MISSION RIDE REPORT
PFC Brian Bradbury
St. Joseph, MO-White Cloud, KS
08 Jul 2006
On 08 Jul 2006, the Patriot Guard Riders and Kansas Patriot Guard gathered to honor Army Private First Class Brian Bradbury, killed in action in Afghanistan.
As I drove toward St. Joseph in the early morning hours, I saw Riders all along the route. Doc Peterson, Pete Robbins, Cliff Gardner, and Arch Angel brought in Riders from Kansas, Nebraska, and Northwest Missouri. We were joined by the Combat Veterans Motorcycle Association, the Leathernecks MC, American Legion Riders, the Boozefighters MC, Blue Knights MC, and Freedom of the Road Riders of Missouri. Riders and citizens from the three-state area joined us to honor this American hero, his family, and his community.
We had a great deal of support and help from the community of St. Joseph, particularly from: Chief Conally and the officers of the St. Joseph Police Department; Steve Dalton from Heaton, Bowman, Smith and Sidenfaden Chapel; Pastor Mike Ploen, Word of Life Church; CPT Swanson, US Army Casualty Assistance Officer- Fort Leavenworth; and the Commanders and members of American Legion Post 359 in St. Joseph, and Post 154 in White Cloud.
We had a good cadre of officers for this Mission Ride:
*Bill “Whirlwind” Richart, MO State Captain, who acted as my Public Information Officer
*Pete Robbins, Health and Safety Officer, ably assisted by Droptank Willie- thanks, men!
*Preacher Joe Fouquet, Chaplain and Cooler- keeping everyone’s focus on the Mission
*Eric “phedup” Rossiter, Ride Captain
*Doc Peterson, Ride Captain
*Cliff Hall, Ride Captain
*Cliff Gardner from ALR Post 400, Ride Leader and Guidon Bearer
*Kai from ALR Post 17, Ride Leader
*Kelly Brown from ALR Post 23, Assembly Area Officer. Kelly was formerly assigned to PFC Bradbury’s unit, the 10th Mountain Division in Ft. Drum, NY.
When I arived in St. Joseph, I reconned the route and the church. I knew from the Mission planning that the St. Joseph Police Department was prepared for disruptions, and had established a “protest area” across the road from the northeast corner of the church property. The protest area was 600 feet from the front of the church, separated by grass and trees, and by the church building itself from the mourners. Everything looked good, and I headed over to the Assembly Point.
When I arrived at Pony Express Post 359, I saw a dozen Riders had arrived early and were enjoying a fine breakfast prepared by the good people of the Post. We were prepared to pay for our food, but the Post gave us breakfast free of charge. Fortunately for me, Post 359 had plenty of coffee! I met our hosts, and thanked them for their support.
Our numbers quickly swelled above 200 motorcycles and two dozen cages, and we filled the parking lots of Post 359. At the Mission Briefing, I saw the faces of my family- old friends, new brothers and sisters, and the next generation of Riders. We met PFC Bradbury’s father-in-law and mother-in-law, and shared our care and concern with them to take back to Mrs. Bradbury and the rest of the family. Preacher Joe gave an inspiring prayer for us. Following our equipment check, the St. Joseph Police Department led us out on the ride to the church.
Word of Life Church provided parking all along the south side of their church. Whirlwind and Stretchnit provided flags on long poles for the Mission. We fell in with our flags along the drive leading from Riverside Drive to the south door of the church, and stood our posts. When Mrs. Bradbury arrived, we rendered honors to her and her family. We presented the PGR Memorial Plaque to Mrs. Bradbury, and offered our condolences.
The Captains and Ride Leaders walked the lines and talked to our Riders, and to the townspeople who joined us. After the funeral began, some Riders fell out to go to Kirksville or Lees Summit for other Mission Rides. More than 150 Riders stood fast for the duration of the Bradbury Mission, and more than 100 made the Escort Ride from Word of Life Church to the cemetery at White Cloud, KS.
As the funeral procession made its way westward on US Highway 36, a flight of P-51 Mustangs passed overhead. They circled, then overflew us in the "Missing Man" formation, and I had to wipe a tear or two from my eyes. People pulled to the shoulder of the road as we passed by, and some people came from inside their homes to watch. As we rode through White Cloud, townspeople lined the streets and waved flags. I know I said "Thank you" fifty times as we rolled through town.
The burial service was beautiful. We joined the family, community, and military mourners in a loose circle around the casket. Indian drummers and chanters elevated PFC Bradbury's spirit, and sent him to the Afterlife in the tradition of his people. Soldiers with combat unit patches stood by bikers with the same patches on our ride vests, and exchanged "the look". We again offered Mrs. Bradbury and her family our condolences, and rode out from the cemetery. American Legion Post 154 in White Cloud hosted us for cold drinks and a snack before we departed.
Our Riders left White Cloud in small groups, and one at a time. I stood outside the Legion hall and smoked my post-Mission cigar; I thought about the good men and women of the Patriot Guard Riders and Kansas Patriot Guard who ride together, and stand together for total strangers, because it is the right thing to do. You make me proud, Riders; every one of you make me proud. I salute you.
Knees in the breeze,
Big Dog out. |