Patriot Guard Missions

7 December 2012

Friday

Dedication Ceremony

Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort

Spanish Fort, AL



http://www.patriotguard.org/ALLForums/tabid/61/forumid/186/postid/1926886/view/topic/Default.aspx



Fellow Riders,

Development of the new Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort is nearing completion. Once completed and opened in the spring of 2013, we will be involved with supporting funerals of our fallen HEROES at this new cemetery. In fact, the Patriot Guard Riders in southwest Alabama will become one of the key organizations involved with funerals at this location for our fallen HEROES.



The Alabama State Veterans Memorial Cemetery at Spanish Fort will be dedicated in a ceremony at 10:00 AM on Friday, 7 December 2012. The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to participate in the Dedication Ceremony. We will stand a flag line at the dedication shelter and assist the elderly needing help attending the dedication, along with those in wheelchairs, get from the buses bringing them in to their seats in the dedication shelter. After the ceremony and the refreshments being served afterwards, we will assist those in wheelchairs and the elderly needing help back to the buses for departure.



Staging Information:

Location: Spanish Fort Plaza, 6510 Spanish Fort Blvd (US 90/98 at US 31), Spanish Fort, AL

Time: 0830

KSU: 0845

RCIC: Bob "Yoda" Johnson, 251-648-5744, pgryoda@gmail.com



Mobile County Staging:

Location: Battleship Memorial Park Entrance, US 90/98 (Causeway), Mobile, AL

Time: 0800

KSU: 0815

RC: Butch Lott, 251-455-4687



This is a major event for a long awaited resting place for our fallen HEROES. We need to get as large a turnout as possible for this activity. Please do your best to attend.

Very short notice for this ride but Private Oscar W. Canady had very little notice when he stood for us...what is the best we can do for him???




Fellow Riders,

It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that America has lost another True American Hero from the Greatest Generation. The Family of Private Oscar W. Canady has requested that the Patriot Guard stand in honor of their loved one. During World War II, PVT Canady bravely fought to defend our nation, our freedoms, and our way of life as a Lineman with the Field Artillery. PVT Canady was 93 years young at the time of his passing and will be greatly missed by his family and friends.




Funeral services will be held at 2:00 PM on Saturday, 5 January 2013 at Mobile Memorial Gardens on Three Notch Road in Mobile, AL. The Patriot Guard Riders will proudly stand a silent flag line before the services and at the graveside honors. We will also provide a short escort from the Mobile Memorial Gardens Chapel to our HERO's final resting place.







STAGING INFO:




Mobile County Staging:

Location: Walmart Parking Lot, Rangeline Road, Mobile, AL

Time: 1300

Briefing: 1310

KSU: 1315







Baldwin County Staging:

Location: Spanish Fort Scenic Overlook, US 90/US 98 at I-10, Exit 35, Spanish Fort, AL

Time: 1220

KSU: 1240

RCIC: Bob "Yoda" Johnson, pgryoda@gmail.com, 251-648-5744






Private Oscar Canady stood many a hard day and night for us so that we might be safe and free.... ..Now it is our turn to stand for him.

Ride safe. The link to the mission thread is below. Please be sure to follow the link to the thread and post your condolences.




http://www.patriotguard.org/ALLForums/tabid/61/forumid/11/postid/1954502/view/topic/Default.aspx







With Respect,




Bob "Yoda" Johnson

Patriot Guard Riders

Senior Ride Captain

HOTH Captain

SW Alabama

16 February 2013
Saturday
HOTH Mission
William F. Green State Veterans Home
Bay Minette, AL


http://www.patriotguard.org/ALLForums/tabid/61/forumid/132/postid/1982877/view/topic/Default.aspx

Fellow PGR Members,
The third Saturday of the month is rapidly approaching. That means it will soon be time to go visit our HEROES who reside at the William F. Green State Veterans Home in Bay Minette. The veterans really enjoy our visits and look forward to seeing and talking with us.

Please remember, this is cold and flu season. Regulations at the Veterans Home to protect the health of our HEROES prohibit anyone with symptoms of the flu and anyone under the age of 18 from coming into the facility.

STAGING INFORMATION:
Location: Old Tom Thumb station, 2001 US 31 S (across from Faulkner State Community College), Bay Minette, AL.
Time: 0900
KSU: 0915
RC: Bob “Yoda” Johnson, 251-648-5744, pgryoda@gmail.com

Our HEROES of Yesteryear really enjoy our visits and look forward to seeing us. Let’s brighten the day of these men and women who gave so much to ensure our freedoms. Mark your calendars now for Saturday, 16 February 2013.

