samsd 
Posts: 17
Effingham, IL
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| 15 May 2006 8:31 AM |
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New hotel information, Angie at the Hampton INN in Effingham said she would let the riders have rooms for $55 plus tax. The Hampton is on the south side of I70/57, exit 160 across from Kmart on Keller Dr. The phone number is 217-342-4499. She is checking with some other hotels that may have better rates.
Dan |
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samsd
Posts: 17
Effingham, IL
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| 15 May 2006 8:46 AM |
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Angie just called and the Best Western Raintree Inn has some rooms available. $39.95 singles and $44.95 doubles. The Raintree is at Exit 159 next to Petro Truck Stop. If anyone is interested in catching a bite to eat on Tuesday, I will be at the Longhorn in Altamont around 4 PM. The Longhorn is on the southside of I70. We should have plenty of time to eat before our staging time which is still up in the air.
Dan
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samsd
Posts: 17
Effingham, IL
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| 15 May 2006 8:50 AM |
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One more hotel, Comfort Suites at Exit 159 and go east will have rooms for $55. The phone number is 217-342-3151. Make sure you tell them you are with The Patriot Guard Riders.
Dan |
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warranty
Posts: 73
Mt. Vernon, ILL
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| 15 May 2006 8:59 AM |
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| Kyra (Desert Rose) I met you at Cpl. Lueken's Mission,or ANYONE coming from the South thru Mt. Vernon, ILL. Mt. Vernon is about 80 miles south of Effingham. If Anyone wants to come up Thurs. night (no matter what time) I have PLENTY of room at my house to stay that night and a large covered, cement floor building for the bikes. Might even throw in breakfast. Look me up in members, my name is in the phone book or e-mail (have to use the e-mail address listed). Let me know so we know how many to expect. Any PGR is welcome !!!
Ride safe everyone. Joe H. |
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Riding With Respect
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jalger
Posts: 670
Crystal Lake, IL.
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| 15 May 2006 9:41 AM |
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Is anyone from the MeHenry County area going on this one?
If you would like some company for the ride let me know
I live in Crystal Lake..
Shoot me an email or give me a call..
Joe
815-482-3375
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Big Joe
Crystal Lake, IL.
Ride Captain Warrior's Watch
www.warriorswatch.org
All gave some.
Some gave all.
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greense96
Posts: 160
Stew "THE HAT" Gillespie,Il Illinois Ride Captain
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| 15 May 2006 10:39 AM |
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Will be at both rides. We meet you Dan at Longhorn @ 4pm Tues and we will see how things go from there. Time is not of any concern for me so I'll be with you all the way Tues and Friday.
Stew In Gillespie |
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mojo57
Posts: 54
Granite City, IL.
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| 15 May 2006 11:13 AM |
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Flying J at 111 and 270 sounds like a good place to meet for metro east and St. Louis folks.
I think this will work for Tues. and Fri. What do you think dare8601
How about 7AM meeting time Fri.
Meeting time to be determined for Tues. Still waiting on arrival time in Altamont. |
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Marty
"Peace is the highest aspiration for the American people. We will negotiate for it, sacrifice for it; we will not surrender for it, now or ever." - Ronald Reagan
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ivetret
Posts: 1811
Shermer, IL
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| 15 May 2006 11:47 AM |
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Published: May 15, 2006 01:11 pm
Effingham soldier killed in Afghanistan
Bill Grimes
Effingham Daily News
Effingham County lost its first soldier last week in the U.S.-led war on terror.
U.S. Army Warrant Officer 2nd Class Christopher Brian Donaldson, 28,was
one of 10 soldiers killed Friday when their CH-47 helicopter crashed in
a ravine during combat operations in eastern Afghanistan. Donaldson had
been attached to the 10th Mountain Division, based in Fort Drum, New
York.
The Associated Press reported today the helicopter had
been searching a mountainous area in Kunar province along the
Afghan-Pakistani border when it crashed into the ravine.
The
Army reported the fatal crash was not caused by hostile fire, adding
the crash occurred near a mountaintop landing site during combat
operations and is being investigated. The AP added about 2,500 U.S. and
Afghan soldiers are engaged in a joint military campaign in Kunar.
The Army has not officially released the names of those killed in the crash.
Donaldson, who would have been 29 on May 17, was a 1995 graduate of
Effingham High School. His mother, Lynn Donaldson of Effingham, said
her son joined the Army in 1997 and liked it so much he planned to be a
career soldier.
