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Patriot Guard Riders Forum
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| Author |
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HrlyBOOMER 
Posts: 135
ATASCOCITA, REPUBLIC OF TEXAS
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| 06 Jan 2007 9:24 PM |
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| M I S S I O N - A C C O M P L I S H E D
At approximately 1520 PVT. NATHANIEL GIVEN took his final Journey. To show their HONOR, APPRECIATION & RESPECT were his loving family and many close family friends.
The Texas City Police Department, Shriners, Military, Sheriffs, Texas DPS and the Fire Department all turned out to assist in honoring this great young man and FALLEN HERO.
More support came from the Texas City and Dickinson communities who amply showed their love and support of this great family. The service road shoulder and the shoulder of I-45 had car's stopped and people lining the shoulder with flags and not but all paying their honor and respect to this family and their fallen son. Every overpass from the funeral home in Texas City to the Cemetery in Dickinson was lined with supporters, young and old with flags and salutes honoring Nathaniel and his family as we passed under them.
Also there were a few PGR RIDERS and other supporting members of the biking community. Well maybe more than a few. Staging was supposed to start at 1130 hrs. At 1130 hrs there were 100+ bikers. Only one thing mattered and that was their effort and desire to Appreciate, Honor and show their Respect for a fallen Trooper who gave his life in the service of his country as so many of his brothers have for centuries in this great country. The biking community came from all walks of life, colors and distances. I met riders from Beaumont, Corpus Christi, Lake Charles and other parts of the state and surrounding areas. The Colors are too many to list, however, suffice it to say there were many many many.
Oh, just as I thought we had all our riders a few more would come in. There's that "few" word again. We/I quit counting but I've heard numbers as high as 291 but I'm sticking with 231 as the official number as it's easiest to confirm from several counts.
Bottom line, ,the Riders of the PGR, and supporters of our countries Warriors and showed what this country is all about. Honor & Respect for it's Services and all member of our Armed Forces, GOD BLESS THEM ALL.
I wish that I could visit with every one of you who attended this Mission whether on bikes or in cages and truly express my and the Given family's heartfelt thanks at this very difficult time. I had a conversation with Nathaniel's Grand Mother and she wanted me to express her personal and loving thanks to you all for supporting her Son's Families and her Grand Son.
When we arrived at the Cemetery after all but the funeral procession including the flag bikes and others, had preseeded us and set up the HONOR FLAG LINE, the sight of you all standing in support and holding all the HONOR FLAGS we had and waiting for us to arrive... it was a beautiful sight. Unfortunately my glasses seemed to develop a fogging problem.
In speaking to the Director of the Cemetery she thanked us and told us that this was their largest funeral. She also said it was one of their most touching. She also sends out her thanks.
One final note. We gave our first PGE CHALLENGE COINS out today. The Father and his Brothers were very touched and the closing word of the Guard was very well received. They expressed that it gave them additional strength. "AND THE GUARD SAID....HOO YAA! Thank you all for participating in that.
I've just run out of words but I sincerely hope that I have gotten my point across. You, each and everyone of you, make a huge difference at these time to families suffering from loss, families who have loved ones serving in harms way and our service men and women at all points of the globe. We had one rider who heard from a family member that was serving in Japan, they had heard what was going on and called from overseas just to say THANK YO PGR! You, by your actions of Appreciation, Honor and Respect are touching Troops at all points of the world where our people serve.
GOD BLESS YOU ALL........................
If you can ride on Monday we are Honoring the 3000th Trooper who just lost his life in the current conflict. Please join us if you can. This family needs all the positive support they can get. Many in the media (not all) and others have done everything but, at this tragic time!
Lets show them they and their fallen son are truly Appreciated, Honored and Respected.
The thread for Monday's Mission is.............
http://www.patriotguard.org/Forums/tabid/61/forumid/11/tpage/1/view/topic/postid/366842/Default.aspx#367158
AND THE GUARD SAYS....... |
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U. S. NAVY (Ret) BMCM, VN - '65, '66 & '68, Just an OLD SALT!
