We are deeply saddened over the passing of our friend and former President, Bill "Snap" Lines. 

The Trademark Defense has no change in status, and we are continuing the mission each day.  I will write an information Letter early in February, but I'd like to reserve this month's in memory of a great communicator, veteran, patriot, and friend.  Though I've known Snap since the Patriot Express flag event in summer 2006, the words here will come from two folks who knew him better; AL SC Paul Reynolds and former Vice President Bonnie Perry. 

Please continue to post all condolences in the mission thread; but if you'd like to share anything more in Snap's memory, feel welcome to post any comments here.

 

SSG Bill "Snap" Lines

United States Army

Vietnam Veteran

In Country MC

PGR Past President

Montgomery, Alabama

 

It is with a very heavy heart to announce the passing of a truly great American Hero.  Our Hero, our Friend, our mentor passed away this afternoon after being involved in a motorcycle accident.  Bill "Snap" Lines was truly one of the finest Americans who ever graced this earth, and stood for all that stood for us.  Snap was returning from a mission in Georgia when he was involved in a motorcycle accident, and now he shall forever soar with eagles.  The passing of this Hero will be forever etched in the memory of all whoever met him, his smile, his grace, and a simple Thank You.  Snap never met a stranger, and never hesitated to Welcome a brother Vietnam Vet Home.  He will surely be missed by everyone, but we will always remember Him for his quest to make the PGR what it is today.

Snap was a highly decorated Warrior, serving in Vietnam from April 1967 to July 1968 with the Big Red 1.  Snap extended his tour so that he could return home with his long time friend Dusty. Snap also had a brother who did not return home from Vietnam, and this was the reason Snap chose to fight for his country.  SSG Lines Earned The Distinguished Service Cross for his Distinguished and Gallant Bravery in Vietnam.  Snap was also the recipient of 5 Bronze Stars (ALL with V for Valor), 2 Purple Hearts, 2 Army Commendation Medals, The Combat Infantryman Badge. Airborne Jump Wings, and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry and Numerous other Awards.  Snap was also put in for the Congressional Medal of Honor.  As you can see our friend was truly an American Hero.

Snap was married 27 years to a wonderful lady, and PGR member.  Linda was always at his side, and always stood with her flag beside him.  Linda and Snap had just celebrated their 27th wedding anniversary January 14th.  They were not just husband and wife, they were best friends. Linda was so lucky to have at her side her family, friends, ICVMC Brothers and wives, and PGR members several who traveled many miles to be with her.  Linda expresses her Thanks to all of you for your thoughts and prayers.

Snap was a member of the In Country Motorcycle Club, a club made up of only Vietnam Veterans.  Dave "Animal" Reed commented on Snap's dedication to the PGR, and how he advised no matter the weather he will make as many missions as possible.  Snap was also formerly a Honorary Member of the Blue Knights Alabama IV, although never a Police Officer, his respect for humanity gave him that position.  Snap was one of the most memorable PGR members ever, very seldom spoke, but when he did we all listened.  Snap believed in ole school PGR, show up, Stand with Flag, say Thank You and go home.  He served one year as President of the PGR, and was awarded the Silver Spoke Award by NCOM.  So my friends you see Snap loved the motorcycles, but most of all he loved his country.  Snap was a mentor to everyone.

The PGR has been invited to ride and stand in silent honor for this truly Great American hero.  The PGR will assist the ICVMC in honoring their Brother, and insuring that Snap gets the Parade he so much desired.  This is an Honor that only comes once in a life time, and my friends our time is now.  Although our time with Snap was cut way to short, the memories will last our life time.

Paul Reynolds, Alabama State Captain

 

---

Greatness doesn’t come in a self-described package.  It is based on what your peers, and others, think of you, how they remember you when you are gone.  Many of us knew Snap well, some of us knew him casually, some of us didn’t know him at all, but all of us have been touched by his influence in some manner or another.  Snap would be honored to know how many of you have been influenced (for the positive) by something he has said or done.  Most of all, however, he was honored to be a part of this great organization who has honored so many of our heroes.  Now it is our turn to honor Snap.

