sold her store. She enlisted in the Army in July 2007 and was serving as a troop and supply transport driver in Iraq.

Mahanay, who now lives in Oregon, raised Jennifer when the family lived in American Canyon.

“She was my daughter. I moved to Oregon when she enlisted in the Army last year. But we always kept in touch. She and I would e-mail two to three times a week. I was always sending her care packages with snacks and goodies,” Mahanay told the Register last week.

Gholson recalled her daughter’s passion for flowers. “She once made a red, white and blue U.S. flag arrangement out of flowers for a grave. She always thought that was one of her best. Isn’t that ironic?” Gholson said.

Before the funeral started on Monday, Mahanay took a break to get some fresh air and compose himself.

“You know I bought this suit a couple of months ago for my other daughter’s wedding. I never thought I would be wearing it to Jennifer’s funeral. We were all suppose to be having a good time with her on her leave, not saying good-bye and burying her,” Mahanay said.

Comments

-RD-

Bikes, Blues & BBQ Train

Tuesday, 12 August 2008 8:19 A GMT-06

Rally adds choo-choo to motorcycle rumble

BY DUSTIN TRACY
Northwest Arkansas Times

Fayetteville AR -- People attending Bikes, Blues & BBQ this year will be charged for transportation between venues for the first time in the rally’s history.

The price of gas and the overall expense of running an event of the rally’s size contributed to the decision to charge for transportation, said Nelson Driver, chairman of the rally’s board.

“ It’s not something we wanted to do, ” he said. “ The more money we save, the more money we can give to charities at the end of the year. ”

The price addition does come with a new option. Aside from the typical shuttle buses running through Fayetteville, the rally goers also will have the option of riding the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad between the Randal Tyson Indoor Track Center in south Fayetteville and Dickson Street in downtown.

Driver said people can purchase a $ 10 armband that will give them access to rally transportation for the entire week, including the shuttle buses that run to and from the track center, and the train, which only runs the Friday and Saturday of the event.

“ If you’re wearing that armband, you can ride as much as you want, ” he said.

Driver said the board was excited to have the train for two days. It will be called the Bikes, Blues & BBQ Blues Train and will be able to carry 240 people per trip, which is more than the capacity of 14 buses.

“ It’ll be a great crowd attraction, ” Driver said.

He said the expense of the train contributed to the need to charge for transportation.

The board plans to build a platform for people boarding and un-boarding the train in south Fayetteville.

Driver said he thinks the train will make conditions a lot easier for bikers looking for a safe place to park their motorcycles instead of having to drive around Dickson Street for hours looking for a spot.

Brenda Brown, a spokesman for the Arkansas & Missouri Railroad, said the train shuttle will start at about noon Friday and run until about 1 a. m. Saturday, then will reopen at 11 a. m. Saturday and run until 2 a. m. Sunday. The normal passenger train that runs from Springdale to Van Buren will not run on Saturday during the bike rally, she said.

The railroad often works out private charters with various organizations, Brown said, so the arrangement with Bikes, Blues & BBQ is not unusual.

The ninth annual Bikes, Blues & BBQ will take place Sept. 24-27. The festival last year attracted about 350, 000 people and raised more than $ 100, 000 for local charities.

Comments

-RD-

Mansfield Bike Rally Thanks Bikers

Tuesday, 12 August 2008 8:05 A GMT-06

Bike Rally building on success

By LISA MILLER
News Journal

MANSFIELD OH -- The Mansfield Bike Rally is off to a good start.

But organizers plan to build abigger and better event for next year.

"We were quite pleased with the way everything came out," San Van Cura said. "(If people) didn't have a good time, they don't know how to have a good time.

"We learned a ton the first year."

The downtown location was selected so the rally, held in conjunction with motorcycle races at Mid-Ohio Sports Car Course, would be more centrally located, alleviate congestion on Park Avenue West and bring customers into the heart of town.

Lee Tasseff of the Mansfield/Richland County Convention and Visitors Bureau said the event accomplished the latter goal.

"I haven't seen that many people downtown at one event since I've been here." he said.

Nate Wolleson concurred.

"After Friday's rain had passed by early, a respectable crowd showed up to take in the entertainment and shows," he said. "The second day proved to be a lot of fun, as many expressed their appreciation for the event with applause, whistles and yells as they watched the stunt, moto-trials and band performances."

Mansfield Police Sgt. Ken Coontz applauded the efforts of Van Cura and other organizers.

"I think that things went very well," he said. "I would definitely say it was a success."

On duty for both days, Coontz said he didn't write a single citation for reckless operation.

"It was nothing like it was in past years," he said.

