DAY 1

The ride started out at 6:00 am for Bunny and me on December 10th as we got in our truck and headed north to Augusta to meet up with fellow PGR members Don and Lynn to head up to Harrington.  It took us about 3 hours or so to reach our destination.  When we arrived there was a huge American flag flying and media people everywhere.  I didn't know that they were all waiting for me to get there so they could interview me.

When we arrived Joe Pepin had already met with the owner and had a handle on what was expected of the PGR.  I met with Mr. Worcester and his people and went over some of the details and soon they had me up on the stairs with microphone addressing the media and all the people that were there.

The line up was Bunny and I in our truck the family van, Joe's truck the motorcycles, yes we had two bikes even though it was very cold, and then the 18 wheeler with Cruzier riding in the rear, and of course the fire dept out front.

The escort was slated to leave at noon and to my amazement we left on time.  When we started in Harrington we had about 10 fire trucks escorting us down Rt 1.  Also I had CBS and NBC cameramen in the back of my truck filming our departure.  Along the route we had people waving flags and holding up many signs wishing us luck on our mission.  As the lead escort vehicle my responsibility was the safety of the vehicles in our caravan.  Cruzier noticed a car passing people on the right and cutting some of us off. Well Bunny got on the phone with the police and soon this person was pulled over.  We then found out it was the CBS crew trying to take pictures. As we headed south Maine PGR members joined in with us at various locations.  One of our stops was Moody's Diner right on Rt 1 to hand out the first wreath, after a short stop we proceeded to Freeport.

I should mention that as we headed south fire departments would peel off and others would join us along with the police.  As we got closer to Freeport I received my firs of many calls from Mr. Worcester.  He told me the police are going to slow us down because we couldn't get to Freeport until 6:00 pm so we slowed and proceeded slowly into Freeport.  When we were getting close to LL Bean Bunny and I couldn't"t believe the reception that awaited the caravan.  On the street there must have been a couple hundred people lining both sides of the street holding candles.   As we approached they started clapping and cheering (very emotional for us).  The LL Bean Comapny had a little ceremony for the family and after fed the whole town a beans and hot dog dinner.  The family retired for the night and the three of us (Bunny, myself and Joe decided we would also stay the night and continue on in the morning to New Hampshire.

DAY 2

We had breakfast with the family today, they are really excited on what the day is going to bring we arrived at the where the wreath truck was parked at 6:15, there was already a TV crew there waiting to interview me and Mr. Worcester.  The police escort arrived right on time and so did all the PGR members.  Some on bikes some in cages.  After Mr. Worcester had his interview we all mounted up and left by 7:00 am for our trip to Portsmouth, NH.

Today like yesterday we were staying on Rt 1 all the way to Kittery then out onto Rt 95 and into NH to meet up with th  NH escort.  What a sight when we came around the rotary and saw all the bikes and cages waiting for us.  The hand off took a little time because Mr. Worcester and his family had to meet everyone.  Great job NH for making the turnover so effortless.  Some of the Maine escort decided to stay on to go to the next stop and joined in with NH.  We left the liquor store with the NH LEO leading us south to meet up with the Mass escort.  Great Job NH.

We met up with the Mass escort a short time later.  Mr. Worcester informed the Mass escort leaders he had a live radio interview and our departure will be delayed a short time.  When he was finished we had a ride meeting and lined up to leave.  Again some people from the other states decided to stay on to the next staging area.  The Mass LEO led us out to Rt 95 and then onto Rt 1 south of Boston what a job they did getting us to our next staging area.  Great Job Mass.

We met up with the Rhode Island escort people at the Emerald Mall.  What a sight when we pulled in, there had to be about 80 bikes waiting for us.  The family asked Bunny if they were more of her friends.  After a short break for the family to meet all the RI people we lined up and headed out with th RI LEO leading us to the RI State House.  Again some of the people from other states decided to stay on until the next stop.  Upon arrival at the State House a Vet group honored the Worcester family with a short ceremony.  Again we lined up and headed south for the hotel the family will be staying at for the night. Again the LEO's did a great job.  After a short ride we arrived at the motel in Conn.  The family said good-by to everyone and this is when they asked Bunny, me and Joe if we would go all the way to Arlington with them.  As a group we were honored and decided that if we didn't go we would spend along time wondering why, so we said OK.  After family got their things in their rooms a group of us went to Dinner with the family.  That's when the family showed how generous they are.  Nobody new it but Mr. Worcester picked up the check for us all.  Great Job Rhode Island.

