WarChild Riding Group
Sandy's Toddle Inn - Chaffee MO
Bikers Who Care – We Support:
Finding Cures – Saving Children
Free Spirit
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 Dayin History |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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Patriot Guard Riders Escort Soldier
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.
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.
Emotions ran high as several family members shared their memories and reflections.
“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.