TheGoon 
Posts: 35
San Antonio
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| 27 Jun 2006 7:20 PM |
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I cannot find it anywhere, so I'll ask.. is there a group meet up on wednesday morning to ride down from San Antonio, or is this an every man for himself on getting to brownsville?
RIP Kristian Menchaca, for you have done your duty. Rest well and know, that you will not be forgotten.
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Brian Switzer
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jgreiner
Posts: 2095
West Lafayette, IN
Ride Captain
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| 28 Jun 2006 7:05 AM |
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My prayers are with the family and friends of this fine young man. Please ride this one for me if you can, I will be with you in spirit on it.
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Jeff Greiner
Indiana Rolling Thunder
Chapter 4
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wisesafe
Posts: 169
Rowlett, TX
TX State Captain
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DaveFash
Posts: 69
Friendswood, Texas
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| 28 Jun 2006 8:38 PM |
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Some photos from the Mission to Brownsville
on June 28, 2006 to honor Pfc. Kristian Menchaca.
44 bikes (30 PGR & 14 Los Escondedos).
Click Here
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Dave Fashenpour
USAF Capt, Ret.
(Mustang) |
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JulieD
Posts: 22
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| 28 Jun 2006 8:46 PM |
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Thank you for the pictures, and thank you for being there.
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hawgr60
Posts: 48
San Antonio Texas
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| 28 Jun 2006 8:50 PM |
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It has been a long and hot two days to cover this mission, but worth every minute and mile of it. The mission was sucsessful I salute you Paula aka Keeper. You done a very good jod despite every obstical thrown your way. It seems that the media in it's reporting gets way to wrapped around the axle about protesters and gets people worked up into a lather and itching for a fight. And what happens other than 30 Patriot Guards Riding motorcycles Flying Ole Glory High and Proud. It appeared to me that alot of the locals were confused as to what we were there to do which was simply show our respect to the family and Honor this fine outstanding soldier for his ultimate sacrifice. Thank You All for enduring the confusion. I am proud of what we do and all so proud of each and every member of the PGR.
"First Strike" PFC Menchaca stand tall and we will meet you on the other side!
Cathy get's the PGR (DHRA) Devoted Hardass Rider Award for this mission she got off work slept 2 hours got up rode over 500 miles for the mission, stood in the Deep South Texas sun for 5 + hours then mounted up and done it all over again, I salute you! You The woman.
Paula keep up the good work you are awsome.
Terry Smith (US Army Retired)
American Legion Post 593
Converse Tx.
ALR Sgt At Arms
You will note the name change sorry Paula I told you it was a long hot day I dont even remeber my name. |
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DaveFash
Posts: 69
Friendswood, Texas
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| 28 Jun 2006 9:37 PM |
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On the way back to Houston from Brownsville,
I passed through a back-logged US Border
Checkpoint Station.
When I finally got up to the Border Patrol Agent,
rather that asking me if I was a US Citizen --
he said "Answer a question for me.", I said "okay".
He said, "What is the Patriot Guard? I have seen
a lot of them today".
Giving me a great opportunity to say what we do
and to tell him how many riders came to honor
Kristian Menchaca. Seems like there were many
people down there that didn't know what we
are about -- but after the honor procession of
44 bikes right through the center of town and
the super reaction of the people; I think the
word may get out.
Good going folks!
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Dave Fashenpour
USAF Capt, Ret.
(Mustang) |
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MelLane
Posts: 264
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| 29 Jun 2006 7:45 AM |
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Thanks to all of you who were able to go-our thoughts and prayers were with you. Rest in peace Kris-you have made us all very proud.
Our heartfelt sympathy and love to the family-may God grant you peace.
Elaine and Mel |
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Proud daughter of a WWII Vet and Proud Wife of a Vietnam Vet.
If you can not stand behind our troops-stand in front of them.
They may not be stars-but holes in heaven for our loved ones to look down to watch out for us and let us know they are happy.