DAY 3

About 6:00 am PGR starting showing up at the staging area on their bikes, then the CT Flags club started showing up in their trucks covered with flags.  The family looked a little tired but very excited on what this day would bring.  Mr. Worcester and his family tried to meet everyone that was there that day before we left.  Joe met with the ride captains to explain how we have been traveling with the family and Conn escort people lined us up accordingly.  The route today was Rt 1 all the way thru Conn on Rt 1. Conn LEOs on bikes and local LEO's provided escort.  On our way to our next staging area we went by a elementary school and all the kids were out standing at attention and saluting us. Also fire stations were out and at one point we had a 1964 police car leading us.  What a ride thru New Haven, Bridgeport and other CT cities on Rt 1 the LEO's did a great job getting us thru all the traffic.  When we stopped for a rest the family was so impressed how organized the ride had been and how the LEO's handled traffic.  Again we headed out on our way to meet the NY escort.  We pulled into the staging area to meet our NY escort and have lunch.  Great Job CONN.

After a short break and the family meeting everyone, including Miss Conn we mounted up and headed out to NJ.  On this part of the trip we got on Rt 95 and then the cross Bronx expressway heading to the George Washington Bridge.  As we crossed into NY we picked up the NY LEO's who brought us to the GWB.  Also we didn't know it at the time but two NY riders were going to be with us for the rest of the trip (Bill, Tibbs).  Great job NY.

Because of traffic the front escort with the family got separated from the Wreath Truck.  As we crossed over the bridge we were picked up by the NJ part of the escort who led us down Rt 95.  We had to stop at on the the NJ rest areas to refuel and wait for the truck to catch up.  Soon we were all together again, and the NJ State Police escorted us to Morrisville, Penn to our hotel.  Great Job NJ.

DAY 4

As we all met for breakfast the family was very excited, Mr. Worcester and his wife went outside to meet all the Penn escort people.  Very impressed with amount of bikes that keep showing up in the cold and rain to ride with us.  We met with the ride captains and as usual Joe handled explaining what worked up to that point and where the family van likes to  be.  We met with Motor Officer Bradford of the Penn State Police who would be our escort down to Philadelphia.  We all lined up and headed out Rt 1. What a great line up of trucks, cars and bikes all with flags heading south to Philly.  As we approached the city the Philadelphia Motorcycle Drill Team took over the escort and brought us right thru the city in record time.  There is know way to describe what an incredible job they did providing this escort thru some very tough areas of the city.  After we made it thru the city we stopped for a rest and lunch. I got to talk to Officer Bradford, he is an Iraq Vet and shed some tears when I explained why Mr. Worcester is doing this and what we experienced along the way.  After lunch we headed south to Maryland to pick up the Maryland escort.  Great Job PENN.

We met with the Maryland escort about 5 miles into Maryland.  Again what a sight to see so many people waiting to help with the escort.  Again Joe explained what the best way was to line us up and the Maryland people agreed so we all lined up and headed south to Baltimore Harley Davidson Shop where they had a big lunch waiting for us.  As always the Worcester family met with everyone and couldn't believe the generosity of the Harley shop.  We departed and headed south down Rt 95 towards our hotel for the night.  The escort brought to a fire house where the fire dept washed the Wreath Truck and stood guard all night.  They brought us all to our hotels and said they would see us in the morning.  At this point we were only 12 miles away from our destination Arlington National Cemetery.  This night the family stayed a a different hotel so they could meet up with the rest of their family coming in from Maine.  Great Job MARYLAND.