“This is what he loved to do,” Mrs. Donaldson said. “He really enjoyed flying.”
Donaldson had trained to be a helicopter crewman, his mother said. But
after initial exposure to the aircraft and becoming a crew chief, he
decided he wanted to become a pilot.
As a result of that decision, Mrs. Donaldson said, Chris decided to make the military his career.
“To be accepted as a pilot, he had to make a five-year commitment,” she
said. “By the time that commitment ended, he had nearly 10 years in and
was going to stay at least 20 years.”
Donaldson received his
wings in 2004. His mother said at the time of his death, her son served
as a co-pilot on a CH-47, but was nearing enough flying time to earn
status as a chief pilot.
Christopher Brian Donaldson was born
May 17, 1977, the son of Bill and Lynn Donaldson. Mrs. Donaldson said
Chris showed leadership ability at a young age.
“He was a go-getter,” she said.
Chris was a football and baseball player at Effingham High School,
graduating in 1995. One of Chris’ former high school coaches remembers
him as a reserved boy who excelled in athletics.
“He played
baseball for me, but I didn’t really get to know him very well because
he was so quiet,” said EHS counselor and former baseball coach Larry
Micenheimer. He was a good football and baseball player, but so
painfully quiet. “That was a good quality — sort of refreshing.”
Chris took some college courses, but didn’t really know what he wanted
to do with his life before joining the Army in September 1997.
“He got in and really enjoyed it,” Mrs. Donaldson said. “He had accomplished a lot.”
Chris earned a bachelor’s degree during his military career despite overseas deployments to Germany and South Korea.
Mrs. Donaldson said her son should be remembered for his many positive qualities.
“He was a great soldier, a great brother and a great friend,” said Mrs.
Donaldson. “He had a big heart and helped whoever he could.”
Grandmother Thelma Laue of Shumway recalled Chris as a boy who enjoyed fishing on his grandparents’ farm.
“Chris was our first grandchild,” Mrs. Laue said. “He was just a special person — he loved small children.”
Mrs. Laue said Christmas was always a special time for Chris.
“He would always try to take his leave around Christmas,” she said.
Mrs. Donaldson said two Army officers notified her of the death at
about 11:30 p.m. Saturday. She added family members would be meeting
with another Army representative today to make arrangements for the
transport of Chris’ body back to the United States.
Mrs. Donaldson said funeral arrangements would not be made until after today’s meeting.
http://www.effinghamdailynews.com/homepage/local_story_135131119.html?keyword=leadpicturestory
I noticed my comment is on the home page. ~Rose
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“Lest I keep my complacent way I must remember somewhere out there a person died for me today. As long as there must be war, I ask and I must answer was I worth dying for?”
[Eleanor Roosevelt]
@}-,-`- |
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jalger
Posts: 670
Crystal Lake, IL.
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| 15 May 2006 11:51 AM |
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| McHenry County... |
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Big Joe
Crystal Lake, IL.
Ride Captain Warrior's Watch
www.warriorswatch.org
All gave some.
Some gave all.
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SSgtJamiLynn
Posts: 0
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| 15 May 2006 12:08 PM |
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| Standing by in Terre Haute for Tuesday escort. I left the bike home in Evansville, so I'll be on 4wheels for this one. God bless CW2 Donaldson's family and loved ones - they are in my prayers. |
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SSgtJamiLynn
Posts: 0
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| 15 May 2006 12:11 PM |
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| Kyra (DesertRose) - will you be on 2wheels for the Friday portion of this mission, and if so, are you heading up on Thursday or Friday? I'm going to try to make Friday as well, but don't want to ride up by myself if I don't have to. I'll email you my new phone number in a second. Thanks, my dear friend. |
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shamy73
Posts: 4
Altamont, IL
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| 15 May 2006 1:29 PM |
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| Please let me know ASAP of the times for the escort on Tuesday. I belong to ABATE of Illinois, Inc. Crossroads Chapter 13. I have been making phone calls to get some of our local members to help out with this mission. We are also planning on coming to the funeral on Friday. If you have any other local questions, please feel free to contact me. I live less than five miles from the escort staging area and also from the church where the services are to be held. Thank you. |
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Ride Free -- |
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dare8601
Posts: 5
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| 15 May 2006 1:58 PM |
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Mojo57,
7am Friday sounds good....
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twaskom
Posts: 39
Paragon, IN.
