Updatd 22 Nov 08 1454 est S Sturgis


Staging Instructions, Eleanor, WV, 4 December 2008 

Staging for the Eleanor portion of this mission will be as follows:

We will meet at the McDonalds in Winfield, WV on Rt. 34, located right near the Winfield Bridge, between 09:30-10:00 am. Gas, food, hot coffee, and restrooms are all right there together; please take this opportunity to fill your fuel tank. The McDonalds is right across the river from the Eleanor Armory. At 10:20, we will pull out as a group, cross the bridge, and stop at the Armory.

  This will be a lengthy escort mission (about 150 miles), and I realize some may not be able to make the entire trip…that’s OK. If you can only ride/drive part way, we still want you to come, even if it’s just for a small portion of the trip. We will be escorting the convoy on a local route for about 20 miles, or so, before getting on I64.

  Once we get on I64, we’ll be heading towards Charleston and the WV Turnpike. The Turnpike Commissioner has graciously arranged for us to transit through each toll booth, without having to stop. As we approach each toll booth, please stay to the extreme right hand side. Our ultimate destination is Bluefield, WV.

  If you plan to do the entire route, please base your iron horse/cage decision on the weather, and be mindful, it will probably get colder the further south we go, due to the change in elevation. I would advise checking the weather for Beckley and Bluefield early on the 4^th.

  I would encourage each one who can, to come show your support for these departing soldiers...they deserve our respect and support.

Buddy Palla

WVPGR ASC-South / RC

304-984-0104

___________________________________________________________________________

Updated 21 Nov 08 0422 est S Sturgis


 

The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to participate in a sendoff for West Virginia members of the 1/150^th Armored Recon Battalion.  There are 570 citizen/soldiers in the 1/150^th from West Virginia, Virginia, Kentucky, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Washington, DC, Indiana, and Michigan.

This marks the second deployment of the 1/150^th to the Middle East in support of the Global War on Terror in the last four years.  They previously deployed to Iraq in October 2004, and completed a 16 month tour of duty before returning home.

On December 4^th, riders will escort members of the 1/150th from their home duty stations to the WVANG Armory in Brush Fork on Route 123 outside Bluefield, WV. One group will depart from Eleanor, WV.  Buddy Palla, Southern WV ASC will be the ride captain for this escort.  Contact Buddy for detail of this mission

On December 5^th the Patriot Guard Riders will escort a convoy of the combined units of the 1/150^th from Bluefield, WV to their first pre-mobilization duty station at Fort Pickett in Blackstone, VA.

 The ride captain for this mission is Pat Hanifin.

                                                STAGING INFORMATION

Staging Location: WVANG Headquarters parking lot off Route 123 in Brush Fork

Staging Time:        0730 on December 5, 2008

Mission Briefing:   0745

KSU:                       0800

Directions to WVANG Headquarters:

From I-77 south take WV Exit 1 to stop light. Turn left on 460 approximately 2 miles. Turn right on 52 north and proceed past Bluefield State College on right side. Turn left on 123 in Brush Fork approximately 1 mile to WVANG Headquarters on the right, and enter parking lot to the right.

Miscellaneous:

Due to the distance travelled, there will be rest/refueling stops along the route. Details will be provided at the mission briefing. All riders should wear DOD compliant clothing. 

Cagers are welcome to participate in this escort. Two and four wheel vehicles should be fueled, and ready to roll upon arrival.

150^th Armored Recon - Thank you for your willingness to serve this great country and protect our family.  May God keep you safe.

Thank you Soldiers of the 1/150th Armored Recon for your willingness to help defend our nations freedom in the Global War on Terrorism.  I pray that the Lord Jesus will place a Hedge of protection around each of you and keep you safe from ALL Harm during this tour of duty.    

Columbus, Ohio
 

Be still, and know
that I am your God.
Psalms 46:10

My sincere gratitude to all of the members of the 150th Armored Recon Squadron for their military service.

My best wishes to you all for a safe deployment, a successful mission, and a joyous holiday season---even though you will be far from home---May God Be With Each Of You.

Terry Hanifin