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Patriot Guard Riders Forum
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dk2onion 
Posts: 0
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| 04 Jun 2006 5:31 AM |
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Truely an honor to be able to mingle with the troops!! As it has been said already, these guys were thanking us!!! For what, riding our bikes, showing a little respect?? Yeah well, let's put it in perspective....I was Thanking any of them that would listen to me...( I know its hard to beileve I was talking)...Great to see you all today, even if I saw most of you when I was departing. Wished I could have stayed for the whole ride, but we all do what we can.....Thank you all for what you do....
To all our troops, Be safe....
Onion
P.S. Hey Oneguy, Yes my blinker was on, I was saying goodbye to Blinky!!!! |
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Against The Wind
Posts: 130
Batesville, IN
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| 04 Jun 2006 5:43 AM |
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Yes I was frustrated, maybe if I could have made the whole trip I would have felt better. Then again I probably would have felt like a father sending some one of his own off and got all teary eyed. So I am not stepping on anyones toes. Yes this was a hard mission to stay together with all the freeway traffic. Bottom line is the results were accomplished and no one got hurt. I am happy everyone is safe! I'd do it again.
Next week is vacay starting Wednesday. Green Bay bound to the "Thunda On The Tundra Rally". Yes I know more freeway traffic..lol!! Don't worry I'll be safe and report back in when I get back. |
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There are good ships, and there are wood ships, the ships that sail the sea. But the best ships are friendships, and may they always be. |
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woodmaster
Posts: 356
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| 04 Jun 2006 6:53 AM |
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Good Morning,
Get your self a smoke and your coffee,this might take a minute.First I want to thank everyone from the bottom of my heart,SERIOUSLY !!!! It turned out to be a beautiful day as far as weather goes. We got our instructions in the morning from the local LEO and we were going to run the left lane all the way to the state line,Ha Ha I dont think we ever got into the hammer lane but once and that was my fault because I was following the LEO that gave us our instruction in the AM. Well it turned out that the state LEO decided to show up when they were not going to, I dont know if I screwed up or they were having some conversation between cars and things had changed again or what,anyhow, no biggy. I do thank them for the support that we got. I know the transition we went through going from escorted to being on our own in three lanes wide. I was looking in my mirror and all you could see for miles it seemed was bike lights,AWESOME then all of a sudden there was four of us left,my heart sank I though all kinds of things and not any of them were good,get my drift. But hey it was saturday afternoon and it was nice out I am sure they all had other things that they had to do,Grrrrr.my problem.
After all the bikes pulled off there must have been a heck of a gap and all us six just happened to be leading the pack,an honor I might add. Well it seems the Indiana PGR was filtering in or catching up as we were slowing looking for the busses I see headlights and there is more than the six. I pulled off at an exit to see if we could close the gap and maybe get back in front of the busses,low and behold I see some fellow PGR on the entrance ramp,I tear off to go see them and I cant remember who all was with me besides Nuggett if anyone. About the time I get the bike shut down so I could hear we see the busses, I couldnt get my bike going fast enough,yea I did.I pulled the front wheel grabbing second gear and back in formation with my main Man KROOZER. Grinnin, we were a few more strong and things were looking up. I do admit it was kind of a cluster muck but we were getting the point across and safely I might add,Its kinda tuff watching your mirrors and cagse on both sides and try to hold some sort of formation at 70 mph, but hey I didnt have a problem with it as long as I could keep an eye on the sides and them from closing in on us.
I dont know how many of you were with us when we got to fort wayne but it was a few and a DAMNED PROUD bunch it was.
Nugget was needing petrol so I decided to dart off with her we pulled to the side of the shoulder I wanted to see these busses i had been in front of all this way,Heck I hadnt even seen them and we have been a 150 miles.
I want to apoligize to everyone I screwed up on that deal and especially the fella that drives the triumph and I am real sure it wasnt Onion I just cant remeber names. I hope this didnt inconveinence anyone too much, SORRY !!!!