DAY 5

The day started with very thick fog as we all met at the truck to stage for our trip into Washington DC.  At first the ride captains were concerned about our police escort however everything would work out just fine.  Joe again worked with the local ride captains to make sure the line up was what the family wanted and with everyone in  agreement we headed to Arlington.  We all decided to only go 15 mph so we could stay together thru a crowded DC area.  As we approached DC a wonderful lady officer took over our escort and led us fearlessly thru the very crowded streets of When we arrived at Arlington they took the truck and family in and then brought the rest of us in another way.  We all parked and met up with the family at the site we were going to lay the wreaths on.  I don't think any of us knew how big this thing really was, there had to be a least 5 to 6 hundred people here to lay the wreaths, also every news person the the DC area was there also.  They had a news conference set up for the family and Mr. Worcester addressed the crowd.

Then Mrs. Worcester addressed the crowd and thanked the Patriot Guard for a great escort from Maine to Arlington.  My wife and I were given the opportunity to address the media to wish our son who was stationed in Bosnia a happy birthday (he is home now, he came home two weeks early).  Now it was time to lay the wreaths. Everyone was able to lay a wreath and show respect.  The Worcesters also had some special wreaths to lay first was at the grave of former US Senator Ed Muskie, next at the Kennedy grave site.  This was very special for Bunny, Joe and me. Bunny was given the honor of placing the wreath on Jackie Kennedy Onassis grave and I was given the honor of placing a wreath on their sons grave.  After that Joe and I placed a wreath on Bobby Kennedy's grave, and then we saluted him, very emotional at this point.  Then we headed to the USS Maine Memorial where we met up with Sgt O'Mally from the Scarborough, Me police who helped with the escort from LL Bean to Portsmouth a few days earlier.  He was given the honor of placing the wreath on the memorial.  Then we all went to the Tomb of the Unknown where the Worcesters had four more wreaths placed during a very somber ceremony.  Our job was done and as Joe, Bunny and I were getting ready to leave and head back to Maine the Worcesters asked us to join them for lunch.  We had a great lunch and listened to them talk about the week we just had.  Great job MARYLAND AND VIRGINIA!!!!

I would like to take this opportunity to voice some personnel thoughts.

First off let me tell you about a dear friend who started out with us in Harrington, Me.  Joe Pepin was already organizing everyone when I first arrived in Harrington and his leadership continued throughout the ride.  Without Joe this ride never would have gone a smooth as it did.  He was always there for the family and for me and Bunny.  We laughed and we cried together as w headed south from Harrington. Joe is a very special person and the Worcester family told me they really enjoyed his humor and wit and his company.  Thanks Joe you are a great American.

Second I would like to thank my wife Bunny.  Her job was to man the phones and CB so everything would run smooth.  At one point I looked over at her she had two phones going the CB and a two way radio.  Bunny became the family's right hand person on this trip always checking that things were the way they wanted it.  They got used to her jumping out of the truck at every stop explaining what was happening and how long a break we were taking etc.  My wife is a very special person.  We have been together for 18 years but never closer than on this trip.  Thanks Bunny for a great trip.

Third how do you thank the many people that made this trip what it was.  As I was writing this report it kept getting longer and longer but it could be twice as long if I included everything that is in my heart.  Also I hardly ever mentioned the Patriot Guard and the reason is this ride was not about the Patriot Guard, it was about Mr. Worcester and his family and the wreaths for our fallen soldiers.  I know how much time and energy went into the planning of this ride with the escorts, police, fire dept. etc.  As I was reading the threads leading up to the ride and all the frustrations in trying to organize such a large undertaking I just knew everything would run as smooth as it did.  To the Patriot Guard Riders of America those that rode with us and those who rode in spirit with us, thank you.  The Worcester family thanks you from the bottom of their hearts.  JOB WELL DONE!!

Well I have snuck in here to write something about my husband John.  First of all I want to thank you for your service to your country.  You got drafted at a young age and took an oath to pay the ultimate sacrifice if need be.  You did an outstanding job on this escort introducing the Worcester family to our fellow PGR members and working with Joe for the procession to continue on safely and efficiently.  The tears we shed this week made us closer than ever.  Great job and thanks for a wonderful, safe trip.

John & Bunny O'Leary
Patriot Guard Riders
Norway, Maine