With Respect,

Bob “Yoda” Johnson
Patriot Guard Riders
Senior Ride Captain
HOTH Captain
SW Alabama

Heading to the CG-6535 Memorial Dedication mission for tomorrow..Lowe’s parking lot, 7760 Airport Blvd, Mobile, AL (actually on Schillinger Rd)

Time: 0800

KSU: 0815

RCIC: Bob “Yoda” Johnson, 251-648-5744, pgryoda@gmail.com

Saw a few PGR riders go past my shop today. Wish I could have made it.

I was there large group from Al, Tx, Ms,Fl and Ga.

Fellow Riders,

It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that America has lost another True American HERO. The Family of US Army Veteran Michael Rhodes has requested that the Patriot Guard stand in honor of their loved one. Mr. Rhodes served in the US Amy and served one tour of duty in Vietnam. Mr. Rhodes passed away at the age of 60. Michael Rhodes put his life on the line to defend our nation and our way of life. The Patriot Guard Riders will be honored to stand a silent flag line at his funeral.



Services will be held on Monday, 1 April 2013 at Serenity Funeral Home on Old Pascagoula Road in Theodore, AL. Visitation will be from 1000 until the funeral service begins at 1200. Following the funeral service, we will escort our HERO to his final resting place in Serenity Memorial Gardens on Old Pascagoula Road in Theodore, AL.



STAGING INFO:

Mobile County Staging:

Location: Walmart Parking Lot, Rangeline Road at I-10,

Time: 0915

KSU: 0930

RCIC: Lloyd “Cager Lloyd” Pursley, 251-422-0696



Baldwin County Staging:

Location: Spanish Fort Scenic Overlook, US90/98 at I-10, Spanish Fort, AL

Time: 0830

KSU: 0845





US Army Veteran Michael Rhodes stood many a hard day and night so that we might be safe and free. Now it is our turn to stand for him.

18 May 2013

Saturday

9th Annual Blue Star Salute

Mobile, Alabama




http://patriotguard.org/ALLForums/tabid/61/forumid/186/postid/2049499/view/topic/Default.aspx





Fellow Riders,

The Patriot Guard Riders have been asked to participate in the 9th Annual Blue Star Salute to be held at the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park in Mobile, Alabama. This activity, put on by the Blue Star Salute Foundation, is held to “Honor Those Who Serve, Have Served, and Those Who Have Fallen In Military Service.” Alabama Governor Robert Bentley has issued a proclamation declaring Saturday, 18 May 2013 as Blue Star Salute Day for Alabama. This day is also Armed Forces Day.

The Patriot Guard Riders will lead a procession of motorcycles into the USS Alabama Battleship Memorial Park to kick off the ceremonies and festivities. The procession will consist of members of the Patriot Guard Riders, American Legion Riders, Semper Fi Riders, Vietnam Legacy Vets MC, and the Confederation of Leathernecks MC. These are the known veteran/military support organizations participating, however, any other military and/or veterans motorcycle organization is welcome to participate. Members in cages are welcome.

Following the motorcycle procession, there will be several ceremonies and presentations. Many Veterans Service Organizations will have booths and re-enactments throughout the morning. Links to the flyers for the event are provided below. The day’s activities will wind up with a Gold Star Salute honoring those from Alabama who have made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom since 9/11/2001, and honor the Gold Star Families. The Patriot Guard Riders will stand a silent flag line at the entrance to the Gold Star Salute area for all of the Gold Star Families to pass through, and then circle the ceremony site.

The Patriot Guard Riders will line part of the entrance road to the Battleship Memorial Park with static American Flags. We will need a few PGR members to assist with placing those flags prior to staging for the ride. We will start that work at 0730 the morning of the event.

STAGING INFO:

Location: AIDT Maritime Training Center parking lot, 360 Addsco Road off Battleship Parkway, Mobile, AL (this is about a half mile from the Battleship). NOTE: The Bankhead Tunnel from downtown Mobile will be closed for maintenance on Saturday, 18 May 2013. Riders coming from the Mobile side of the river will need to find an alternate route to the staging area.

Time: 0800

Briefing: 0815

KSU: 0830

RCIC: Bob “Yoda” Johnson, pgryoda@gmail.com

Let’s show the Blue Star Salute Foundation, our currently serving HEROES, our HEROES who have previously served, and our Gold Star Families how we on Southwest Alabama honor Those Who Have Stood For US.