Longtime biker Gary Conlan attended some of the early planning meetings because he thought the rally would give race fans a place to go after events at Mid-Ohio ended.

"Since this was a first, there were no particular guidelines to go on," he said. "I think they did a terrific job of planning and organizing."

The Davis Road resident commended local law enforcement, vendors and sponsors.

"And a thanks to the bikers themselves, who clearly demonstrated that we can be a civilized group," Conlan said. "To area residents, next year come downtown to see a wide variety of interesting motorcycles and enjoy a chance to ask the proud owners about their bikes.

Comments

-RD-

Hells' Angels - Kool-Aid Redux

Tuesday, 5 August 2008 10:35 A GMT-06

Bad Boy Reputation Not always deserved

Hells Angels…Or Just Angels?

By Keriann Lynch
Flathead Beacon

Missoula MT -- This weekend, as I drove into the southern end of Kalispell, I heard the distinctive sound of rumbling motorcycle pipes behind me. The sight in my review mirror was enough to make even the most macho of men a little nervous: Bikers, riding two abreast and eight deep, clad in black leather, bandannas and one particularly intimidating skull mask, were bearing down fast on my little hatchback. From the looks of their heavily tattooed arms and necks, bulging biceps and piercings, these men probably weren’t your middle-aged dad gang playing tough with “the boys.”

As they passed, though, I smiled and waved to the leader and in return received a series of thumbs-up’s and toothy grins (and a few gummy ones, too). See, I learned as a teenager schlepping tables at a downtown Perkins in Billings, that kindness goes a long way with these folks.

It’s the same lesson two young Missoula boys capitalized on this weekend. As it turns out, their “Welcome Hells Angels” sign was all it took to draw more than a few of the renowned bikers – in town for the motorcycle club's USA Run through the Garden City – to their Kool-Aid stand. The last time the club was in town, the boys made nearly $200 - after subtracting overhead costs for sugar, ice and drink packets – in less than two hours. The photos and video on the paper’s Web site show a side far different from the motorcycle gang’s notorious reputation as troublemakers.

In fact, for the most part, few incidents were reported over the weekend as the Hells Angels acted like, well, angels. That’s not to say the group probably hasn’t done plenty to deserve their rough reputation. A quick Google news search brings up plenty of headlines suggesting it’s well earned.

It's just that my experience has always been more Kool-Aid than controversy. Every summer, as motorcyclists – Hells Angels and dad-groups alike – rolled through Billings heading to Sturgis, I learned to seek out their tables in the restaurant. I was regaled with interesting stories, always treated with respect and, like the Missoula boys, was the recipient of more-than generous tips.

One biker, after finding out I was home for the summer from college, left me a $50 bill and a note wishing me luck in my studies. “A kind smile will always be rewarded,” it read.

Comments

-RD-

ABATE Rides for Children's Wish Fund

Tuesday, 5 August 2008 10:14 A GMT-06

Bikers take a tour for charity

By MICHAEL MALIK
Journal & Courier

Lafayette IN -- More than 300 motorcycle riders took part in a bike tour Sunday that helped raise money for charity.

Region 4 of American Bikers Aimed Toward Education of Indiana, a nonprofit group that raises money for charity and lobbies for bikers, held its annual fundraiser in Lafayette to raise money for Indiana Children's Wish Fund.

Maelene Grenat, the event coordinator, said she was hoping to get about 800 riders to participate in Sunday's tour, but she was pleased with the turnout.

"Last year we were the number one donator out of ABATE's regions for this event at $25,000," Grenat said. "We hope to double that this year."

Grenat didn't have any final numbers on how much money was raised.

The tour, which started at noon, took bikers to Romney and back to Lafayette on U.S. 231. The riders received a police escort and didn't have to stop at intersections.

Lafayette resident Dan Brown said he's been riding for 34 years. He said he's glad to come out and help raise money for a charity.

"It's a good day for a good thing," Brown said.

Clarks Hill resident Diana Greenup, who has been riding for about 30 years, said nearly every bike event she attends benefits an organization or person.

"You'd think that Harley riders aren't that caring of people," she said sitting atop her Harley Davidson motorcycle, "but we are."

Diana Greenup was there with her sister and fellow Clarks Hill resident Joey Greenup.

Joey said the event pairs two things she likes to do -- ride her motorcycle and help kids.

"The biggest thing is the kids," she said.

Comments (1-0)

-RD-

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Patriot Guard Riders Escort Soldier

Bikes, Blues & BBQ Train

Mansfield Bike Rally Thanks Bikers

Hells' Angels - Kool-Aid Redux

Bad Boy Reputation Not always deserved

Hells Angels…Or Just Angels?

ABATE Rides for Children's Wish Fund