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Patriot Guard Riders Forum
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cagerbob 
Posts: 4153
Parma, Ohio
Forum Moderator
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| 03 Jul 2008 10:48 PM |
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120 World War II Veterans to be honored at Memorial Stadium in Lincoln Nebraska before flying to Washington DC
The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to participate in the Second Heartland Honor Flight, pre-flight ceremony, Monday, July 7, 2008, at Memorial Stadium.
One hundred twenty (120) World War II Veterans from Nebraska will be flown to Washington DC to visit the WWII and other Memorials at no cost to the Veteran.
Patriot Guard Riders will be escorting 3 busses of Veterans to Memorial Stadium. We will have a flag line honoring our WWII Heroes as they enter the reception at Memorial Stadium.
DATE: Monday, July 07th, 2008
STAGE TIME: 3:15pm
STAGING LOCATION: UNL Alumni Champion Club Parking lot directly across Stadium Drive (formerly N 10th St) from the West entry to Memorial Stadium
BUS ESCORT: 3:45 pm A group of pre-designated riders will ride to the WWII Veteran bus loading area to escort the buses. The rest of the riders will set up a flag line to honor our American Heroes as they arrive and enter Memorial Stadium. The busses will be loading at 4pm with a scheduled departure to the stadium at 4:15pm
Flag Line: All other riders will form a flag line flanking the entry doors under gates 6 & 8, to the stadium honoring the 120 WWII Veterans as they arrive. The PGR flag trailer will be on site.
Nebraska Governor Dave Heineman and Athletic Director Tom Osborne will be there to help the PGR welcome the Veterans.
The busses will start loading at 4:00 pm with a scheduled departure at 4:15pm and arrival at the Stadium at about 4:30. Our Honor Mission ends when the Veterans have entered the museum.
OMAHA AREA RIDERS: STAGE LOCATION: Flying J Travel Plaza - Gretna exit 432 - I-80 and Hiway 31 TIMES: Stage: 2PM Riders meeting 2:20 Clutches out: 2:30pm
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Bob Ellis
USN 80-86
In Memory of Ed "OldIron" Barrett
"Remember that no matter how many missions you have been on, all that matters to the family is the one you are on today." ~ Roert
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Jasper54
Posts: 6316
Columbus, Ohio
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| 04 Jul 2008 10:10 PM |
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| Thank you Veterans of WWII for answering the Call-to-Arms and defending our nations freedom in the hour of her greatest need. God Bless you all. |
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For I am persuaded that neither death nor life, nor angels nor principalities nor powers, nor things present nor things to come, nor height nor depth , nor any other created thing , shall be able to separate us from the love of God which is in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Romans 8:38-39.
Visit me at: www.MySpace.com/ChaplainRoger
GySgt. Roger Casto, U.S.M.C. Ret. 1972-1992
Iran/Iraq War Veteran 1988 (Op Earnest Will)
Veteran of Foriegn Wars, Life Member
Double Blue Star Dad
El Shaddai Ministries Chaplain
Riding in honor of:
Sgt. Millard Archy, USA, WWI, France; Sgt. John Meyer, USA WWI, France; Sgt. Alva Pete Osborn, USA, WWII, KIA - France; Seaman Bob Schneider, USN, WWII, Purple Heart; Battle of Leyte Gulf; T/Sgt. Russell Casto, USAF Congo Revolution, Viet Nam; Sgt. Ron Casto, USMC C.A.P. Viet Nam; Sgt. Sean Casto, TennANG. Iraq War; Spc. Angela West, USA; SrA Micah Burgess, USAF, Afghanistan.
In Honor and Memory of Ten HMLA-267, MAG-39 Marines who Answered the call and made the ULTIMATE SACRAFICE while ensuring the safety and security of our nation:
Lt. Col. Knott, Capt. Dillon, Capt. Dolvin, Capt. Hurley, Capt. Cronin, Sgt. Kilkus, Sgt. Keller, Cpl. Romei, LCpl. Adams, Cpl. Monahan,
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mailman
Posts: 12907
West Branch, MI - Michigan Regional Ride Captain Zephyrhills, FL - Florida Senior Ride Captain
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| 05 Jul 2008 6:11 PM |
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| Thank You to all the WWII Veterans making this journey to visit your Memorial. The entire free world is gratefull for your service. God Bless You!! |
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"Eyes on the olive branch, but arrows at the ready."