Blue Star Salute Flyer: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/44680810/Blue%20Star%20Salute.pdf

Blue Star Salute Cruise-In Flyer: https://dl.dropboxusercontent.com/u/44680810/Blue%20Star%20Salute%20Cruise-In.pdf

8 – 9 July 2013
Monday / Tuesday
SPC Amy Lynn McDonald
US Army
OEF
Citronelle, AL

Fellow Riders,
It is with a heavy heart that I must inform you that America has lost another True American HERO. Mr. Brad McDonald, the father of US Army Specialist Amy Lynn McDonald has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to stand for their loved one. SPC McDonald passed away this week at the age of 29 following a tragic motorcycle accident in Orlando, FL. SPC McDonald served in the US Army in support of Operation Enduring Freedom. The Patriot Guard Riders will be honored to stand a silent flag line for this True Patriot and HERO as well as escort her to her final resting place.

This will be a two-part mission. Part One will be for the visitation at Freeman’s Funeral Home, 19180 Center Street, Citronelle, AL from 6:00 PM – 9:00 PM on Monday, 8 July 2013. Part Two will be for the funeral services at 11:00 AM on Tuesday, 9 July 2013 at Freeman’s Funeral Home. Following the service there will be an escort from the funeral home to the graveside at Bethel Baptist Church cemetery, 16641 Prine Road, Citronelle, AL for graveside services and military honors.

PART ONE STAGING INFO – Monday, 8 July 2013:
Mobile County Staging:
Location: Pilot Travel Center, US-43 at I-65, Exit 19, Satsuma, AL
Time: 5:00 PM
Briefing: 5:15 PM
KSU: 5:20 PM
RCIC: Bob “Yoda” Johnson, 251-648-5744

Baldwin County Staging:
Location: Scenic Overlook, US 98, Spanish Fort, AL
Time: 4:15 PM
KSU: 4:30 PM
RC: Ed “JuJu” Lessard, 251-978-6215

PART TWO STAGING INFO – Tuesday, 9 July 2013:
Mobile County Staging:
Location: Pilot Travel Center, US-43 at I-65, Exit 19, Satsuma, AL
Time: 10:00 AM
Briefing: 10:15 AM
KSU: 10:20 AM
RCIC: Lloyd “Cager Lloyd” Pursley, 251-422-0696

Baldwin County Staging:
Location: Scenic Overlook, US 98, Spanish Fort, AL
Time: 9:15 AM
KSU: 9:30 AM
RC: Ed “JuJu” Lessard, 251-978-6215

US Army Specialist Amy Lynn McDonald stood many a hard day and night so that we might be safe and free. Now it is our turn to stand and honor her for her service and sacrifice. Be sure to follow the link below to post your condolences on the loss of this HERO to the mission thread.

With Respect,
Bob “Yoda” Johnson
District Ride Captain
HOTH Captain

2 missions Sunday and one on Monday, whew.....

You gonna do the one to Jackson.

Yea I had to help set that one up, He was a friend of my cousin.

I would like to make it. I'll give you a call if I can make it.

Ok

A lot of rides Very few riders willing anymore.....We need riders I felt ashamed that the 5 of us not more had to escort a Hero's body to the Family.....Damm!!!!

Too much work. I know it's hard for many. I had plans to make the mission Sunday but got called in. Some times I hate my job. The next one on my off day I will be there. So tired of missing out because of work. But not many missions on Thursday or Sunday.

As Hayweed said, work gets in the way. One can only take off so many days. Not many missions on days I can make them. Grateful to those who can and do.

I work 14 & 14 for those people that don't know that means I work and live at work for 14 days then I get 14 days off to do whatever I want, and I choose to ride for the PGR, this is a huge pain in the a$$ at times because of the weird hours that a mission happens and the huge pain in the butt parking placeless we have to gather to honor our Hero's but I have found that the family so loves this and the bikes looked crazy good during the ride....If you can’t make it because you had to work, your family NEED's you for them, you have no reason to be there, I have just me and my wife and she supports me doing these rides also it gets me away from her because 14 days off can be too much of me at home all the time......LOL

My wife would support me doing them on some Saturdays for the same reason. We just have to be available when we can, and do what we can. Been to several where we parked and walked, others where we were right at the site. You just do it cause you know it's what we can do for those who deserve so much more.