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Patriot Guard Riders Forum
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Wescoot2 
Posts: 2885
Park Ridge, Illinois
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| 16 Jun 2006 8:13 AM |
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A military unit is returning from Iraq next week. There is an organizing of motorcyclists to line the highway along Route 119 to Route 31 in Pennsylvania, close to the PA and WV border.
The Armory has stated the soldiers are in the states now and are going through de-briefing and they will be coming home on either Tuesday the 20th or Wednesday the 21st, in the late afternoon or early evening. The soldiers will be getting off the turnpike at the New Stanton exit and motorcycles are to line up on the side of the road there. Bikes are to be spaced apart about 100 feet or so. If the soldiers come in on Tuesday that is the day of the Mt. Pleasant Firemen’s Carnival/Parade. The firemen will lead the buses to the armory in Mt. Pleasant with the bikes following behind. If they come home on Wednesday the bikes will lead them on Route 119 to the armory.
PLEASE STAND BY for further updates. Ride captains are working to coordinate with the organizer.
We are requesting any Patriot Guard Riders in the region who are available to please come participate to show our support for our returning troops!
Rick Gifford
WV State Captain
Patriot Guard Riders
"Riding With Respect"
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X-Y-Z (you figure it out - Get out your Captain Video Decoder Ring )
Home 847-698-7383
Cell 847-217-1862
If your gonna be One.....Be a BIG RED ONE
**Truth - You Can't Handle the TRUTH** |
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ultraclassic
Posts: 1967
Proctor, WV
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| 17 Jun 2006 5:27 AM |
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Additional information on this special mission; this unit is with the Pennsylvania Army Reserves, HHC 1st 110th Army, based in Mt. Pleasant, PA. They have been deployed in Iraq for approximately 19 months and while I understand they did suffer some casualties, it is unclear at this time whether this includes KIA or not. While getting concrete information from the PIO at the armory is very difficult, latest info indicates there arrival could be as early as Monday, 19 June. This was received from the Mother of a soldier who had called to state he'd see her on Monday.
The organizer of this ride has requested a 'missing rider' formation to lead these troops along the parade route. Logistics for this will have to be worked out on the day of the ride. There is a Sheetz station located just off the New Stanton exit of the PA Turnpike that can be used as a staging/meeting area for all who may be attending.
Keep an eye here and on the West Virginia Forum page for further updates as they are received. This ride woud be a welcomed respite from our usual missions and these brave men and women deserve all the support we can show them.
Joe Cumblidge
RC Northern WV |
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"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." Elmer Davis
Joe Cumblidge
West Virginia State Captain
UOV HOG Chapter
RM1 USCG 1969-78
(304) 455-4036 - Home
(304) 588-1278 - Cell
www.wvpatriotguard.org
In Memory of the crew of HU16E CGNR 2123, lost on SAR mission off Corpus Christi, TX on 21 September 1973:
LCDR Francis W. Miller (CG Aviator #1164)
LTJG Jerald M. Mack (CG Aviator #1567)
AD1 Harold D. Brown, Jr.
AM2 Benjamin R. Gaskins, Jr.
AT2 John F. Harrison
AT2 John P. Pledger
Montani semper liberi (Mountaineers are always free)
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ultraclassic
Posts: 1967
Proctor, WV
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| 18 Jun 2006 9:12 PM |
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Sorry for the late notice but just received word the troops will be arriving TOMORROW (Monday). Scheduled to arrive in Pittsburgh @ 2:00 PM, arriving in the New Stanton area between 3:45-4:15. Motorcyclists are requested to escort them to the armory in Mt. Pleasant, PA.
Anyone able to participate in this celebration should meet on U.S. 119S at New Stanton. There will be a Ford Explorer parked along the berm and riders should line up beyond this. The lady who is requesting/organizing this is Pat Gross.
PLEASE, if you're able to attend, let me know at wvugo@highstream.net. I'll be leaving WV, picking up I-70 in Wheeling, WV and proceeding to New Stanton on that route. Will be leaving home NLT 1:00 P.M.
This is a ride we should all make an effort to make to show our support to these brave men and women.
Joe Cumblidge
RC Northern WV |
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"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." Elmer Davis
Joe Cumblidge
West Virginia State Captain
UOV HOG Chapter
RM1 USCG 1969-78
(304) 455-4036 - Home
(304) 588-1278 - Cell
www.wvpatriotguard.org
In Memory of the crew of HU16E CGNR 2123, lost on SAR mission off Corpus Christi, TX on 21 September 1973:
LCDR Francis W. Miller (CG Aviator #1164)
LTJG Jerald M. Mack (CG Aviator #1567)
AD1 Harold D. Brown, Jr.
AM2 Benjamin R. Gaskins, Jr.
AT2 John F. Harrison
AT2 John P. Pledger
Montani semper liberi (Mountaineers are always free)
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ron1ok
Posts: 594
Triadelphia WV
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| 19 Jun 2006 4:10 AM |
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Joe,
Let me know what time you'll be in the Wheeling area. I'm going to work and try to work 1/2 day. I'll be at the weigh station near Elm Grove if I'm able to make it. Just let me know an approximate time.
Ron J. |
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Ron Jones USMC '74 to '78
WV ASC North
WV RC
724 825 - 3553 |
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ultraclassic
Posts: 1967
Proctor, WV
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| 20 Jun 2006 7:29 AM |
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I don't know if filing a report for this type 'mission' is needed here but I felt I must take a few minutes to relate the incredible feeling that came with taking part in this ride.