William “Snap” Lines; the “Snap” being a nickname that he is proud to call his own.  He will tell you really quick, with a sly grin and a twinkle in his eye, that he got that name because he “snaps” so easily.  If you didn’t know it could be true, you would never believe it.  Snap was a big, handsome, teddy bear of a man, who didn’t mince words.  He told you like it was; but you actually didn’t mind hearing it.  He didn’t know how to sugar coat anything, and he didn’t need to.  His very nature was enough sugar coating.  He was a man who spoke from his heart, a good heart, a heart that always put others before himself.  You didn’t earn respect from Snap; to him you deserved it until your actions proved otherwise.  He was an honorable man, and he believed everyone else to be just as honorable.  Your actions alone would determine how much respect he continued to hold for you; and he didn’t have a problem letting you know if, and when, something you had done had put that respect in jeopardy.  He would, however, let you know with the utmost respect, and he would continue to call you friend. 

Snap loved people, whether it was family, his ICVMC buddies, his PGR brothers and sisters, or our heroes and their families.  He showed how much he cared, and wasn’t hesitant about doing so.  When it came to his wife, Linda, well, we all knew how much he loved and adored her.  It’s hard to remember a single conversation with Snap when he didn’t throw in some comment about his beautiful baby, and how she takes such great care of him, and how much he loves her, and always back to how they met.  Such sweetness in such a strong person; but his love, especially of Linda, is what gave him his strength.

Snap never met a stranger.  He wasn’t shy about greeting a person, welcoming you aboard, or telling you if you were messing up.  He didn’t sit idly by and let others fix what was wrong, but he didn’t try to jump in and take control either.  Everyone remembers him as a great leader; but what made him so great was his ability to see, and to guide, and show others how to fix the problem.  If Snap saw something that needed fixed, he offered his two cents, and usually it was so right, you wanted the whole buck; but he would never give it to you.  Snap knew he wasn’t perfect; he knew he wasn’t all knowing; and he didn’t even think he was close; but he knew he was wise enough to see through the smoke and mirrors, and he readily shared that wisdom.  He offered solutions, helped troubleshoot problems, and was such a great peacemaker that everyone was eager to listen to what he had to say.  Snap didn’t have a selfish, self-serving bone in his body.  He did nothing for credit; he didn’t expect credit, and most of all, he didn’t WANT credit.  He didn’t care what you thought of him; he didn’t care who you were; he just cared about doing the right thing for the mission and for our heroes.  When the slogan “do the right thing” was penned for the PGR, no one knew it would eventually come to describe the person who would later become such a beloved member of our ranks. 

Snap also didn’t know the meaning of the word “I.”  When talking about his leadership in the PGR, it was always about the team; all of us – the PGR.  Okay, every now and then, you would hear Snap mention himself – he would say something like “I cried,” “I was humbled,” “I saw honor given today.”  Snap was all about “The Mission;” the mission of honoring those who gave all.  He loved them all, because he knew firsthand what sacrifices they made for the rest of us.

Yes, he himself was a great hero, but you would have to find that out for yourself.  Some of you may still remember the day we learned of his own military career.  Another organization was in the process of vetting out our leaders to ensure the PGR’s integrity.  Man, when they got a load of Snap’s integrity…well, let’s just says, that was the end of that.  Before that time, none of us knew of Snap’s recognition as a hero to so many others.  He just didn’t tell us; it wasn’t something that he felt was important to what we did; he wasn’t there to be honored, he was there to honor others.  It wasn’t about him.  What we do isn’t about us.  Snap made those statements hundreds of times since the inception of our mission.  He personified the meaning of them by living it every day in honor of our heroes. 