Well it turned out the darn exit we got of on wasnt any more than an industrial park to it looked like an auto plant of some sort,must be them new hybred cars because there wasnt any gas around.
Nuggett was trying to keep me cool she kinda senses when I get uptight and would like destroy something. Oh not to worry she said we can just go up here get gas and meet them where ever . OK but I am still pissed because I picked a hybred exit and we had to dilly dally around to find some push water. Hee Hee, Here is where the real fun begins my freinds. We get some gas and we are trying to navgate back to the highway I am getting a migrain and need food and all of a sudden Nuggett pulls up and says did you hear that? She knows I dont hear nothing I am deaf in one ear. So I position myself to be in the hearing zone.WTF like she said it sounds like a jet taking off.Well first of all I dont know squat about a lehman trike but it definetly is coming from the rear end,looks like I am going to get to eat now and I am not a drinking man but I am going to be just as soon as I can get my bick beaters around one. While in search of a shop that might be open past the noon hour on a saturday (whats up with that,start sunday early I figure) She pulls up beside me and says I have no brakes, they just went all the way to the floor ,talk about rubbing salt in a wound. Well we find this little hole in the wall bar /resturant that is open past noon and serves both food and drinks at the same place,Huh,who would have thunk,simply amazing and all on saturday.
I get my needs met and a half dozen pain pills to try and kill this migrain coming on,I venture out to the trike while she is in on the phone calling and pleading for someone to help but they must have had the same things to do everyone else was doing but the PGR. BLESS THE PGR
I discover I cannot get my fat arse under this thing to look at something I know nothing about anyway, we drove a few blocks and nothing was open must have went by ten different brake/muffler shops. We finally found a midas,open. woo hoo ! Well it seems they do their hiring from jerrys kids, nobody there has a jack,This is not happening I am thinking. They tell us where a auto parts store is,$70.00 later we have a jack and some tools and now we are getting someplace. Get the wheels off and as it seems the axle had shifted a bit and the belt was rubbing and in the process it snapped a brake line. This doesnt seem to bad we can get this going. Well the axle didnt just come loose as it apeared on one side the darn thing had broke two 3/4 inch steel bars off that it slides on to do adjustments,now what ? I put my afro engineering mind at work being as I used to own several shovel heads it was needed. I got the axle back in place and got some clamps on it,(some very tense moments I might add,I dont roll around on asphalt like I used too) and think I got it good enough to limp her home.
We pull out and rolling down the road and every thing seems ok , and as soon as we stop at the stop light the other side does the same thing.I just knew this was a dream.
We got it off the road into some park and I was getting ready to do my thing to the other side and a couple angels dropped in on us. They must have seen that death look in my eyes,me wanting to take a hot bath with a couple sharp razor blades.LOL
Luckly these two guys just got back from ROLLING THUNDER and were more than happy to help out they just lived about a mile away and had a welder. Off we went to their place and the one fella was real helpfull while the other kept the ice water coming. I dont know but probably an hour or two and we had it back in motion with everything welded up and the brake working and only a 150 miles between me and home and another 140 for her beyond that. Thankfully she had her son and a freind come to my house with trailer in tow and she made it home safe.
You HOOSIERS ROCK I love ya all like brothers and sisters, You turned a very somber and sad day for alot of familys into something that was possitive. I know the soldiers loved it and the familys as well. I had a mother come up to me in jackson and she was crying her eyes out and mumbling "my son is on one of them busses" (here I go tearing up) What do you say ? I just told her we were going to take them all the way to camp atterbury and we will pray that all of them come home so we can escort them back,that would be a truly satisfying mission. These send offs are not easy either. If you are still reading this THANKS FOR ALL YOU DO !!
PEACE
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PEACE
Larry Root
MIAP Coordinator |
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Jackstopp
Posts: 1318
Hartland, Michigan Ass't State Captain
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| 04 Jun 2006 7:19 AM |
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Gee Whiz (see Forum Guidelines) Larry and Debbie,
Sounds like a real fun trip since I know how patient and calm Larry is! Now I don’t feel so bad about the hailstorm I rode through. Thanks to the Indiana PGR for taking the "handoff" such as it was. Most of the Michigan contingent pulled off at the State Line and that left a big gap in the formation. I rode with Woodmaster, Nugget, and Shakr, to the Angola exit then bailed on them before the fun started.
