Many of you know that I am a member of the patriot Guard Riders. Last night those who were in the chat heard about our ride on saturday. this is for those who weren't in the chat but may be interested.
Saturday Marine Engineer Company B returned home to South Bend, Indiana. This was their first chance to see their families after many months away. One member, Cpl. Aaron Seal was killed by a roadside bomb October 1, 2006. many of our Patriot Guard were at his funeral on Oct 7.
Saturday we met at Hoosier HD wher Aaron's family and Hoosier HD had a militart appreciation day with a lunch. Donations were taken for the Aaron Seal memorial scholarship fund. about 2pm we had a police escort from Elkhart to South Bend Reserve Center, flag lines were set up and then those on bikes went to the SB airport to meet the Marines when their plane arrived. After an impatient wait the Southwest Airlines charter plane arrived about 1/2 hour behind schedule. When the buses were loaded we had a parade with police, fire departments and patriot guard riders escorting them to the reserve center to meet their families and friends. At all the other Patriot Guard events I have participated in I had the only sidecar. Saturday I was suprised to see another rig as we were lining up for the parade. They were 3 bikes behind me so during the wait I walked back and met USCA members Dallas and Carol Glassburn for the first time. Carol is handicaped and now must use a wheelchair. They have a rack on the back of the Velorex car to carry her chair. Some of you may have met them at the North Vernon, IN rally the last few years. There were people lining the parade route back to the Reserve Center waving flags and cheering for the returning solders. Back at the center a local High School band was playing . We did get a chance to talk to a few of the 120 returning marines, but left them have most of their time with their families. David and Laurie Dunn, Aaron Seal's parents, were riding their new HD ultra classic. Their Daughter Valerie rode with the ride captain Hugo. I had the honor of having her daughter Brianna, who is in 7th grade, ride in the sidecar with me. I took a few pictures at Hoosier HD then gave the camera to Brianna who took most of the rest. I think Brianna did an excellent job taking pictures. I know it was a difficult time for thier family. Reliving the loss of their son, brother, uncle. It made the ride extra special for me when Brianna wanted to ride with me.
http://keithmillerphotography.com/Company_B/
Looks like you had a good Mission,nice turn outWhere dod that big Eagle come from? I am the only rig at our missions here.Western Slope Ride Captain ColoradoLakota man
Ron, I thought you would enjoy seeing this. I don't know where they got the inflatable eagle. That was set up at the reserve center when we got there.
Knowing Aaron Seal's family it was a real honor for me when his niece wanted to ride with me. I can't imagine the thoughts that they were having taking part in the ride.
Keith
Yep!!! Me to. I'm the only one with a side hack on the missions that I've gone on. One in Northern Calif. the rest in Oregon. But even though I've been nicknamed TRIPOD no one has had a bad thing to say about my rig. In fact, just the opposite. Every one takes the time to say thanks for coming & then starts asking about the hack. I'm real proud to be a PGR member. And if I couldn't do it any other way, I'd drive a cage.
Way to go,we still need MORE of us only have 85000 members in the whole country
I, too, am proud to be a PGR member. And we have had more than our share of honor missions. I much prefer the welcome home missions. When we have a mission in the Tampa Bay area, there is usually a guy and his wife on an HD with a sidecar. They been on two missions that I have attended and they are always gone before I can meet them. I am in northeast Florida and I have not seen but one sidecar, one time, on missions in my area.
Thank you Keith, Ron, and Scott for honoring our heroes.
This is a busy week for the PGR in Indiana. 3 missions this week. I oculdn't work the one today in, but plan on the wednesday ahd thursday ones. Snowing today with rain forcast for wednesday and thursday.
We had a wonderful meeting this Sunday with the Gretchin and her daughter who are doing the Run 4 Chance. They started in 29 Palms California and WALKING to Dubios Wyoming a 1547mi trip on FOOT. When they get to Grand junction on the 20 of April we will have a big parade and party for them. If you want to know more go to www.run4chance
Originally written by HDKeith on 4/9/2007 1:14 PM
This is a busy week for the PGR in Indiana. 3 missions this week. I oculdn't work the one today in, but plan on the wednesday ahd thursday ones. Snowing today with rain forcast for wednesday and thursday.
We had an honor mission in Miami yesterday; I couldn't attend. We have one outside of Jacksonville tomorrow and one pending for this weekend.
tomorrow doesn't look real nice for the ride to Fort Wayne. up to 1 inch of SNOW at this end and a mix of snow and freezing rain as I go further southeast. Will just take it easy. only 45 miles each way. high tomorrow about 45 deg.
well, this isn't march 24 anymore, but home from the ride for Lt. Neal Shank. Left home about 7:20 am. Temp about 30 deg and 1/2 inch of snow on the ground. Rode through snow and rain. got to the staging area then the bies went to escort the procession from the funeral home to the War Memorial Coliseum for the funeral. stood in the flag line in rain and wind. by the time we got inside to warm up my boots and gloves were soaked through... I know, they were SUSPOSED to be waterproof. but age and wear have taken their toll. then at the conclusion of the service we set up the flag line again. because of the heavy rain I didn't take any pictures. May be able to get a few from a couple others who had cameras there. next on the ajenda was going about 10 miles to meet Solo1 and see his rig. ON the way there I stopped at River City HD and bought a new pair of rain gloves. Kinda expensive but money well spent. Wayne was so kind, giving me a large cup of coffee and a ham sandwitch. even dried my sox while we were visiting. I must say he has a very nice rig and I look forward to riding with him..... but in better weather than today. arrived back home about 5pm and now ready to dry out.