Jim
"mailman"
US Army 1970 - 1972 |
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sknudsen
Posts: 152
Omaha Nebraska
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| 07 Jul 2008 8:00 PM |
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Great Mission and we almost missed the rain! Nearly 40 PGR Riders honored the 120 WWII Veterans with an escort from their hotel to Memorial Stadium where they stepped off their buses into a sea of flags. Thanks to Chuck Fattig for leading the escort, RC Dave Duensing for helping to set up the flag line, Assistant RC Mike Fisher for manning the flag trailer, Herb Anderson for spotting the flag trailer, icing the water and retrieving the flag trailer after the mission. And thank you in advance to Herbs daughters for drying the flags for us.
Considering the long holiday weekend, the threatening weather and being in the middle of a work day at the beginning of the work week, we had more riders than anticipated. A BIG THANK YOU to each and everyone of you !
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At your service,
Scott Knudsen
Nebraska State Captain
jscottknudsen@hotmail.com
402-680-7598
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sknudsen
Posts: 152
Omaha Nebraska
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| 07 Jul 2008 10:33 PM |
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Oh yeah........I almost forgot. Our fantastic PGR State Photographer, DAVE BUELL! Thank you very much Dave.
Bill Williams is working on yet another Heartland Honor Flight to leave from Omaha in September. He told me today that he has recieved dozens and dozens of Thank you notes from the WWII Veterans that were on the first flight that left from Omaha and just about every one of them mentions their M/C escort and the glorious flag line. |
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At your service,
Scott Knudsen
Nebraska State Captain
jscottknudsen@hotmail.com
402-680-7598
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sknudsen
Posts: 152
Omaha Nebraska
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| 08 Jul 2008 6:16 AM |
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Dinner honors World War II veterans
Tuesday, Jul 08, 2008 - 12:33:20 am CDT
United States flags lined the walkway outside Memorial Stadium Monday when three tour buses pulled up.
Escorted by Patriot Guard Riders, the passengers emerged wearing red, some using canes, some sitting in wheel chairs, all with smiles.
These quiet heroes, who performed on a field of battle with stakes much higher than football, went inside for a dinner in their honor. It was the official kick-off event for the second Heartland Honor Flight.
View SlideshowWorld War II veteran Warren Hronek of Norfolk and his daughter Janis Smith of Lincoln check their camera after taking pictures with Husker athletic director Tom Osborne as others snap away at Memorial Stadium. (Robert Becker)
World War II veterans who want to put their name on the waiting list may apply by calling the VFW office in Lincoln or applying online at www.honorflight.org
Flight organizers encourage people to send off or welcome back the WWII veterans on Tuesday. Spots will be reserved for the public at the Lincoln Airport. The charter flight leaves at 5 a.m. and returns at 10 p.m. “I think it’s the greatest thing I’ve ever heard of,” said Wendell Ringland, 87, of Bennet, who served with the U.S. Merchant Marine during the war. “I think it’s great the veterans get to go.”
A total of 120 Nebraska veterans will fly on a private charter to Washington, D.C., Tuesday to see the National World War II Memorial. They also will visit the Marine Corps War Memorial and see the changing of the guard at the Tomb of the Unknowns before returning to Lincoln.
The estimated $83,000 in ground and air transportation costs will be paid for by private donations raised by the Nebraska Veterans of Foreign Wars in Lincoln and organizers Bill and Evonne Williams of Omaha.
The first flight sent 102 veterans to the nation’s capital. At least 800 more World War II veterans remain on the waiting list, Bill Williams said Monday.
The dinner at the West Stadium Club offered a chance for the state of Nebraska to show appreciation, said Gov. Dave Heinemann, who studied the battles of World War II while attending West Point Military Academy.