Standing in Honor and Memory of:
Service Battery, 3rd Battalion, 35th Field Artillary
FLO Royce L. McCleskey-P38 piliot shot down in
Italy during WWII
Pfc. Harold C. Gingrich-WWII Vet
Cpl. Marion Lee Dirickson 6/3/67 in Quang Tin
Pfc. Donald Mock 5/5/68 in Quang Tri
Sp4 Larry Massie 6/20/68 in Go Cong
Sp4 J.C. Strome 8/25/68 in Tay Ninh
Pfc. Paul Balint-Iraq
Sgt. Joshua Boyd-Iraq
Sgt. William Crow-Iraq
Johnny Dewey Baze-Vietnam Vet
Kyge C. Edmonds-Vietnam Vet and LEO
Lt. Col. James Ayres-shot down in Laos
SSG Michael Murphrey-Clyde, Texas
PGR # 32,787 |
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Talavera
Posts: 69
Austin,Tx
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| 29 Jun 2006 8:26 AM |
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Jerry I got your call this morning I'm glade you made it save. Cathy make sure you let us know that you got home OK, Rooster,Terry, Betty and to all that went on this mission Thank You it was grate to meet and ride with you all. Take care and get some rest. 
Rick Talavera |
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sc99p
Posts: 117
Austin, TX
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| 29 Jun 2006 8:34 AM |
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This was a long, and hard mission --- in many ways. But perhaps it was supposed to be...
The PGR was not as much a part of the services as we usually are at
most other missions. But it was a wonderful opportunity to simply be a
part of the services as a thankful citizen, and not necessarily as part
of the PGR.
For the first time, I joined the friends and family of the fallen
during the Funeral Mass. I was deeply moved by the spirit of the
community, and found great Peace and comfort in the words of the Bishop.
During the burial ceremony, I was standing behind SFC Zapata of
Edinburg, TX. He was having a difficult time with his emotions during
the ceremony. I had the honor of meeting him after the ceremony, I
noticed that his combat patch was the Big Red One, which is the same
patch that I wore on my right shoulder. He then told me that he was
having a hard time because the memory of his son, Spc Marc Anthony Zapata, who was killed in action by hostile fire in Najaf, Iraq nearly two years ago.
After the ceremony, many of us rejoined to the local VFW before we hit
the road. On their wall of honor, I found the name and picture of Spc.
Zapata.
____________________________________________
After a stop for lunch in Harlingen, we headed north around 1600.
Thanks to Terry, Betty, Jerry, Rick, and Cathy for the company on the
road. Betty and Jerry peeled off somewhere around Three Rivers, and
then Terry split with us when we headed North on 410 in San Antonio.
I bid farewell to Rick and Cathy on the south side of Austin, and Rick
had the task of escorting Cathy another 20 miles North, before sending
her Solo for the remainder of her ride back to Dallas. It was just
after 2000 hours when I pulled into the garage, and knowing that Cathy
still had 3 more hours of solo night riding ahead of her made me wish
she'd taken me up on my offer to stay over in Austin with my wife and
myself. But she's a trooper, and felt like pushing on.
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Riding in Honor of:
PFC Tina Priest and PFC Amy Duerksen
Gunnery Sergeant John D. Fry and Sgt. Jeffery S. Wiekamp
Cpt. James A. Funkhouser and Sgt. Roger P. Pena Jr.
PFC Kristian Menchaca and SSgt Forrest D. Baker
SFC Kenneth I. Pugh and SGT George M. Ulloa Jr.
PFC Brian J. Kubik and Lance Cpl. Luke B. Holler
Cpl. Michael C. "Craig" Ledsome and Cpt. Sean E. Lyerly
Cpl. Jason K. Lafleur and Brig. Gen. David "Tex" Hill
Cpt. Rowdy J. Inman |
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cannoncl
Posts: 256
Weatherford Tx
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| 29 Jun 2006 11:04 AM |
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| I made it home around 2:30a.m. It was a very long but nice ride home that night. I am so proud to have met all of you. Thanks for letting me ride along and be a part. I hope someday we can meet somewhere for just bbq and a beer or iced tea. Paula, you did an outstanding job and my hat is off to you. Thanks for all of the room offers,( I really should have taken up on one last night, but I am a hard head). It is truly an honor and blessing to be able to associate with such wonderful Americans. Cathy |
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sc99p
Posts: 117
Austin, TX
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| 29 Jun 2006 11:23 AM |
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So glad to hear that you made it home safely, Cathy. Your dedication
and commitment to honor our fallen Soldiers, and the incredible
hardships you were willing to endure to do so --- well, it says a whole
lot about the kind of person that you are. It was an honor to ride with
you.