If you want to honor Snap today, nothing would make him happier than to see others following his example.  Doing the Right Thing and staying focused on the mission.  That’s all you have to do; that’s all he ever did, and it’s what he resolved to be better at this year, if that was possible.  Take a look at the icon he has become to us all.  We all loved Snap; he will live on in our memories, and his example has influenced enough of us that we can continue to make the PGR stronger than ever.  That would honor Snap most of all.

Bonnie Perry, former Vice President, Patriot Guard Riders

My Brothers and Sisters of the Patriot Guard Riders,

One of my heroes is gone and I am very sad today.

Not often do we have the opportunity to even meet, much less grow close with, one of our heroes. I had that opportunity. I’m glad for it but it makes the hurt sting more.

When I joined the Patriot Guard Riders we were all just feeling our way. Not one of us knew how to do what we were supposed to do. We just read the mission statement and tried to make sure everything we did complied with it. There were some people who stood out though. Men and women who others would turn to for advice.

One of those was a man I only knew as Snap. He was one of our early Ride Captains down in Alabama. All I really knew of him I learned from reading his posts on the Patriot Guard web site. He seemed to just instinctively know the right thing to do. I read what Snap had to say and tried my best to learn from him.

I joined the PGR on 26 December, 2005. I went from member to Ride Captain to South Carolina State Captain in just over three months. I didn’t know what I was doing and I realized it. Yet, I wanted the PGR to succeed at every turn and I was fully aware that if it did that I had to be a success as a leader.

There came a day when I made a decision at a mission. It was a heavy decision that I had to make in the blink of any eye. Later, I began to wonder if I’d decided correctly. It worried me. I decided I needed to talk with someone about it……….someone I trusted.

With a little effort I found out that the man I knew only as Snap was named Bill Lines and someone gave me his number. I called him seeking reassurance that I’d done the right thing. I just needed to hear that from someone I believed knew what he right thing was.

“What are you asking me for?”………..that was Snap’s response. “You’re the State Captain. It’s your call. Quit second guessing yourself. If you have a tough decision in front of you just make your call to the best of your ability and move on. Someone had enough confidence in you to put you in that position. Now it’s time to have confidence in yourself.”

I took that advice and quit second guessing. Some decisions were easy and some were tough but I never looked back again. Nearly a year later I happened to be talking with Snap about some PGR issues. As we were saying good bye Snap suddenly said “By the way, it was the right call.” Huh? He was talking about my moment of indecision. He said he knew it was the right call that night. He just wanted me to have confidence in myself and not need his approval. That’s the kind of leader Snap was.

Snap eventually found himself in a position of national leadership within the PGR. Many, many patriots have joined our ranks since those days and you don’t remember Snap as the president of the PGR but know this: There was a moment in late 2006 when the existence of this organization was in serious jeopardy. There were a handful that helped guide us through that moment but the one with his hand on the rudder was my old friend Snap.

He had health issues and he crashed a bike last year but he was the kind of man you couldn’t imagine actually going down and not getting back up. I’d call him now and then just to talk. He never wavered about what he thought this organization should be about. His confidence in my ability has served as an anchor to me since our first conversation in the Spring of 2006.

I received a call the day Snap died. I was told that he probably would not make it through the day. Oddly enough, I was on my way to a funeral when I got that call. I cried all the way there, trying to imagine a Patriot Guard without a Snap.
Then it dawned on me. Snap was a friend and he was a warrior. He fought for the right way, the honorable way. And he was a mentor and teacher to any who could realize that. He taught us how to honor the fallen and how to trust our gut in doing that. He led by his example.

We have to take that example and that warrior spirit and pass it down to those who come after us. We all owe the Old Warrior. We must take what we learned by his example and teach others by ours.

Snap has closed his eyes for the last time. He won’t ride again in this life. Taps will be blown. A flag will be folded. The old soldier will rest. But if we do what he wanted Snap will not die. Every time a family in grief looks out from under a funeral tent and sees a wall of red, white and blue…….a part of Snap will be there and very much alive. May we all take what we have learned and show others the way.