REDWING 19: Honor Rider, May 2009
PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS - DEPUTY STATE CAPTAIN, (Retired) S.E. Texas, Senior Lead Ride Captain & Road Guard Captain & Missing Man Team Captain (HOUSTON TEXAS A.O.) (Retired)
RUN FOR THE WALL - SOUTHERN ROUTE: 2007 ROAD GUARD CAPTAIN, http://www.rftw.org
CUT-N-SHOOT H.O.G.:
RIDING IN MEMORY OF:
- TERRI FORD, Late Wife
- PAUL FIALA, RUN FOR THE WALL Brother
- WO3 GENE TINNIN U.S.NAVY (SEAL) VIETNAM,
- PO2 MIKEY MONSOOR NAVY (SEAL) M.O.H. AFGHANISTAN,
- PO2 MARC LEE U.S.NAVY (SEAL) M.O.H. IRAQ - - & My Friend JACK LUCAS (USMC - M.O.H. - IWO-JIMA - WWII) Who passed away June 08, God Bless You Jack, We'll Miss You!
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tneff
Posts: 178
Beasley , Texas
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| 06 Jan 2007 9:53 PM |
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I think you said it all Boomer , it was an honor to stand with you all again. Everyone did an awesome and HONERABLE job , you guys and gals are simply awesome. Many thanks to all that came from out of town to stand with us , respect knows no bounderies. To the group from Cut N Shoot , thanks for allowing me the honor of escorting you to the staging area.
Boomer , you know where the ladder is when you need it. :-) |
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Riding in honor of all of our hero's
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mustanger7up
Posts: 243
Sr. Ride Capt. Houston, Tx
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| 07 Jan 2007 3:49 AM |
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They say everything is bigger in Texas, and now I know it is No Brag, Just Fact! This was one Texas Sized Mission to say the least! Many many Thanks to everyone who took time from thier busy lives to come show support to the Given family on this overcast day. To have so many folks show up to Honor this Soldier and his family just shows me how big your hearts are. I stood in Awe as I watched riders pull up, and then more and then more and yes then more! Thankfully I was not the one having to count them all. Thank you to those who did.
The Folks in the community that stopped and stood along the side of Interstate 45, those on the over passes and along the feeder road holding flags, many standing there for hours as they showed thier own form of respect and honor for Pfc. Given and his family. It was indeed a sight for misty eyes as I led the non flag bikes ( estimated at over 180 ) to the Cemetary. Then as I went returned to the funeral home and saw cars and trucks stopped on the opposite side of Intersate 45, waiting for thier chance to show support for Pfc. Given's family only reaffirms my belief that Patriotism is no where near dead in Texas. Like the State Motto says, Don't Mess With Texas, it may need to be changed to, Don't Mess With Texans!
I asked if we could possibly have 2 Officers to help us get the non flag riders to the Cemetary, I got 8. Many thanks to the LEO's and others for all your help, You guys and Gals are without a doubt, True Americans!
There are too many to thank for what you did, and what you give up to do for these fine people Nationwide, not just in Texas. It is always my pleasure to see so many that I have met in the past year and come to love like my own family. To the over 30 First Time Riders that came out, I think your lives will never be the same after this, I know mine won't be. It is hard to imagine so many people from so many differant walks of life can come together and take direction with no complaints, no Fussin', No why do they do this or that and make it all work. Even when we have to change to Emergency Plan B before we put our kickstands down as we had to in the Cemetary with the No Flag Bikes. BOOMER and I had stopped and talked to the crew there that morning and said we expected 50 or so bikes to show, and parking was limited, and then to change plans at the spur of the moment to park over 200 and have it work like it did was just more proof that the Patriot Guard Riders can overcome and make it work.
Anything else I could say would only be redundant, other than I am so very proud to be a part of such a group and that you let me be a part of it! And yes I recieved my new road name to many of yours amusement and my own. God Bless You All and may he keep each and everyone of you safe.
*Hollywood*
Thank you Mr. Given for allowing me to take these Photos.
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/mustanger7up/album/576460762383049212#page1 |
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Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
Mark Twain |
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fastforward356
Posts: 21
Freeport Texas
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| 07 Jan 2007 6:20 AM |
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Hoo Yaa!! says it all from a Marines perspective OUTSTANDING! comes to mind first. I know now why we do this, its simple we like to cry...lol I am so very proud to be a part of this group. Words cannot descripe the way we feel. I read a patch yesterday that summed it up and it read " Never again will one generation of Vets forget the next generation of vets" I will forever live by these words. I am a vet and my son is serving today he will never forget the turnout of proud vets and outstanding civilans as we burried one his friends last week (Spc. Ford) It doesnt matter if the final count of bikes yesterday was one or 300 the support of others standing on the side of the roadway young and old showing respect was unbelievable it makes your chest swell up. After the services as we were leaving I waved at Scott Given and he proudly gave me back a fist pump now that made it all worth while he obviously was as proud of us as we were of him.
