Mission Report HOTH Florida-Mission, Nov 11,  2006 in Panama City (Bay County) Florida!

 What a Great Veterans day we had in Panama City Florida. I awoke to so many emotions it's hard to describe them all, I thought of Brother-in Law Joey (KIA in Vietnam), My Dad and Uncles (WWII), My Grandfather (WWI) and several close friends who were KIA in Vietnam. I also, thought of all the PGR missions going on in Florida and around the USA. I started telling myself snap out of it, get moving you've got a mission here to take care of. Then I remembered telling  a PGR member we will all be riding together this day just in different places.

 Panama City Police department provide a escort to the Parade Staging area. The Parade went off with out any major problems. On this mission I wanted to make sure we honor the Veterans that rode with us by affording them the opportunity to ride up front, they all refused and were mixed the everyone else. We were also honored by having several active duty servicemen ( Desert Storm & Iraq war Veterans) riding with us. They indicated they will all be members soon. We were also honored to have several members of the White Sands ABATE of Florida. As we rode in a tight formation thru the center of town, we saw Veterans from WWII, Korea, Desert Storm, Iraq and Afghanistan along the parade route.  They would stand and salute us as we passed by while we thanked them for their service to our great country. Seeing all the families that brought their children with little American Flags - they were so excited to see us and knowing somehow that they are the future generation that will carry on the tradition of Veterans Day.  Sneakysnake Grandson was there standing at attention and saluting the PGR as we passed. Watching a cripple Veteran in a tatter uniform walking the entire parade so proudly with use of two canes was reminder of the Pride Veterans have.

 The ceremony at the end of this years parade honored Vietnam Veterans, Judge Hess a helicopter (Huey's) pilot in Vietnam was the guest speaker. He set the record straight on the Vietnam War. With little time to prepare the PGR team and our guest quickly formed a flag line in two columns. We proceed to the reviewing stand and waited for our queue to move into position for the wreath laying ceremony. With great precision we positioned ourselves between the reviewing stand and the Veterans Memorial at the base of a large American Flag. The flag line was great and everyone performed with military precision. Mrs. Wright with escorts place a wreath in honor of her husband Sgt Wright who served a tour during the Korean War and two tours in Vietnam where he was KIA. The Flag line held fast at attention, providing the Honor and Respect to Fallen Heron and his family. Mrs. Wright told me it was the greatest honor her husband had ever received. It's never too late to show Honor and Respect to a Fallen Hero.

 As we prepared to saddle up for the second part of our  Veterans Day mission.  We were joined by the American Legion Riders from Post 356 Lynn Haven Florida and the American Legion Train from Atlanta Georgia to join with us in honoring the Veterans residing at the Sims Veterans Home. Then I was informed that we had lost our police escort to the Sims Veterans Home. We adjusted our plan and moved out without a hitch. After a safe ride to Tram road a short distance from the Veterans Home we reformed, adding the Legion Riders and the Legion Train. We created a Parade just for the residents, their families and the staff. If you could have seen their faces. Well just let me say it made my day at this point.  We parked and got our flags ready, quickly formed a flag line in two columns for these proud Veterans. The Director of Activities announced the name of each of these Veterans and they passed thru the line. PGR members saluted them, shook their hands, thanked them for their service. It was awesome to say the least. They were in wheel chairs, one was pushed thru the flag line in a bed, some walk with assistance and some went thru the line several times.

 There are several Veterans residents that were unable to make it outside and were restricted to their rooms. Sneakysnake, his wife Gail, Iceman and myself made a point o visit each any everyone we could. Each one was so appreciative that anyone would take the time to stop in and thank them.

The PGR had made arrangements to feed the residents, staff and all of us. Very Special thanks to Brown and Brown for the monetary donation for the food and beverages. To Prosperity Bank for cooking, and serving everyone with a smile. To Kelly Hundly and the Healers Blues band for providing the music for free.

Finally, I personally want to thank all of our PGR Brothers and Sisters from Florida and Alabama, White Sands Chapter of ABATE of Florida, Legion Riders and American Legion Train, Panama City Police Department, you all made many Veterans a very happy this Veterans Day. To Sneakysnake and Ben you made it all look easy!

Shaman, GG, and I left early for the initial staging area. We were dealing with the usual pre-mission jitters.  There were already members present when we arrived. This is always a good sign. It wasn’t long before the parking lot was full. Shaman conducted the pre-ride briefing informing all of the planned events for the day. Bubba closed it out with prayer.

All I can add to the parade portion is that the majority of bikes were displaying PGR windshield banners and 3x5 Flags. This was truly an awesome site in itself.

The Shaman acquired the permit early so we were near the front of the Parade. We were the first group of bikes that participated. This allowed us to arrive at the Marina early enough to have ample parking and get another briefing on this portion of the mission.

As we were in our Flag line for the ceremonial wreath laying, Taps was played by a lone bugler and ended with a flyover of  F-15’s from TAFB. This brought the usual emotions.

Some tears & certainly some pride & joy.

The Sims Veterans Home portion rounded out the day. I will reiterate the Shaman’s feelings. The look on these Veterans faces when we paraded through made the day for all who participated.

On October 25^th we had conducted an Honor Mission for PGR member Ric Steens dad. This was a short notice mission (less than 48 hrs.) so we didn’t have the plaque for presentation during the mission. Ric & his mother, Mrs. Steen were in attendance as Ssgt. Steen had been a resident at the Sims home. The Shaman, GG, Iceman, & Randall joined me in making the presentation of the plaque & mission posts to Mrs. Steen. This got the emotional roller coaster going. Mrs. Steen stated that this plaque will have a special place in her home. She again wanted to pass on her thanks to the entire PGR membership for what we do. She also indicated that our presence at her husband’s service was appreciated by the entire family and all who attended.

While we were inside visiting with the bedridden residents the Panama City Drum & Fife Corps walked each wing of the home playing their instruments. This was a special feat in itself as they had already marched in the Panama City & Callaway Veteran’s Day Parades.

The Activities Director asked that we make this an annual event.

A short time ago this type of event didn’t take place in Florida. I would encourage each & every member to visit a Veterans Home or hospital. You will make a profound difference in their lives as well as your own. It is the least we can do for our Veterans.

I am not going to wait & do it once a year. I pledge to visit at least once monthly. I hope y’all will commit to the same pledge. Please support our HOTH programs.

These events help the healing process for many people. I know of 4 individuals that participated in some part of the day’s events when previously they would have been unable to deal with the emotions of the day.

Anyway, time for thanks:

Thank you to the Shaman for putting all this together. These multi part missions are the most difficult to coordinate.

Thank you to Ben for doing the grocery shopping and cooking.

Thank you to Jeff for coordinating the volunteer labor from Prosperity Bank.

Thank you to Criss (cager) for getting our Flags from the marina to the Sims Home.

You all did an outstanding job.

Special Thanks to all the members & non members for your participation. Without you all the planning & preparation would be useless.

I’m PROUD to be associated with all of you.

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED.

I received the following e-mail from the President of the White Sands Chapter of ABATE of Florida and wanted to share it with all.