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| 15 May 2006 2:00 PM |
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| My heart and prayers go out to the Family and community. I plan to be there on Friday and am watching for details. |
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GCFDResQ
Posts: 216
Coronado
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| 15 May 2006 2:26 PM |
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Posted By mojo57 on 05/15/2006 11:13 AM
Flying J at 111 and 270 sounds like a good place to meet for metro east and St. Louis folks.
I think this will work for Tues. and Fri. What do you think dare8601
How about 7AM meeting time Fri.
Meeting time to be determined for Tues. Still waiting on arrival time in Altamont.
I should be able to make both. The "J" has decent gas and a large parking area, so it's a good choice. Tuesday may be wierd- thinking 1500-1515, or so. Should leave plenty of time to catch some food/get flags ready/preride in Effingham- if the 1630 arrivial time at Lambert is correct. |
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Can Do!
Americal Legion Post 708
VFW Post 976
V-Star 1100 Custom |
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ivetret
Posts: 1811
Shermer, IL
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| 15 May 2006 2:46 PM |
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We will begin forming at Altamont exit by the Baptist Church at 6:00 PM
Tuesday. The Altamont Police have stated that the expected roll
out time about 7:00 PM. Dan and I will be at The Longhorn
Restaurant before hand (probably about 4 PM).
Friday's time is still looking good and I'll be posting the start and
stop staging locations on Wednesday. Afterall, I'll have had a
chance Tuesday to meet many of you by then. As most of you
in Illinois are aware that there is a police officer's funeral today so
many of the LEO contacts are out of town.
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“Lest I keep my complacent way I must remember somewhere out there a person died for me today. As long as there must be war, I ask and I must answer was I worth dying for?”
[Eleanor Roosevelt]
@}-,-`- |
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ParrotHD
Posts: 43
Decatur, IL
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| 15 May 2006 3:23 PM |
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" Dan and I will be at The Longhorn Restaurant before hand (probably about 4 PM)."
Becky and I should be there about that time also. GCFDResQ take note.
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Career Paramedic serving 30 years as of March 2006
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samsd
Posts: 17
Effingham, IL
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| 15 May 2006 3:30 PM |
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Shamy73, can you give me a call, 217-821-1386. I will be in Altamont Tuesday around 4 at the Longhorn.
Dan |
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harley5554
Posts: 0
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| 15 May 2006 5:33 PM |
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Anyone has any idea how long it should take to ride from the south suburbs of Chicago to where the funeral staging will take place? Assuming good riding conditions on interstate roads.
Harley Arnie |
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2marinegrlzmom
Posts: 64
Maplewood, Mo.
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| 15 May 2006 5:43 PM |
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| Hello Jalger, I'm originally from Crystal Lake. What part of town are in? I hope to see you Friday. You might know my family, I still have 2 brothers up there. |
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Proud PGR member #30976
Proud supporter of the USA MILITARY TROOPS |
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brandonjones1983
Posts: 270
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| 15 May 2006 6:23 PM |
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| Mojo and Dare, I will join you at the J on Friday at 7 am if you dont mind. I'm in a four wheeler so If you need me to cary for you, I'll be glad to. |
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SlingBlade
Posts: 133
Bonfield, Il. Illinois State Captain
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| 15 May 2006 6:38 PM |
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Regretably, I won't be able to make either part of this mission due to my job schedule.
I will keep my eyes on the mission board for future missions though.
Be strong and ride safe.
Todd |
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'07 GoldWing,Orange. GPS, CB, MedKit. |
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GrmaS01
Posts: 5
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| 15 May 2006 7:29 PM |
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Hello to All,
My husband received an email about what you are doing to honor our Cousin Chief Warrant Officer 2 Class Christopher Brian Donaldson.I logged on and cannot believe my eyes.Tears started coming.Had to stop reading to continue if that makes any sense.I just want to say "Thank you for all you are doing.Not just for Chris but for everyone."We will be arriving in town Wednesday afternoon and I cannot wait to see you all.Again "Thank you to all the Patriot Riders".May God Bless You All and Keep You Safe. |
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GCFDResQ
Posts: 216
Coronado
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| 15 May 2006 7:31 PM |
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| I will be leaving Tuesday around 3-ish from the Flying J- anyone doing escort duty from the area is welcome to join me! |
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Can Do!
Americal Legion Post 708
VFW Post 976
V-Star 1100 Custom |
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artburns2
Posts: 6
Orfordville, WI
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| 15 May 2006 8:09 PM |
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| Riding down Friday morning from WI to honor this great American. |
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Art |
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