I hope everyone else made it home OK from the send off for the National Guard unit from Jackson. What a great turnout by all of the biking community. I was at the front of the convoy behind Woodmaster and Nugget and I couldn’t see the end of the line of bikes in my mirrors! It was great to meet the people behind the screen names, Nugget (again), Tin, Shakr, Vic Porco, Red Pony, and my buddies Woodmaster, Kroozer, and John from Munith. John, we need to find you a handle, Bud. I got a little wet on the way home because I refused to stop and wrestle into my rain suit. Ran through some ¼" hail near Chelsea and got beat upon a little. 70 mph ice hurts! Got dried out from that then ran through another shower north of Ann Arbor. Was dry again by the time I got to the Pontiac Lake Inn to "stop for a pop".
Y’all Ride Safe,
JACK |
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Let all things be done decently and in order. 1 Cor. 14:40
USAF Air Weather Service (MAC) 68-72
Tan Son Nhut AB and Phan Rang AB, RVN '71
Michigan Assistant State Captain
Regional Ride Captain, Michigan Region #4
Director ALR Post #216, Milford, Michigan
VFW member |
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SirHailstone
Posts: 261
Indianapolis, IN
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| 04 Jun 2006 8:14 AM |
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woodmaster - just let us know when the 1461st is ready to go home - I'll be there at Atterbury to escort them home, even if I have to do it myself (which isn't likely right guys & gals?)
FWIW, it appears the PGR message is getting out to the masses. As I was riding north, just about the Chesterfield exit on I-69 an older lady was standing in the road with a "Call Police" sign .. so I pulled over and walked back to car thinking like her husband is in the passenger seat having a heart attack or something.. no she had a flat tire, so with the speed and efficency of a NASCAR pit crew (ha ha) I changed it. She asked if I was riding in Miracle Ride and I said no, I was with Patriot Guard. she said "Oh yes, you're the guys who do the escorts for solders' funerals." When she asked if there was a funeral around here I said no we are escorting a troop transport from Michigan to Atterbury. She just thought that what we do for the servicemen/women was very admirable. And with that I loaded her bad tire into the trunk and she was on her way, DNR rode up about that time and I flagged him down and we were off. |
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Republican. Patriot. Rider.
"We made a difference. We made the city stronger. We made the city freer, and we left her in good hands. All in all, not bad. Not bad at all" - President Ronald Reagan (1911-2004)
I wear a helmet when I ride because I *WANT* to not because I *HAVE* to.
Founding member of Republican Riders Motorcycle Riding Group |
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dirtbike
Posts: 1435
elkhart - michiana
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| 04 Jun 2006 8:22 AM |
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| Man that was fun. Well 6 of us INDIANA PGR picked up the convoy at the state line as planned, Dog hair, Sirhailstone, Buckwheat,Paul, and a couple others. Well we started down the ramp to merge, and there were like 200 bikes!!!! I gottta admit WE panicked a little, not knowing if we should merge or hang, so we hung, and wound up in back. BUT, the buses werent in formation at that point either! Then two miles up the road,the 200 bikes layoff on the side to wave. Pretty cool, but that was right when the one lane construction thing came up. Now we are REALLY staggered. Got past that and it was time to catch Larry and Nugget and the others b4 they ran out of gas, So a few of us put it on boogie and caught them. Did you know you cant hear a Street glide radio at 100 MPH? DISCLAIMER: Indiana PGR, does not condon breaking traffic laws. Any way we caught them and by the time Nugget ran out of gas we were pretty strong. Most of ya know the rest. Except I did hear that DNR's bike had some problems and he had to trailer home too. All an All, a great ride.with a great bunch of Patriots. The soldiers loved it!! It was a real Lovefest at Anderson! Thanks everyone. Looking forward to bringing these people home!! Respect, dirtbike |
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But.... These ARE my church clothes??? The only suit I own, is a rainsuit!!!