“What you did was absolutely incredible and what it meant to our country, and really, the world,” he said.
Mayor Chris Beutler told the veterans he felt humbled to be in their presence. He urged Americans who followed the World War II veterans to learn about and remember the sacrifices made by the greatest generation.
“Look around the room tonight,” he said, “you’re sitting among heroes.”
The Honor Flight Network began in Ohio as a way to get aging World War II veterans to see the memorial built in their honor. The $174 million memorial to the 16 million Americans who served in the war was completed in 2004.
What began as a modest effort to send one flight from Nebraska has gained momentum. John Liebsack, adjutant quartermaster for the Nebraska VFW, said Monday that $620,000 has been donated. Organizers are already planning a third flight for September and believe they have enough for four more flights.
Bill Williams, a sales representative for a school design firm, said time is a greater challenge than money. In recent days, several veterans who were scheduled to go on Tuesday’s flight had to cancel because of health problems. At least one of the veterans on the flight list died before the trip.
On Monday, the veterans who gathered at Memorial Stadium weren’t thinking in the least about health problems. They were just excited to be going to Washington.
“I can’t wait,” said Ivan Dunse, 84, of Ohiowa, who served in the Army Air Corps.
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At your service,
Scott Knudsen
Nebraska State Captain
jscottknudsen@hotmail.com
402-680-7598
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Diane Collins
Posts: 13
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| 08 Jul 2008 9:25 AM |
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Thank-you so much to all of my fellow PGR members who showed up to support our WW II Veteran's in Lincoln. NE on 07-07-08. I am very proud to say I am one of the daughters of one of the Veteran's who was so fortunate to go on this trip. My father initially wasn't too excited about going but I think I convinced him to do so! He was getting more excited about it as the days grew closer. I can't wait to talk to him tomorrow about his trip! I would also like to Thank Mr. and Mrs. Williams for all they did to make this happen. As we all know, these Veteran's did not receive much or any of a "welcome home" at all which is so unfortunate. I am so very proud of my dad and all of the other Veteran's. It is because of their (and all other soldiers past and currently serving) sacrifices that we have all of the freedoms we do today. Thank-you to all of our Veteran's.
Diane L. Collins-daugher of WW II Veteran and wife of Air Force Veteran
Grand Island, NE |
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sknudsen
Posts: 152
Omaha Nebraska
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| 09 Jul 2008 11:34 PM |
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WWII Veteran On Honor Flight Dies On Way Back To Lincoln
POSTED: 4:39 pm CDT July 9, 2008
UPDATED: 8:33 pm CDT July 9, 2008
LINCOLN, Neb. -- A World War II veteran who flew to Washington, D.C., on Tuesday to see the monument that honors his generation died on the plane ride home.
Don Dragoo, 91, was on the latest Honor Flight to the World War II Memorial on the National Mall. Dragoo spent Tuesday with his daughter and about 120 other veterans in Washington.
His daughter, Cindy Slone, said Dragoo died on the plane ride back.
Slone said she's grateful she was able to be with her dad, especially on a day she said he'd been looking forward to since May.
"When he'd start talking about this, he would just light up. There was no doubt this was very important to him -- maybe it was a last wish," Slone said. "He never mentioned it that way, he just had this on his great to-do list."
Slone said her father was always proud of his military service and how it changed his life. She will always have fond memories of their last day together.
"It was a gift to me because normally, a daughter doesn't get to spend the last 24 hours with her parent in such a grand fashion."
Slone said her father's health had been failing for a few months and he'd been in and out of the hospital 5 times. He was too sick to make the trip on the first Honor Flight in May. But his health improved and he attended his granddaughter's wedding last week.
"If you're going to go out, this is the way to go, because you finally had this last wish," Slone said.
Slone said she's grateful for the people who put the Honor Flights together and hopes other World War II veterans get to experience what her father did.
"He was trying not to be boastful and that's the way these men were," she said. "They gave a lot more than anyone ever imagined. They raised the bar pretty high for us all." |
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At your service,
Scott Knudsen
Nebraska State Captain
jscottknudsen@hotmail.com
402-680-7598
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