Also: another article which mentions the Patriot Guard Riders, and
shows what a great job Paula did in conveying our mission to the media:
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Riding in Honor of:
PFC Tina Priest and PFC Amy Duerksen
Gunnery Sergeant John D. Fry and Sgt. Jeffery S. Wiekamp
Cpt. James A. Funkhouser and Sgt. Roger P. Pena Jr.
PFC Kristian Menchaca and SSgt Forrest D. Baker
SFC Kenneth I. Pugh and SGT George M. Ulloa Jr.
PFC Brian J. Kubik and Lance Cpl. Luke B. Holler
Cpl. Michael C. "Craig" Ledsome and Cpt. Sean E. Lyerly
Cpl. Jason K. Lafleur and Brig. Gen. David "Tex" Hill
Cpt. Rowdy J. Inman |
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Oregon Citizen (guest)
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| 29 Jun 2006 1:45 PM |
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| Thank you Pfc. Menchaca for the ulitimate sacrifice. I will be attending the memorial service on Saturday for Pfc. Tucker. God bless you and your families. |
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booksbenji
Posts: 156
Midland, TEXAS, Hometown of the 1st Lady Mrs. Bush
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FLORESRL
Posts: 97
Warrior Transition Battalion, Fort Sam Houston, Texas
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| 29 Jun 2006 3:19 PM |
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HOOAH Everyone!
Great Mission, Great Company.
Thank You for the Honor to ride and stand beside you as we paid respect to one of our TRUE heroes.
Robert |
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The tree of liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants.......Thomas Jefferson |
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carrington
Posts: 175
Austin, Texas
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| 29 Jun 2006 3:43 PM |
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Posted By cannoncl on 06/29/2006 11:04 AM
I made it home around 2:30a.m. It was a very long but nice ride home that night. I am so proud to have met all of you. Thanks for letting me ride along and be a part. I hope someday we can meet somewhere for just bbq and a beer or iced tea. Paula, you did an outstanding job and my hat is off to you. Thanks for all of the room offers,( I really should have taken up on one last night, but I am a hard head). It is truly an honor and blessing to be able to associate with such wonderful Americans. Cathy
Cathy,
Google Maps says Brownsville to Dallas is 545 Miles. That's half an Ironbutt ride... You are a trooper!
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carrington
Deputy State Ride Captain
Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends. John 15:13 |
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harley5554
Posts: 0
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| 29 Jun 2006 6:08 PM |
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I am a former Texan living in the suburbs of Chicago and I cannot help but admire the efforts some of you American heroes go through to honor our fallen heroes. I am very involved with missions in Illinois and for a while I wanted to attend PFC Menchaca's mission but too many things go in the way. I wanted to show the world that people that die the way PFC Menchaca died deserve us, the living, make an extra sacrifice to honor them, their family and friends. May God ride with all of you and keep you safe.
Arnie |
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cannoncl
Posts: 256
Weatherford Tx
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| 29 Jun 2006 6:44 PM |
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Carrington
Email at home is cannons@digicominc.net
Oh yeah you can add 60 more miles to that half an iron butt total because I live in Weatherford not Dallas. My butt did not feel like iron when I got home, it had no feeling at all. Thanks, Cathy. I would love to be on the Austin area email list. I really enjoyed meeting and riding with some of Austin area's finest. |
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SouthTexas
Posts: 82
Sugar Land, Texas
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| 29 Jun 2006 8:23 PM |
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We honored Pfc. Menchaca, thanked his family, and rode with him to his final resting place. The service was moving and it highlighted the bravery of a young soldier. The turnout of the community was tremendous and hopefully that will help his family in their grieving. Pfc. Menchaca will be missed.