Riding in memory ... PFC Mike Synod 2n bn 5th Marines Panel 39w 005 |
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tin
Posts: 188
Jackson
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| 04 Jun 2006 8:23 AM |
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Oh man! Nugget.........I'm thinking of you! Sounds like you've had better day's. If ya will, PM me your snail
mail addy.....I have something I'd like to send to you.
Larry.......I did read all the way thru, and you're right.....the send off's are hard too. I wish we could have
made the ride all the way....sadly, that wasn't an option for us.
Jackstop.....I hate to think what hail stones feel like at hwy speed.....rain alone feels like it's rippin ya up.
It was really good meeting everyone and (as we say at the Marine Mom Online board......) getting some hugs
with skin on! I wish I could remember everyones names that I met, darn "oldtimers"........but I'm pretty
good at remembering faces.
kevin & I wondered about why we weren't running in the left lane. That could have saved alot of trouble
with the merging traffic. We were a ways back in the pack since I thought I'd have plenty of time to pay
rent on the soda I'd had.............we were smack in the middle of the MI Military Vets MC. I had spoken with
with their Chaplain, since he has training wheels like me. As we're riding near Coldwater, some numbnutz in
a cage runs him right off the road. Thank God his reflexes were good and no one was hurt. Lot's of one
finger salutes tho.
My thoughts and prayers are with those deploying and their families. |
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tin
PMM of LCpl Christopher
Home for now!
PM of Carly & Brekke too!
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woodmaster
Posts: 356
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| 04 Jun 2006 8:26 AM |
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Posted By SirHailstone on 06/04/2006 8:14 AM
woodmaster - just let us know when the 1461st is ready to go home - I'll be there at Atterbury to escort them home, even if I have to do it myself (which isn't likely right guys & gals?)
FWIW, it appears the PGR message is getting out to the masses. As I was riding north, just about the Chesterfield exit on I-69 an older lady was standing in the road with a "Call Police" sign .. so I pulled over and walked back to car thinking like her husband is in the passenger seat having a heart attack or something.. no she had a flat tire, so with the speed and efficency of a NASCAR pit crew (ha ha) I changed it. She asked if I was riding in Miracle Ride and I said no, I was with Patriot Guard. she said "Oh yes, you're the guys who do the escorts for solders' funerals." When she asked if there was a funeral around here I said no we are escorting a troop transport from Michigan to Atterbury. She just thought that what we do for the servicemen/women was very admirable. And with that I loaded her bad tire into the trunk and she was on her way, DNR rode up about that time and I flagged him down and we were off. You done all kinds of good things yesterday,do the police work after noon ? I can bet the police in michigan wouldnt change a tire. attaboys for ya all,now you know one oh poop and they are all gone.
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PEACE
Larry Root
MIAP Coordinator |
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Hugo
Posts: 144
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| 04 Jun 2006 9:08 AM |
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I wasn't able to make this mission - I had to work - but you and our troops were all on my mind as I was going about my day. After reading all of the posts, I am SO DAMN PROUD of you all and proud to be a part of the PGR family! I have been since the beginning, but the more members we have, and the more missions I go on and read about only confirms my belief that there are a lot of damn good people out there! This organization has given us the opportunity to express our patriotism and stand together as friends and neighbors as a Nation. We have always been out there as individuals, but now we're united as one - and we each serve as ambassadors to the PGR. I would love to meet and hug each and every one of you! Until I started meeting my new family, I used to think I was the only one who felt the way I do. Now I know that there are many thousands of us.
I hope this made sense - I'm not too good with words sometimes - especially when trying to write something while listening to patriotic music. It gets hard to see the keyboard. Thanks for letting me vent a little. I hope you understand what I was trying to say.
Gotta go - May God continue to Bless us all!!