God bless the Givens family
God bless the USA
God bless the PGR |
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steeringcolumn
Posts: 5
LaPorte,TX
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| 07 Jan 2007 6:38 AM |
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| This was my 1st mission.
I have to say I was Very Impressed,to say the least!!
I'm looking forward to doing many more missions with this outstanding Group!!
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Bass_man
Posts: 14
Katy, Tx
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| 07 Jan 2007 8:10 AM |
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Seems the more of these missions I attend, it still does not get any easier.
To the family of Pfc. Nathaniel A. Given, thank you for for allowing us to attend and honor this hero.
I think Boomer and Hollywood have said all there is to say. The presentastion of the Challange Coins was a great touch.
Thank you to each and every one who participated in making this mission such a great success! |
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Chris "Bassman"
Ride Captain / Road Guard
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Boogette
Posts: 14
South Texas
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| 07 Jan 2007 9:13 AM |
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I was proud to be a part of this mission ride to honor one of our own, Pfc. Nathaniel Given.
Many thanks to Boomer and everyone else that made this another successful ride.
And many thanks to the Givin family for allowing me to take part in remembering their son.
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Only two defining forces have ever offered
to die for you:
1. Jesus Christ
2. The American G. I. |
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skw2258
Posts: 81
Beaumont, TX
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| 07 Jan 2007 9:13 AM |
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| It was an honor to stand tall and silent for PFC Given. Riding home in the rain and cold was a small price to pay for what PFC Givens gave for us.
Thanks to Boomer and all the Ride Captains for your dedication to seeing that this young soldier and his family was shown the proper respect.
Thanks to Flags and his lovely wife for always making sure the flags are at every service. You two rock!!
Thanks to the LEO for getting us their safely. I told one of them thank you and received the best gift in return.....a huge bear hug. WOW!!
At first I thought I was going to make this mission alone. Thanks to my PGR riders from Beaumont who were able to make this mission with me. I love you guys.
God bless the Givens family in the days ahead and God bless our troops.
Sandra |
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Sandra
Beaumont, TX Ride Captain
Director, Cowboy HOG Chapter #4974-Beaumont, TX
Treasurer, AVVA (Associates of Vietnam Veterans of America) Texas State Council
Riding in MEMORY of my Father, Howard R. Womack, SR WWII Army; former husband, Jim Riggs Vietnam Army; and
riding in HONOR of my Fiancee' Dave Williams US Army Desert Storm, nephew Cpl Austin G. Womack, US Marine Iraqi Freedom, Maj Andrew Stone, US Air Force, Pvt Justin Hare, US Army and all the Vietnam Veterans that never received a "Welcome Home" ride. |
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larrybomber83
Posts: 70
Dickinson, Texas
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| 07 Jan 2007 10:35 AM |
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I have found out that this mission was on the evening news. I have searched the local channels and cannot find the video. Who ever finds it, please supply the link.
Cheryl said that the family was really impressed with the amount of bikes that showed up. It did help them get thru this. The family was also impressed with all the civilians that had lined the road to the cemetary. I was impressed also.
Great to be associated with such a fine group of Patriotic Americans.
Larry Johnson |
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jhansen
Posts: 57
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| 07 Jan 2007 11:13 AM |
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| What a day! The show of support...the visor on my helmet kept fogging up, just like Boomers glasses. Thanks to Boomer and Kelly aka "hollywood" for the great job in managing this mission. 231 bikes will be a site that the family will not forget. the folks on the overpasses and folks standing on the feeder road and freeway showing their respects for the Given family will be something I will never forget. God Bless.l |
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mustanger7up
Posts: 243
Sr. Ride Capt. Houston, Tx
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| 08 Jan 2007 7:42 AM |
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The photos did not load for some reason here is the new link for the Services and Mission, my apologies to all!
http://new.photos.yahoo.com/mustanger7up/album/576460762383389654#page1 |
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Always do right. This will gratify some people and astonish the rest.