And Snap…………..my mentor and my friend……….as you have said to me many times………”Ride safe Buddy”

Oh………..one more thing about Snap. Something I didn’t know until long after I’d come to highly respect him. From the beginning there was something special about the man. It took years for me to learn what it was. Keep reading. You’ll understand.

Steam


William Lines, Jr., Sergeant, United States Army

Distinguished Service Cross

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918 (amended by act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Sergeant William Lines, Jr. (ASN: RA-19898081), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations involving conflict with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam, while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 1st Battalion, 28th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 1st Infantry Division. Sergeant Lines distinguished himself by exceptionally valorous actions 7 May 1968 as a platoon sergeant on a reconnaissance-in-force mission near the village of Thu Duc. He was leading his platoon to the aid of a friendly element which had engaged a numerically superior Viet Cong force. His unit was suddenly subjected to a heavy volume of enemy automatic weapons and machine gun fire as it entered the contested area. Although wounded by the fusillade, Sergeant Lines deployed his men in defensive positions and repeatedly exposed himself to the enemy barrage as he moved among them to direct their suppressive fire. As the Viet Cong intensified their attack, he advanced upon their emplacements, destroying them with accurately thrown hand grenades and bursts of rifle fire. He then rallied his men and led an assault on the communist positions, personally slaying two enemy snipers in close combat. When air support was called for, Sergeant Lines led a squad to an extreme forward position to direct an intense volume of fire upon the enemy, enabling two other elements to withdraw and evacuate their wounded. Through his bravery, the lives of many fellow soldiers were saved and the Viet Cong were totally defeated. Sergeant Line's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, his unit, and the United States Army.

snap will be saddly missed

Thank you Bonnie, Paul, and Randy for what you have written. We have lost not only a friend and a leader, we have lost a damn good man...

Labor Day weekend 2006 - Members of the PGR from Texas, Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, Tennessee, and Florida met at Deal's Gap to spend some fun time together. It was the first, Unofficial Gathering at the Gap.

Snap and I had put together the ride plan for the fist day, Mike "Deltoid" Bland put it together for the second day. Most of us met on top of Fontana Dam to kick off the first day. We rode the twelve miles from there over to Deal's Gap Motorcycle resort to meet the Tennessee crew and a few others. Annette "Dreamcatcher" Robeck had a turn signal burnt out. We had one new member who had never done anything with the PGR join us that morning, John "SmokyMTNSporty" Deniakis who was local to the area. After some discussion we decided to alter our plans. Snap would lead us across Deal's gap. Once we got down to the Foothills Parkway, John would take the lead and get us over to Maryville HD to get Annette's turn signal fixed. John told us we would go about halfway across the Foothills Parkway then take a back road the locals call "The Worm" down into Maryville.

The ride down The Worm was damned interesting to say the least. I think my headlight and taillight were looking each other square in the eye on a couple of the switchbacks. We managed to make it down the mountain without incident. Some said they would never ride that road again. When we got down into town, Sporty made a wrong turn or two forcing a group of twenty or so bikes to do U-Turns on a divided road in Saturday traffic. We manage to roll into Maryville HD as a group.

Snap pulled me aside when we got there for a little one on one. He grinned that grin of his while we discussed how lost "Sporty" was there for a while. He looked at me and said something to the effect of, "he needed to be a leader today. He'll be with us for a long, long time" and the grin broke into a smile and a bear hug.

When we went down last year, Snap called every morning to check to "make sure his buddy was OK". I got the chance to do the same for him after he went down coming back from D.C..

Snap knew people. I never knew him to let his ego (if he had one) get in the way of his ability to lead. He understood that value of "please" and "thank you". I miss him terribly already. I will do exactly what I know he would want me to do. Keep the focus on the mission, keep putting one foot in front of the other, and when decisions need to be made just ask, what is the right thing to do...

We'll be riding up to Montgomery Wednesday. We'll be carrying all who can't make it in our hearts...