Hugo |
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A Hug is a handshake from the Heart. |
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Chief_Investigator
Posts: 891
Asst IN State Capt
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| 04 Jun 2006 9:13 AM |
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First I need to say what an honor it was to lead these troops down I-69. It was a much greater honor having the chance to meet and shake many of their hands inside and outside the truck stop in Anderson. I know the troops appreciated our presence as much as we appreciated theirs. I wouldn't have traded yesterday for anything in the world.
My first intentions yesterday were to ride all the way to Camp Atterbury with the buses. When we stopped in Anderson so the soldiers could get out and grab a snack or two at the truck stop, I knew my time frame was being cut shorter. Even after leaving Anderson I thought I could make it all the way down to Atterbury, then make it all the way back North by 8PM, but time caught up with me and I had to pull off at the Southport Exit and turn around. I don't think anyone noticed because there were too many bikes a mile a head of me and the other bikes and buses were a half a mile behind me.
I know 465 can be a very treacherous road when attempting an escort like this, especially with the large turnout of bikes we had show up in Indiana. For this I commend all of you for your presence. But our problems of getting separated from the buses started occuring on I-69 shortly after we left Anderson. Myself and Sargntmoon rode as the last bikes, directly in front of the buses. We then noticed that everyone started getting separated somehow, as traffic flow seemed to increase, but I think our speed contributed to that, too. I apologize if I made anyone mad, but I attempted to catch up with several riders and motion for them to slow down, and try to stay together as a group. I finally was able to catch up with most of the riders in the lead group, but to no avail, as we became stretched out even farther it seemed.
I know when we left Anderson the buses said we needed to do 70 mph. With this many bikes, eight buses, and the increase of traffic flow the closer we got to Indianapolis... everyone in the middle and rear of the pack, along with the buses had a difficult time trying to maintain 70 mph and still maneuvre traffic. This resulted in the front group increasing their lead and everyone else becoming even more distanced between each other. It was bound to happen, but I think we could have stayed a little closer together than what we did. One thing we will all have to remember in the future is when we're escorting or riding together as a group, we MUST check our mirrors constantly and maintain EVEN spacing between bikes. I fully expected our bikes to stay in a tighter formation, especially upon hitting 465, and if not by then, at least when we started Southbound on 65. For this I take responsibility because I should have given specific ride instructions at the truck stop in Anderson. I guess I didn't do that because I never really considered myself the Ride Captain on this mission (nor was any other person assigned the actual Ride Captain responsibility), plus I didn't think I or anyone else needed to go around and give out instructions to anyone. I assumed we would all stay together for the most part. So again, I apologize. It won't happen again.
Please don't get me wrong, as I was most honored to ride yesterday and meet these soldiers. We were there for them even if it wasn't pretty. I would just like to see a better, more organized ride in the future if we ever do this again. And the reason I pulled off at Southport was that I needed to be home by 8PM as I had about 20 people meeting at my home at that time. I would have given anything to have gone on down to Atterbury, and possibly could have if I would have had the opportunity to change my previous commitment to 9 or 10PM. I'm glad to hear everyone gave them a proper send off upon reaching Camp Atterbury.
I hope we don't have to do this anymore, as we never want to see our troops being deployed under such circumstances, but if we do I will be very gracious and volunteer to ride in all such future missions. Yesterday was most memorable as I thoroughly enjoyed meeting over half of these soldiers... and even letting one ride my bike around the parking lot. I know he will think of that daily while he is away from home. I'm very proud Indiana picked up the ball and carried these Michigan troops all the way to Atterbury. You made these troops realize they are loved, honored, and respected. They needed that. |
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Ron Coleman "Chief"
U.S. Army Security Agency '73-'78
Member Blue Knights Law Enforcement MC - IN Chapter XIII
"If You Don't Stand Behind Our Troops, Please, Feel Free To Stand In Front Of Them!"
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dirtbike
Posts: 1435
elkhart - michiana
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| 04 Jun 2006 9:22 AM |
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| OK, Ill try this quick post again. I just want to say this..when we got to Atterbury,at least one full hour past the ETA. There were PGR members there with American flags flying, to show these people they cared too. And, they had trunks full of cold water and ice for any thirsy riders. Now, I ask you..... is this a great bunch of people or what.? Respect, dirtbike |
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But.... These ARE my church clothes??? The only suit I own, is a rainsuit!!!
