Long, Slow Burn
Archive for the 'Patriot Guard' Category
01 7th, 2008
This was my first “Send Off” event for the PGR that I had been on. The morning was below my current riding limit of 42 degrees so my neighbor, Kevin Whitley and I drove down in his truck. This was Kevin’s first event for the PGR and the weather turned out nicely. Beautiful, sunny day. Enough of that though.
We were there to send off the 2125th Garrison Support Unit. It is my understanding that they were flying to Virginia for a couple weeks of training and then off to Iraq for a 400 day mission. This is a reserve group so not only are they serving their country, not only are they leaving their families behind, they’re leaving jobs and their “normal” life behind to serve. What an amazing and impressive group of people they are. It was my honor to stand in recognition of what they are doing. By looking into their eyes, I think it meant something to them for us to be there.
The totals are that there were 43 bikes and 11 cages (cars) there for the event. Once we completed the “meet and greet”, Dekalb shut down 285 for us as we escorted two chartered buses to thei airport. We even had a helicopter escort. Very cool. Thanks to the members of the 2125th for their fine service. Thanks to the family of the 2125th. I salute your sacrifice as well. Thanks to my PGR brothers and sisters for making me feel welcome again, and for everything you do for our troops.
To the 2125th, please come home safely.
11 1st, 2007
What this group does is evil. I was going to say “approaching evil”, but there’s no use beating around the bush. Evil.
From Breitbart.com comes the story “Jury Awards Father $2.9M in Funeral Case”
In my previous posting, I had was mistaken. This is a civil suit which has a much lower burden of proof than a criminal suit. Thus the suit isn’t about what the Phelps Gang can and cannot say, but what damage their free speech inflicts.
Wow. $2.9M though! The gang isn’t worth that, for sure. They’ll be paying that off for the rest of their miserable lives. Just like OJ. OJ has friends that fund his golf game. (Grrr.) I don’t think the Phelps Gang has those kinds of friends however. Unless god drops them some coin, that is. 
10 26th, 2007
Yes, gang. These group of looney thugs go around protesting funerals of dead soldiers.
“Father: Funeral protest made him sick” at the EveningSun.com
“They turned this funeral into a media circus and they wanted to hurt my family,” Snyder testified. “They wanted their message heard and they didn’t care who they stepped over. My son should have been buried with dignity, not with a bunch of clowns outside.”
I feel so sorry for this father. His son gave the ultimate sacrifice and this country should not forget that. This is why I ride with the Patriot Guard, to help keep these things from happening to the families, grieving at the loss of their sons and daughters.
That being said, however, I am a major proponent of free speech. I believe that these hate filled, crazy, spitefull, pitiful excuses of human beings … deserve the right to say what they think and feel. Yes, especially when I disagree with them. And boy, do I disagree with their message. On so many levels. That’s why I’ll put my body, or my motorcycle in between this filth and the family and friends of this marine.
Free speech is not only for the people that we agree with. I’m sorry for the loss of Lance Cpl. Matthew Snyder. Free speech shouldn’t also be a casualty of war.
07 2nd, 2007
This ran in the Cherokee Tribune on Sunday July 1st, 2007.
We want to thank you for your support and patriotism and love you showed for a fallen soldier, Sgt. Brian Daniel Ardron, son, brother, husband, and father.
Special and deep heartfelt thanks go out to the Patriot Guard Riders, you mean more than words could ever express. The American Legion Post 45 for all their support. The Cherokee Co. Sheriff and all the deputies, all the honor and respect you showed at every roadblock standing at attention and saluting the body and family as it passed.
The Canton Police Dept. for escorting Daniel’s body from Dobbins AFB, for blocking road and saluting with pride as the funeral passed.
The Canton Fire Dept. showing America’s true colors with the arch and large flag over the road for a true American hero.
All the people standing on Hwy. 20 from Sosebee Funeral Home to Macedonia Memorial Park, saluting, hands over your heart, all the flags, the love and respect you showed for someone you didn’t know. Thank you Circle 5 Fire Dept. for your patriotism and support. Daniel would have said I don’t need all this, but he deserved the best, and he got it on Hwy. 20 and Cherokee Co. on Sat., June 2, 2007. Thank you so very much.
