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Patriot Guard Riders Forum
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Bassthoven 
Posts: 64
Centralia
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| 05 Mar 2007 8:47 PM |
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| I am truly humbled by the large turnout. May the family of SGT Pfister find comfort during this time. Thank you for inviting us to honor this American Hero. |
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"Dunkin' D"
Biker, Bassist, Veteran
District/Ride Captain - Lewis County
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Psycho Mike
Posts: 36
Spokane, Washington
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| 05 Mar 2007 10:53 PM |
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Final Report -
To understand this Mission, you need to picture us starting at 0800 when about eight riders and two cages as we left our Rally Point and hit the road from Spokane to Pasco. The weather was nasty. Wet, cold and dark with snow all over the side of the highway. Our rest stop was scheduled for Ritzville about 55 miles away, so about an hour into the trip, we stopped to warm up and grab some breakfast. What we were expecting was a really good showing - about 60 bikes and maybe 20 other people who had to drive. Keep that picture in your mind.
As we left Ritzville, the weather kept trying to brighten up, so the last leg of the trip down was much nicer and more enjoyable. I was having such a good time (finally riding) that I kept the speed down to about 60-65, rather than 70-80. And I got teased quite a bit for doing that. Like I care.
As we exited and rode over 395, we could see the Rally Point and were met with a surprise. Remember our expectation of 60 bikes. Damn, were we ever wrong. There were 450 bikes! We had to wind our way through them to find a place to park. I'm serious, we were all blown away by the sheer number of bikes and the tonnage of leather.
I was asked to ride in the Missing Man Formation. If you look at the photos of the 7-mile line of bikes, you probably won't see the very first ones. That was the Missing Man Formation. The lead two riders were our State Captain (Cowboy) and me. I tell you that just to give you a perspective. Looking forward, I could see the blinking lights of the law enforcement car. But, looking in my mirrors, all I could see were bikes all the way to the horizon. I knew the line stretched beyond the horizon, all the way back to the Rally Point. I believe that as we arrive at the Mission point, there were still lots of bikes that had not moved into the formation yet.
If you have not see them, link to:
http://mattwatkins.org/ibr/2007/03/05/leather-cordura-red-white-and-blue/
and look at those photos. You'll see a small section of the procession.
Immediately behind Cowboy and me were Knuckles and the missing man. I was sincerely touched by the honor of riding in the formation. It was made up of former Marines on evil V twins. I got to spend some time with Knuckles during the build up to the event and found him to be as down-to-earth a guy as you'd ever hope to meet. I found a new brother in that man.
As if that honor and thrill weren't enough, I got hit again with the overwhelming sight of a thousand people holding flags and cheering us into the Flag Tunnel going into the Mission grounds at the Trac. If that's not a reason to heal old wounds, I don't know what is. We had no idea there would be anyone there! What greeted us were 3000 people! That's the count reported by the Tri-Cities Herald.
You can see their video of the Mission at:
http://www.tri-cityherald.com/tch/local/video/story/8684473p-8581036c.html
When it gets to the shots of the "protestors," get ready to get pissed.
451 bikes and about 3000 people were celebrating the life and liberty that Travis Pfister died to protect. I think of it as a beautiful wake for a fallen hero. Why couldn't we celebrate him while he was still alive. I sometimes think that the people who greet our troops at the airport have the right idea.
Where all those 3000 people came from, I don't know. But I know why they were there. I know why I do what I do and you do what you do in the name of the Patriot Guard Riders. We all share a common belief that the world is a good place, but that it needs to be protected. If you respect our men and women in uniform ... If you enjoy your freedom ... You have to realize that freedom comes at a price others pay. Travis Pfister is one of people who paid the price. His wife Jessica (also a Marine) paid the price when she lost her husband. All people who are courageous enough to button the uniform are heroes to us.
This Mission came to an end for us as our group hit the road for Spokane (at a speedier pace). The people of the Tri-Cities really came through. It chokes me up to think of their immediate community coming together and solidifying for a day, maybe a lifetime. It's exactly like the PGR, isn't it? We don't care what political party you vote for. We don't care what church you go to. We don't care if you ride or drive. We don't care if you're a vet, hawk or dove. We only care that you respect our men and women in uniform. And, God help you if you don't.
Semper Fi,
Psycho
District Captain/Ride Captain
Patriot Guard Riders
509.209.0032 (cell)
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Spokane, Washington
USMC 66-69
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waroadstar
Posts: 115
Atkins,Ark. Ride Captain West Central Arkansas ( Russellville Area )
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| 06 Mar 2007 12:29 PM |
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| What a fantastic day. Most everything has already been said. I was fortunate to be invited to go to the TRAC with Jeff to scope out the location and then to find a rally point that would work for this mission. It was a nice day and we talked about if the weather stayed like this, how cool it would be if we would have maybe 150 bikes show. The next week the weather got worse and we were hoping it would break. Little did we know what we would to look forward to on Sunday morning. All the numbers have been said. I was honored to be asked to ride in the 2nd positon behind the families personal vehicles. What a privilege. I have been riding a long time and this was the best ride i have been on. To assist Jeff in working on this mission, leading the PGR group and then, being greated by all the folks holding flags and lining the road. I was in awe. Solid line of flags shoulder to shoulder. People clapping and saying THANKS and giving the thumbs up. I had thought the fog and mist cleared up hours earlier but this brought it back only in a different way. This again was such a fine day. It was great to see such a large turn out. I heard that some of the people say that they came out because of the negative side and said it was the right thing to do because 'they' showed up. I have to disagree with that. The right thing to do is to show up and show your respect for the fallen and support their family no matter what else may be going on. Thanks to all of the out of town PGR that trekked in from all points to support this mission. To all the various groups that came to participate. Most of all THANKS to the Pfister family for inviting us and allowing us to say THANKS to Sgt. Travis Pfister for being who he is. He will not be forgotten. |
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XRiderChuck
Posts: 16
Ellensburg, WA
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| 06 Mar 2007 6:03 PM |
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| Very well put, Psycho. It was an honor to be a very small part of it all. Chuck |
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US Navy 1978-1982
USS Oklahoma City CG-5
USS Blue Ridge LCC-19
USS Flint AE-32 |
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jayhill
Posts: 803
Centennial Colorado
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MasterChief-Jerry
Posts: 22
Lacey, WA
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| 07 Mar 2007 12:47 AM |
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| After riding through the tunnel of flags.... now I know just a bit of how some of the families feel when WE are standing tall holding flags for them. It is still hard to swallow when I look at the photos! Semper Fi SGT Pfister, Semper Fi Marine! |
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EMCM(SW) Jerry Thorsell USN (Ret)
"Not Self, But Country!"
Riding in memory of:
MA2 Michael Monsoor, USN
Sgt Justin Norton, USA |
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jeffmcpa
Posts: 375
Pacific Western Regional Captain
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| 10 Mar 2007 2:21 PM |
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Q a northwest photographer INVITED BY THE FAMILY has completed his work, he prepared a CD with over 800 photos which he is presenting to the family free of charge.
A portion of the photo are now posted on his tribute page to Sgt. Pfister
http://www.iraqwarheroes.com/pfistert.htm
Thanks again who came out to honor Sgt. Pfister |
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Jeff Matson
jeffmcpa@patriotguard.org
Sunnyside, WA |
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