As usual AJ gave a great mission report, I would like to add the following.

It was O Dark Thirty Saturday 10-27-2007 when I met up with Steamer and crew; they were there to escort Spc. Micheal D. Brown from the funeral home to the Chapel. I arrived to hook up the flag trailer and head to our designated meeting area, trying to arrive before any of the riders; as usual many of our riders arrive early and were already there. I got the table and flag out for everyone to sign and watched in amazement at the 200+ Riders rolled in on this chilly fall morning. It was a real joy to be able to help Steamer, he really put it together well and deserves a heart felt Thanks for all the hard work he put into making this mission a success. I know he made many phone calls and trips to Ottawa, I met him the previous weekend after work so we could find the chapel and cemetery and get an idea of what needed to be done and where to try to park... and again on Friday when I took the trailer down so they would have flags for the visitation. There were many riders I had already met, and many new faces, along with a special new face Sherry who is a Soldier’s Angel and who adopted Spc. Micheal Brown as one of her own, she came all they way from Oregon. It seems every mission the number of new faces increases, which is fantastic, and it means we are making a difference. Speaking of which Saturday the 27th was the 17th annual national Make a difference day, a day to put your cares on hold, for one day to care for someone else. I think any of our missions would qualify, how ironic that any mission would fall on this particular day.

I just want to say there is nothing like the sound of bagpipes in the morning. Charles Liles does such a wonderful job on them, which I have been told is no easy task. When walking the line at the chapel, one of the guys pointed out a group of local citizens standing on a corner and suggested that I ask if they would like to join us, they were tickled to be included as they were not sure if they could or should. When leaving the chapel and going through town I saw most of the people in the vehicles passing by giving the thumbs up as we headed towards the cemetery. As we rounded the corner on 1st street the Fire Department had the big ladder truck out and were attaching a large flag so the rest of the group would drive under it to show their support. When we got out onto the highway it was amazing that for miles in the rear view mirror, the line of motorcycle headlights 2 abreast following behind. I want to thank the Franklin county Sheriffs department for blocking traffic for us at a very dangerous intersection, the Centropolis turn off. By the time I could no longer see that area in my mirror, the bikes were still coming. I am pretty sure we took well over half a mile of the road to get everyone parked at the Pleasant Hill Cemetery outside of Centropolis.

The morning warmed enough to almost take the chill off and there was just enough breeze for the flags to wave at the family as they passed between them, along the road on the way to lay their loved on to rest. The first volley of shots always sends home the reality of how short our time is in this world, the sounds of taps and of the bag pipes playing Amazing Grace always sends chills down my spine. The little church in Centropolis was having a bizarre and invited all to stop in for coffee and pie, I say many took them up on the offer as I passed by, heading back to work, nothing beats a 7 hour lunch break.

I wish to thank everyone that attended, you made a difference for the family of Spc. Micheal D. Brown and for the community of Ottawa. After work I stopped to grab something to eat before heading back to Emporia, I still had my vest on and many citizens came over to ask questions and to express their gratitude.

Job well Done Riders! Mission Complete

I was so very honored to be a part of this mission.
The participation in this mission was outstanding.
As with past missions, to see continous rows of large brightly-colored red, white and blue American flags is breathtaking to say the least. It still amazes me how many PGR members (new and old) will turn out for these missions now. Patriotism is certainly alive and well in this country, no doubt about that. It was difficult to keep a dry eye as I drove my cage behind AJ that morning, seeing all the people along the way either saluting or standing still with their hand over their heart. It especially gets to me when I see little children standing their holding an American flag and having their hand placed over their heart.

Thank you to the family for inviting us to this important occasion and I give thanks to not only to Spc. Michael Brown, but to all of our men and women who continually fight to keep us free and protect us.


Here is a story by the Ottawa newspaper regarding Spc. Micheal D. Brown: http://www3.ottawaherald.com/ottsub/news/stories/102907soldier.shtml