Riding in memory ... PFC Mike Synod 2n bn 5th Marines Panel 39w 005 |
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dirtbike
Posts: 1435
elkhart - michiana
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| 04 Jun 2006 9:33 AM |
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| And one more thing ,(man I sure am perky today after riding 500 mi?), Hey Chief I know we werent pretty, so to speak, But you should have seen the 200 bikes from Michigan!!!.There were a lot of a of groups, Hogs, Marine riders, Vet riders, ect that had never ridden together either. Or tried to escort 6 staggered buses down 69 on a Saturday.and it showed. But ,they were there ,and, thats really all that matters. And it happened safely, but im REAL sure, That God had his hand in that part! LOL !! Respect, dirtbike |
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But.... These ARE my church clothes??? The only suit I own, is a rainsuit!!!
Riding in memory ... PFC Mike Synod 2n bn 5th Marines Panel 39w 005 |
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Fatboyfoust
Posts: 82
Avon, Indiana
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| 04 Jun 2006 10:19 AM |
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Just wanted to say thanks to everyone, regardless of what happen during the ride the soldiers appreciated the attention and they mentioned the fact more than once. I am just glad that I was able to be a part of this group and proud to be a member.
Thanks
Paul |
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Softtail96
Posts: 239
Indianapolis
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| 04 Jun 2006 10:56 AM |
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Chief, Against the Wind, I was one of the ones in the lead group. I think some of us got confused when the buses started to get separated. I think one of the buses went on without stopping in Anderson. This really got confusing. When we discovered that the rest of the group had pulled off, Against the Wind and I and one other guy(sorry I forgot your name) on a Ninja pulled over. We were already past the exit. WE would have come back but figured you would pass us going south. We decided to stay and wait then went on down to meet a couple of guys at the 22mm.
All in all, I was proud and most honored to be associated with this mission and will try to be present at future events. I did see some people off to the side waving showing their appreciation.
I thought it was most interesting to see the turnout from IN both joining and leaving along the way, Kind of like "Changing of the Guard".
I am pleased that everyone made it home safely and God Bless the Soldiers!
I for one will be there to escort them home.
Thanks Everyone,
Softtail96 |
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Bruce Craig - Softtail
IN Sr. Ride Captain
God Bless and Ride Safe
Riding in Honor for my sons
Specialist Jason C. Craig INNG
Airman 1st Class Peter H. Craig USAF |
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Chief_Investigator
Posts: 891
Asst IN State Capt
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| 04 Jun 2006 12:17 PM |
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| Softail96, Everyone got confused when the buses separated. It was like, OK, which bus do I follow? I thought the buses had radio contact with one another, so I don't know why they went different directions. Everything went fine yesterday considering there was no police escort. I am extremely sorry I had to miss the last 30 miles of the trip. I would have loved to have been there at the entrance to Camp Atterbury. Everyone did an outstanding job showing up and sending these soldiers a message. I am extremely grateful to our neighbors to the North who included us in this emotional send-off. This mission proved that Indiana will step up when we are needed or asked to perform. The troops KNEW WE WERE THERE FOR THEM, and regardless of any separation that occurred, knew also that we were out on the road both in Michigan and Indiana in great numbers to honor them. |
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Ron Coleman "Chief"
U.S. Army Security Agency '73-'78
Member Blue Knights Law Enforcement MC - IN Chapter XIII
"If You Don't Stand Behind Our Troops, Please, Feel Free To Stand In Front Of Them!"
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Skye
Posts: 238
Beautiful Brown County, Indiana
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| 04 Jun 2006 12:35 PM |
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Just wanted to let everyone know that it was truly awesome to see the PGR escorting the busses coming over the last rise in the road and down the slope to the main gate at Atterbury. Hope JustMe5155 got a picture of it. The sight of those young soldiers smiling and waving out the windows of those buses was well worth waiting for. They all looked so young, so very young. Glad we could help out in a small way. Sorry I didn't recognize you, One Guy and mispronouced your name Vennem. Well, when you start aging....