Away from the services, though we had ridden many miles to honor a brave, fallen soldier, we had a good time together. This was my most enjoyable mission from the perspective of meeting and socializing with fellow PGR riders. Tuesday night was fun, the breakfast went very well and the ride back to San Antonio with Robert, Juan, and Dick was enjoyable. I went to San Antonio to visit our wounded troops Wed. night and today, before riding home, and I encourage anyone with the time to visit our wounded soldiers. Betty, Betty's hubby, Rick, Robbie, Terry, Dave, Robert, Juan, Dick, Cathy, Paul, JR, Paula, Jose, Frank, and on and on, you are a good bunch. I'll remember this one. Mike
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MynameisEarl
Posts: 51
Corpus Christi, Texas
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| 29 Jun 2006 9:52 PM |
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Another mission and opportunity to honor a young American hero. I made it back to Corpus Christi area about 4 something in time to get to work. I was tired but thought of the others who had to go north to San Antonio, Austin and even Cathy to Dallas. Sure is a long stretch down to Brownsville. Enjoyed visiting with old faces and new. The town of Brownsville really did a good job showing they care especially the fire department.
Terry, thanks for helping with my bike. The Harley shop here in Corpus didn't have that bolt in stock either. But CC bolt and screw had one for 50 cents. See you all wherever the next mission takes us. Enjoyed working with such a dedicated bunch of men and women. Paulla thanks for the coffee and leadership.
Bob Lopez |
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MynameisEarl
Corpus Christi
AMCS retired 69-89
Bob Lopez |
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Keeper
Posts: 255
Waco/Aquilla area
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| 30 Jun 2006 7:14 AM |
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From the comments section of the Brownsville Herald:
I think the media should stop giving this group attention and air-time. That's all they want. Without it, they'd just go away!
Posted by: Randy on Jun 29, 06 | 6:52 am
Thank You for fueling the fire of their "great crusade." Your newspaper was more interested in sellling papers than you were about Pfc. Menchaca's sacrifice. Thank you for nothing Brownsville Herald for having nothing better to do than sell garbage.
Some of the locals were not too pleased w the attention given to other than the hero. |
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Hear with your Ears, Listen with your Heart- Go to the Source for the Truth! |
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Talavera
Posts: 69
Austin,Tx
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| 30 Jun 2006 8:32 AM |
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Phil, it was nice to have met you and your wife on this mission and to thanks you in helping with the water and ice. Also with my flag. Till next time, RIDE FREE & RIDE HARD.
Rick Talavera |
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SGMPhil
Posts: 5
Central Texas
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| 30 Jun 2006 9:13 AM |
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All,
It was an honor and a privilege to ride with you all in honor of PFC Menchaca. Mel & I very much look forward to seeing you all again. I am grateful that everyone made it home OK, I must admit that I was a bit worried about Cathy - that is a lot of riding in a short time with little rest and in the Texas heat to boot. Everyone stay safe out there.
-=Phil=- |
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-=The Sergeant Major=- |
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FALLEN ANGEL
Posts: 18
PORT LAVACA, TEXAS
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| 30 Jun 2006 11:34 AM |
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FALLEN ANGEL here,
It was great to meet the new members as well as some the old familiar faces (I mean friends that I have gone on missions before. Good to hear that everyone got home safe and sound. The common bond that we have is something that will never be broken. The respect that we show the family is seen when they walk by with tears in thier eyes saying "THANK YOU" for what you all are doing for the family. These FALLEN HERO'S are our family that is why we ride with respect. SGM PHIL it was a pleasure talking to you and Mel with Talavera to share our thoughts on the state of the world. KEEPER you were tough with all that was thrown your way. TIL NEXT TIME THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A NEXT TIME UNTIL WE GET OUR PEOPLE HOME WITH GOD'S CARE. Dave thanks for the pics |
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FALLEN ANGEL
DESERT SHIELD/STORM VET
THERE WILL ALWAYS BE A NEXT TIME UNTIL OUR FIGHTING MEN AND WOMEN COME HOME. |
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Grice (guest)
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| 30 Jun 2006 11:36 AM |
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To All Patriot Guard Riders,
I want to post this thank you for your presence at the memorial for Pfc Krisitan Menchaca. My wife was Kris's cousin and the family with whom he lived for quite some time during his younger years.
I know many of you traveled a good distance to honor this fallen soldier. Please know that your presence was noticed and appreciated by the family.
Please keep up what you do for those soldiers who will follow Kris home as fallen heros.
Thank You.
J. Grice
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