Initially I believed there to be approximately 75 riders present along U.S. 119 in New Stanton, PA but now think the number was much closer to 100. We arrived about 2:15, anxiously awaiting the arrival of these brave soldiers, all the time watch numerous other riders continually pull alongside the road. As this is an extremely busy section of highway, we had to be cautious with the approaching traffic but the vast majority of those passing by were extremely courteous and very appreciative of our efforts as evidenced by the continual horn blowing from both sides of the road. Counted among those awaiting the troops arrival were three very young looking Army Reservists attached to this unit, two of whom had been wounded in combat. One of these, a young 19 year old who had sustained very serious injuries, was there to also welcome home his Father and Brother from their 19 month tour. How his Father managed to cope with his injuries is totally beyond all my comprehension for I learned that, in his capacity of working in the dispensary in Baghdad, he was the first person to see/treat his son after he was injured. Thankfully, he made a full and complete recovery.
Also included in the group of riders were, at least, 4 PGR members; one man and his wife who's names escape me at the moment, Frank from Erie and Ron from Triadelphia, WV. Many, many Veterans from past conflicts were present including those from Korea and Nam, all of whom stated they were there simply to give to these brave soldiers the thanks they had not received themselves. As an example of the dedication that was shown, one of these Vets had 3 ruptured discs, a pacemaker and was recently diagnosed with leukemia. Standing in the sun was something he was not supposed to be doing, yet he stood the entire 2 hours awaiting their arrival just to show his thanks.
After a two hour wait, for Ron and me anyway, we got the word the bus was approaching 119 from the PA Turnpike. They were being escorted by an officer of the PA State Police and 5 motorcyclists. We had been told by another trooper that once they entered 119 there would be another officer there to warn traffic that 'something was going on', but unfortunately, none was visible. Trying to get approximately 100 riders, not to mention those present in cages, in line behind the bus while also being wary of 3 lanes of traffic going in the same direction was a little tricky to say the least but after some maneuvering to block traffic, temporarily, it did go off with little trouble.
We proceeded down 119 to Route 31 and the sight there was totally awesome. The number of VFD vehicles present at this intersection was too great to count. Mt. Pleasant VFD picked up the lead and the remainder fell in behind all the riders/cages for the short journey into and through town. Ladies and gentlemen, words absolutely cannot describe the sight as we proceeded through Mt. Pleasant to the armory. Signs and flags were everywhere, people lining the streets as we progressed, all waving, giving the thumbs up, some saluting and all yelling. All oncoming traffic pulled off to the side as we passed, also showing their appreciation. While I can only speak for myself here, I felt a little 'out of place' for these patriotic Americans were cheering, waving and saluting ME! While I fully understood their appreciation for our presence, I felt those gestures should have been reserved for the true heros, sitting on that bus, with thousands of thoughts running through their heads. As tail gunner for this parade, to me it gives new meaning to 'shock and awe'. Upon arrival at the armory we were party to a fantastic 'Welcome Home' celebration these heros were receiving from friends, family and regular 'Joes'. Most all of us made our way through the throngs of people present, quietly seeking out these brave soldiers to give a heartfelt 'Thank You; Welcome Home'. Almost to a man, THEY thanked US!!
While attending many missions for the PGR, to date, I can honestly say I was totally moved in a way I hadn't felt before. The joy I felt just seeing these soldiers being greeted by their friends and loved ones, knowing each and every one had a higher power watching over them for the past 19 months is something I had yet to experience. I am extremely hopeful I have the opportunity to experience it again and again. Many, many thanks and kudos to Pat Gross for her efforts to organize this ride and for all the riders, PGR members or not, who made this a tremendous success. |
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"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." Elmer Davis
Joe Cumblidge
West Virginia State Captain
UOV HOG Chapter
RM1 USCG 1969-78
(304) 455-4036 - Home
(304) 588-1278 - Cell
www.wvpatriotguard.org
In Memory of the crew of HU16E CGNR 2123, lost on SAR mission off Corpus Christi, TX on 21 September 1973:
LCDR Francis W. Miller (CG Aviator #1164)
LTJG Jerald M. Mack (CG Aviator #1567)
AD1 Harold D. Brown, Jr.
AM2 Benjamin R. Gaskins, Jr.
AT2 John F. Harrison
AT2 John P. Pledger
Montani semper liberi (Mountaineers are always free)
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nurse
Posts: 2407
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| 20 Jun 2006 8:04 AM |
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| I would like to say "thank-you" to all these fine men/women who served.I'd been e-mailing a female soldier from southern Indiana, the last few months.She informed me there were 3 from southern Indiana with this group, so I'm glad to see they're all home, to the U.S.A. Thanks to all for all their hard work, dedication, sacrifices, for all of us. We wouldn't be the proud and free nation we are today without each generation's sacrifice and love of our great country. |
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JoeCruiser
Posts: 89
Mount Laurel, NJ
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| 21 Jun 2006 7:08 AM |
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Ultraclassic
Thank you for taking the time to so eloquently describing your experience on this mission. I couldn't be there but this was the next best think. I'm glad that everyone came out and displayed their appreciation to the troops. They deserve that and much more for their personal sacrifices and bravery.
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Joe Messier
USN Retired 1961 -1983 |
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