Skye |
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vennem
Posts: 471
Greenwood, IN RC
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| 04 Jun 2006 1:09 PM |
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Just to let everyone know, with traffic congestion as we approached 465, there was no way that we were keeping a constant speed, I eventually made radio contact with Albruner in the front group just after getting on 465, at that time I was last and the buses were dropping. behind as they moved through traffic. He slowed the front group and I was watching for the buses. the bikes got together as we approached 65 south and the buses were catching up. The on ramp to 65 south slowed them down and the merge busted em up again. Albruner was holding a slightly slower speed than us so we would bunch up. We had visual at County line and full "Convoy" status at the Greewood exit.
It's important to remember steady speed and allow room for traffic to get around you that will get eveyone together. As we got off at US 31, I noticed the buses hadn't stayed together either, I waited to follow up the rear and suddenly remembered I didn't really know how many buses there were! Caught up with the last bus as it was pulling in the gate.
It may have gotten 'messy' there for a while but it came back together toward the end quite well I think, especially without an LEO escort.
Adapt and overcome..... we do it so well. |
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USAF Vet '74-'86
Honor and Respect
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VA RIDER
Posts: 345
Greenwood, IND
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| 04 Jun 2006 1:43 PM |
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It was definitely an honor to be part of this escort and meeting as many troops as I could during the Anderson stop. When in line at the truck stop, the cashier thanked me for what we do, I pointed to all the troops around me and said that these are the ones that deserve the thanks, we're just along for the ride to let them know how much we appreciate their service to our country. She just smiled and nodded as she said, "your right" then started thanking the soldiers. It was really good getting to talk with as many as I could during that stop, we could have spent many more hours there ( at least until Chiefs party started!) with the troops. Had to part at the greenwood exit due to family schedul but it was an honor as usual.
Jim "VA RIDER" |
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Jim Bastin "VA RIDER"
INDIANA HOTH Coordinator
Cold War Army Veteran |
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DNR
Posts: 597
DNNR Proud Scooter Sissy & West Central Sr Ride Captain from Noblesville, IN - #15606
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| 04 Jun 2006 3:14 PM |
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Hey everyone!
Dcsporty and Sirhailstone – great to meet you guys at the state line.
Yes Dirtbike I had trouble, something about bolts shaking out and the engine shifting that make getting power to the wheel kinda tough… ah the joys of older Harley’s. Waited by the road for 3 hours (no shade for about a mile in both directions) (guess I should start carrying a tow strap…). Then a buddy to showed up with a truck, then 3 hours to home, what a long, hot, sun burnt day.
Again sorry I could not be there for the ride and the mix-up in getting Pinky to the gate when you all arrived. I’m just glad it all worked out for the troops.
See you next time!
DNR
PS: Anybody wan to buy an old Shovelhead?
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For those that have fallen, I will stand. I will not forget.
Riding in memory of:
Jerry Croell * January 6, 1948 - January 2, 2007 * Indiana PGR Member/USAF Veteran
Tim Neeley * October 15, 2006 * Indiana PGR Member
The Indiana Patriot Guard Blog |
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Curly
Posts: 92
Churubusco, IN
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| 04 Jun 2006 3:32 PM |
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Proud to be a part of this escort. I meant to be at the MI/IN line, but I Had the old blue anchor up on the jack too long, and didn't have time. (busted oil filter bracket-had to fix that) Waited solo at Auburn, then thought I might run on down to Ft. Wayne and meet up if anyone there. County cop made me get off the onramp, so when the busses came by, I was on the wrong side of a red light. Her I go, 100mph&, all of a sudden I see Onion and the boys dirt-bikin' in the median trying to get 'em turned around. CAUTION: do not try to take pictures at this speed!
I do have a sreious concern about the attitude of these young men and women. They insisted to keep thanking us over and over while we were thanking them. Truck -stop parties are pretty neat. First time I ever tried one, and I'd recommend it to any and all patriots.
