Patriot Guard Riders:

This is the Final Itinerary for the Patriot Guard Mission (Phase One),  to Escort and Welcome Home  Sgt Louis N. Romano, U.S. Army National Guard, of Bluefield, WV, who was severely wounded by an insurgent sniper while deployed to Kandahar, Afghanistan on October 27^th, 2007, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom, Global War on Terrorism.  Sgt Romano was attached to South Carolina’s 1-263^rd Army National Guard and for the past year attached to Walter Reed Army Medical Center, recuperating from his combat wounds. This “PONY EXPRESS Mission” is a GO; All contacts have been made. Staging date and times are good to go.

Welcome Home / Pony Express (Final Destination) - Thursday, October 9^th, 2008 at 09:00. Camp Pendleton Army National Guard Armory, Virginia Beach, VA  to Bluefield, West Virginia. This will be a multi-state and district Mission shared by Virginian Districts 2, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 as well as a Ride Contingent from the State of West Virginia.

Ride Captain: Your Lead Ride Captain for this mission is Pat Hanifin, of West Virginia and overall LEAD Coordinator. Pat can be reached on his cell at 304-673-9780. Ride Captain for First Leg/segment is Johnnie “Dliqnt” George, Co Ride Captain is Woody “Rustpicker” Wagner; 2^nd Leg/segment Ride Captain is to be determined; Third Leg / segment is David “Silverback” Sloan;   Fourth/Final Leg / Segment Ride Captain is Pat Hanifin.  Tail Gunner will be assigned.

Weather: The current weather forecast for Thursday across the Commonwealth of Virginia is scattered showers. Highs in the uppers 70s.  Dress  appropriately for cool and possible wet weather,  Iron Horses if you can. Flag rigged to bikes would be great. If you’re not on your bike, cages are welcome.

Staging – Pickup Sites and Times (approximate for Pickup sites) –  Thursday, October 9^th,2008. 08:00 – 09:00, (1)Point Alpha - Virginia National Guard Armory Parking Lot, South Birdneck Rd across from Charnell Drive, Virginia Beach, VA. We will Stage at 08:00 until 09:00.  Mission Brief will commence at 08:30.  At approximately 08:50, two Riders and the Senior District Ride Captain will Access the Base, proceed to the CBWTU on Bravo Street, and escort the honoree off post to Point Alpha. Map Link:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=Birdneck+Rd+and+Charnell+Dr,+Virginia+Beach,+VA+23451&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=title

 (2) Pick up Point Bravo -  Exit 205 – I-64 Quinton, VA. Approximately 10:30  Richmond Crew Escort and Gas Stop. Map Link is of general area of Exit  205: http://www.mapquest.com/maps/map.adp?address=2580+New+Kent+Highway&city=Quinton&state=VA&zipcode=23141&country=US&cid=lfmaplink

(3) Pick up Point Charlie – Exit 120 – I-64 ; Exxon Gas Station 1154 5^th Street SW, Charlottesville, VA 22902.  Approximately 12:00.  Charlottesville Crew Escort, Gas.

Ensure Chow before Richmond Crew arrival.  Map Link to Exxon:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=1154+5th+St+SW,+Charlottesville,+VA+22902&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=title

(4) Pickup Point Delta -  Exit 24 - I-64; 504 W Ridgeway Street, Clifton Forge, VA. Approximately 14:30-15:00. West Virginia Crew Escort and Gas Stop. Map Link of Clifton Forge, VA:

http://maps.google.com/maps?hl=en&q=504+W+Ridgeway+St+Clifton+Forge,+VA+24422&um=1&ie=UTF-8&sa=X&oi=geocode_result&resnum=1&ct=title  Clifton Forge, VA

(5) Final Destination: Bluefield, West Virginia (Welcome Home Parade) – Approximately 16:30 -17:00.

Provisions:

• The ride formation will adhere to 1.5 to 2 second intervals for motorcycles in a staggering ride formation. 4-wheeled vehicles (car, trucks, etc.) will follow Honoree’s Jeep and one (1) motorcycle will provide Tail Gunner (Sweeper) position. No PGR riders will depart before the Ride Captain gives the signal to “roll.” 
• Bikes will be rigged for Honor Escort.  Ensure mounted and rigged 3x5 US flags will sustain interstate and highway speeds of in excess of 65 Mph.
• For riders /drivers unable to arrive at Staging and/or Pickup Points (Bravo thru Delta) at scheduled departure time(s); you may pick up the PGR contingent en-route at the following pickup points, will proceed to catch up and/or join the Escort procession. Please approach the formation Cautiously, and safely signal the Tail Gunner.  The Tail Gunner will control your access into the ride formation by dropping back to allow you safe passage into the ride formation ONE AT A TIME (if more than one rider).  SAFETY is the Catch phrase. 

Ride Protocol:

1. Bikes            -  Large (3’X5’) U.S. Flags Rigged for Honor Ride.

                               -  Smaller U.S. Flags Rigged for Honor Ride.

-  No Flags for Honor Ride.

2. Autos           -  Same Flag/No Flag order same as above.

Please remember that our mission is to ensure this Soldier is escorted home to West Virginia , and to celebrate his service and sacrifice as we salute this returning Soldier and Wounded Warrior for his Military Service.

Pony Express Ride Captains:

Johnnie “Dliqnt” George (Hampton Rds, VA)

Woody “Rustpicker” Wagner (Hampton Rds, VA)

David “Silverback” Sloan (Culpepper / ANC, VA)

Robbie Smart (Fredericksburg, VA)

Pat Hanifin (Southern West Virginia)

Virginia State Captain:

Tony “Double T” Turner

West Virginia State Captain:

Joe Cumblidge