The Ardron Family
It was my personal honor to show my support for the Ardron Family. It is still hard to talk about for me. I hope it is a long time until I have to ride for a PGR mission, but it is my honor to do so if I am needed.
06 2nd, 2007
I left this morning around 7:30am to get to the Walmart in Canton. There were already around 50 bikes in the parking lot. I met several new friends. There were lots of first time riders there which is good to see. The message is still getting out, and being felt.
We had the normal mission briefing but then something unusual happened. Sgt. Ardron’s wife appeared through the crowd and thanked us for showing support for her husband. Waterworks! We’re there to be of some small comfort, and she’s thanking US! This beautiful young woman will never be healed fully from this. It is our honor to pay tribute to her husband.
Kick stands up at around 8:30 and we had full escort to Sosbee Funderal home. If I was to guess, I would say that there were around 100 bikes rumbling down the road. The service was a short one at about 45 minutes long.
I met a kind gentleman who was standing next to me who served in Vietnam and is almost recovered from Post Tramatic Stress Disorder. I’m sorry to say that I didn’t get his name. He’s a survivor. He is working hard to overcome his condition. Good luck to him and many others.
The funeral doors opened and Sgt. Ardron was brought to the hearse. I heard sobbing but I didn’t turn to see who. I can’t imagine the hurt being felt by the family and friends. I was crying too.
Full escort to the Macedonia Baptist cemetery which is about half way home for me. There were hundreds of people lining the route, hats over heart, flags flying proud, vets saluting. Sometimes I wonder if its just old biker dudes who are so patriotic and that maybe some do it just to get out and ride … and then you see the support of people of the whole community. It’s a beautiful thing. When I passed a vet, I put my hand over my heart and bowed my head to them. I hope they understood that I was thanking them for their service to their country.
We lined up at the cemetery and gathered close for the burial ceremony. Few words were spoken but the emotions were all there. I looked over to the left and saw Thumper, GA Ride Captain, make her way out of the crowd. She was crying and I think it was too much for her. The 21 gun salute almost scared me out of my wits, and taps made me weep … again.
Shortly thereafter, we were dismissed. I was very proud of the Patriot Guard today, and proud to be a member of such a great group. I was too shaken to head home right away. I was still trying to recover from the emotion of the event, so I stopped in to The Great Wall for some Chinese for lunch. This gave me some time to calm down and regroup.
I hope the next Patriot Guard ride is a long time from now.
UPDATE: Here are some pictures from this mission to honor Sgt. Ardron. Click here.
02 8th, 2007
I’m going to be leaving in about an hour to go to a memorial service. I’ll be standing with the Patriot Guard to honor a too young Cpl. Richard O. Quill III. Richard was a 22 year old U.S. Marine that died in a non-hostile accident in Iraq.
My mission and purpose is to show the family and friends of this brave hero, that their loss will not be forgotten. It’s not about politics or my beliefs for or against the war. It is about recognizing the loss of this family.
I am giving up my evening. Well worth it.
01 10th, 2007
This was my second ride for the Patriot Guard Riders. This past Saturday, I had the honor of riding for Captain Hayes Clayton. Both Captain Clayton and Sargent Wheelous were killed in the same vehicle on Christmas day in Iraq. For the Captain Clayton, there were over 200 riders. Unfortunately, I didn’t get any pictures.
I didn’t want to go to Sargent Wheelous’ funeral. I was going to be cold and windy. It was far away and beyond my current riding ability. But I was compelled to go. My son’s schedule also cleared up so I decided to take my cage (car) and bring my son along. It’s time that he sees what price we pay (and have payed) for our freedom.
The service was on a Tuesday and I was afraid that there wouldn’t be over 20 riders there. I was pleasantly surprised when I saw over 60 riders! It was a sad event and I cried for the family.
It is interesting watching the family and friends entering the funeral home. Some act as if they’re on a stroll on a sidewalk. Others are dazed. Some you can read the pain on their faces. Some people pass us by as if we aren’t there. Some thank us for being there. There’s always applause for the service men and women with calls of “Thank you for serving our country” coming from the Patriot Guard. I’m hoping that my being there, matters and helps take away some of the pain.
I’m proud to stand with my fellow Patriot Guard members and honor our fallen soldiers.