Mark Twain |
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Warbird
Posts: 5
Alvin, Tx
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| 08 Jan 2007 8:01 AM |
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First and foremost I want to extend my deepest feelings of appreciation and gratitude to the family for their service to the nation, and my sincerest expression of sorrow for the loss of young hero Nathaniel. My we somehow be found worthy of his sacrifice.
This was my first PGR ride. I joined up quite a while back, but I have not been able to make myself do that first ride. I wanted to, but my head and heart were filled with so much emotion each time, that I backed out and stayed home. I think it has to do with the fact that one of my own sons is in the Army right now serving in Iraq, and it is very hard to come to grips with all that these rides represent to me. Also, I have another son who lives here and is also a rider and PGR member. We have always tried to do our first PGR ride together, but cound never coordinate our own time together. So finally, I just felt I had to do this. Nathaniel had given everything he had. I could certainly give this much to honor his service.
I am so glad I came. My worst fears of a media circus did not materialze. There was no chaos. Even though there were probably over 300 riders there representing PGR (including 2-ups and cagees), it was completely dignified, orderly, and respectful. A huge thank-you goes out to those who organized the PGR for this event. Words cannot express.
As I stood there at the cemetary, holding the American flag gently wafting in the light swirling breeze, I found myself literally bathed in red white and blue as my own flag and the flags on my right and on my left alternately draped across my face. It was a baptism of glory, honor, and service. I have never felt more thankful for those who gave their all, than I did at that single moment in my life.
Later that evening, after riding home in the cold dark rain, I stripped off my wet leathers and joined the family in the living room to watch the end of the football game. The phone rang. It was a call from Iraq. My heart sank, and I was filled with dread. To my surprise, it was my son. He was OK. He just felt a need to call home. That was the first time he had called home since he deployed last August, but for some reason, on that day, at 4:30 in the morning (Iraq time), he got the urge to call home. We all chatted with him for almost an hour. I told him I appreciated his service. I couldn't bring myself to tell him how I had spent my day.
There are too many of these funerals. I hope and pray this will be the last one. But if it's not, I will do whatever I can to honor their sacrifice. |
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RideTheWind
Posts: 56
Katy Texas (Houston)
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| 08 Jan 2007 8:39 AM |
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For a year now I have tried to put to words what I see and feel at a mission. I always come up short on words - there are none that can really describe it. As I directed new arrivals into the proper row at the staging, I was fighting back the emotion as one more arrived, followed by a group of 6, then 3, then 10, then 5, then 8, and you keep coming. At the start of the mission breifing we had 155, which broke the record for a mission in the greater Houston area. There was at least another 30 that arrived during the breifing. then more arrived while we where starting up. I am not sure when each final person arrived after that to get us to the 231 count for bikes and 10 for cages. Later one of the police told me that we where 2 miles long on the way to funeral home. When we the family that we are coming we do not want to over estimate so we told them between 20 and 70. Your hearts are as big as Texas. This show of support touched the Given family very deeply. the presentation of the PGR callenge coin was extremly touching and then your Texas hearts came through again with the "Hooah".
I was escorting the hearse to the cemetery on its left flank and infront of the family limo. All of the people that stopped on the freeway, service road, over passes, gocart track and other buisness to show their respect and honor for this hero was overwhelming to me. With the such a showing of even more strangers a huge boost for the family. We all may have been strangers a week ago but we are all family now.
I wish each of you safe and warm travels.
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WindRider
PGR SETexas Bravo team Ride Captain
In memory of: Spc. Otis, TSgt.Moss Jr, LCpl. Perez, Pfc. Tribble, Sgt. Ramirez, PGR RC Griffith, SSgt. Baker, Lt. Bill Cunningham Jr, SFC Pugh,Sgt. Ulloa Jr, SSgt.Jenkins, USMC Buzzard Fiala, USMC Shane Goodman, USMC Ryan Miller, HPD/USMC Rodney Johnson, Cpl Benjamin Rosales, PO2 Chuck Welch Nave Retired, 1st Lt. David M. Fraser, LCpl. Luke Yepsen - Purple Heart, LCpl Stephen Morris, Pfc. Nathani Given, Spc Dustin Donica, PO Marquis Polidore
In Honor of: Gold Star Mom's, Cpl. Miguel Gallegos, SSgt Luu & 147th National Guard, Cpl Shawn Hixson 172nd Stryker Brigade - Purple Heart |
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