Nice to see a lot of famailiar faces, and meet new ones. The silent majority ain't so silent anymore.
Curly,
Churubusco, IN
Proud member of the PGR |
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dirtbike
Posts: 1435
elkhart - michiana
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| 04 Jun 2006 3:34 PM |
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| Hey dnr, glad yur home safe. . It was good to see ya again, sorry bout yur troubles. Hey maybe djpullen(darren) would want to buy that bike. He loves them ole"Troubleheads"!! Not me man, I love my twin cam. No more wrenching on the side of the road. My new harley tool kit says "verizon" on it. Respect, dirtbike |
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But.... These ARE my church clothes??? The only suit I own, is a rainsuit!!!
Riding in memory ... PFC Mike Synod 2n bn 5th Marines Panel 39w 005 |
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shakr
Posts: 290
Redford, Mi.
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| 04 Jun 2006 4:24 PM |
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It was Great to Meet all of you , way to many names for me to remember but It was an Honor to ride with you all.
What an Experience when We rode under that huge flag in Downtown Jackson ( I think the state cops were not bikers as they chose a speed a bit too slow for 1st gear) on another note I think we ran every red light in Jackson  , This was very humbling and I hope to be there when these fine men and Women come home.
WoodMaster you were a great leader , I hope we did those soldiers proud. |
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Nuggett
Posts: 112
Warren, MI
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| 04 Jun 2006 7:53 PM |
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Yeppers, I made it home. Thanks ever so much to Larry, a.k.a. Woodmaster. He is totally amazing! I already posted the story in the Michigan forum.
It was not just a great turnout in Jackson, it was PHENOMINAL!!! It was an additional honor to be in the lead with Woodmaster and Jackstopp and Koozer. I also felt proud that ABATE of Michigan was so well represented with Regions 11, 12 and 13.
I walked around and talked to people while we were staging and had a couple people come up and tell me thank you. I am thinking to myself, they shouldn't be thanking me, it is not me making the sacrifices, it is them so I would tell them, No, the thanks go to you and your family. I am greatful to be able to show my support and honor they deserve. I watched a lady go up and talk to Larry and I could see he was touched by what she was saying.
I remember as the soldiers marched past us doing their cadence and I looked at all those men and women and my heart just busted! SO MANY people affected by this ugly war...women and children whose husbands and fathers were leaving and Parents whose son or daughter were leaving. I just stood there and prayed to God they all return safe and sound, that the hardship of their deployment is lessened by whatever means the Lord can provide for them. Then as we paraded through town in front of the busses and the people on the streets and the signs and SO MANY people saying thank you to US!! I had tears rolling down my face...and my heart was heavy for them all. Then as we went down I94 there were people on overpasses and at Rest Areas with signs and stuff just waving and waving...and saying Thank You to the PGR... it was way more emotional than I ever thought it would be. I just pray that everyone returns safe!
I remember looking back in my mirrors and for as far as I could see were the headlights of bikes! MICHIGAN PGR ROCKS!! Then when we hit the state line there were 4 of us and then we seen others that had joined in from IN and my heart burst with pride!! Indiana PGR ROCKS also!! I know that I would also be just as honored to be able to escort them back when they return.
Woodmaster did a great thing putting this special mission together. As Chief said, they needed that.
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Hugs and Love
Nuggett
IF YOU DON'T STAND BEHIND OUR TROOPS, PLEASE, FEEL FREE TO STAND IN FRONT OF THEM !!! Freedom is NOT free!
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shakr
Posts: 290
Redford, Mi.
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| 05 Jun 2006 7:27 AM |
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| Anyone who has pictures from the Jackson procession please Please post them up or let me know where I can see them , this was so awsome but I was in the front so I never got to see the whole experience ...the procession was longer than I could see and I'd like to "relive" the experience from others vantage points. |
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tin
Posts: 188
Jackson
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| 05 Jun 2006 7:38 AM |
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| ditto what shakr said! |
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tin
PMM of LCpl Christopher
Home for now!
PM of Carly & Brekke too!
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