Many kind words and precious memories....this is what a lot of us have when Snap comes to mind. I, too, have my precious memories that will live in my heart forever. This man was a Hero, a living breathing Legend in so many ways.

In September 2006, Snap asked me to be a State Captain at a very bad time in the State of Florida. The State was in a turmoil. I'm sure that I was a real "pest", calling and asking questions and opinions, but this gentle giant always had sage advise for me. He was a person that never "told" anyone what to do....instead he gently led me to make the right decisions on my own.

My heart aches for Miss Linda. She was so generous to share her soulmate, her best friend, her husband with us, and share she did! I can't remember seeing Snap without his beautiful Linda at his side. She told me this morning that he consulted with her on many things, and ultimately his decision was always "do what is the right thing to do". Thank you, Linda, for sharing this great man. You, my dear, are a GREAT woman. I'll walk at your side always, be it in thought or in fact. Just say the word, and I'm there!

Rest in peace my dear dear friend and mentor.....and WELCOME HOME! I'll see you down the road.

The Patriot Guard Riders have lost a GREAT LEADER. My sorrow overwhelms me.

IT IS WITH HEAVY HEART I AM WRITTING THIS. HAVEN RIDDEN WITH SNAP ON SEVERAL MISSIONS ONE COULD SEE THE TYPE OF MAN HE WAS & I FEEL VERY HONORED IN HAVING THE PLEASURE OF EVEN MEETING HIM. GOD SPEED TO HIS WIFE, FAMILY, & ALL FRIENDS.

STANDING BY.

From the Hills and Dells
on Highway and Byways
We gather together again

A Mission that is
Different than most
A Special HERO to Us

A Patriot Guard Leader
Vietnam Decorated Hero
Mentor and Friend to all

Cherished by Family and Friends
Loved and adored by his Linda
His Love Companion WIFE

We will ride with PRIDE for
William SNAP Lines jr
"IT'S THE RIGHT THING TO DO"

I miss you more each minute

Ancient 1 Nick Petty

although i never met Snap, i am in awe of all that i have read since his passing. he was true American HERO in so many ways. his wisdom got Patriot Guard Riders through some tough times in our beginning. but he kept the peace aand kept us moving forward.
The Great Spirit will greet him with comforting arms.
calamityjane

It will be my Honor to Stand for this Hero!

To the family and friends of Bill "Snap" Lines, I extend my sincere condolences. I did not have the pleasure to meet him in this life, but I read his bio...he was REAL. He made a positive difference in a lot of people's lives, and that is what it's all about. May his memory and vision live on.
Angela Houstn

I was moved by this true AMERICAN HERO..not only what he did in country but what he did back home.Snap RIP brother and Welcom Home.

Our prayers and thoughts are with the family and friends of this hero. All Snap has done for the PGR and Veterans will never be forgotten. There should be more people like Snap. May God Bless and rest in peace.
John Luke and Margaret Matthews

Please accept my deepest sympathy.

Please accept my deepest sympathy.

I stand, flag in hand, in the memory of Bill Snap.
It's hard when we lose one of our own, one of The VERY Good Guys.

Standing By in Honor for PGR Member Bill Snap
Mitch Laing
Sonoma County California

RIP Brother

My condolences to the family of Bill "Snap" Line, his work with the PGR and his service to our country, we will be forever grateful. May he rest in peace.

My deepest and sincere sympathies and condolences go out to the family, friends and brothers and sisters of the PGR of Bill "Snap" Line. Although I never met him, reading about him has been an honor and is a testament of the man he was. He sounds like such a wonderful man, he left this world too soon. I will be standing in his flag line in my heart. I am forever gratetful for your service to our Country so that we may all be free. You are a true American Hero - R.I.P. Snap.

Though I never met you. all I heard were great comments of admiration and of your friendship, Your guidence was plain and simple, I wish I could have known you and benn there to stnd the line for you! God keep you Snap, I meeet you in the future. Ride free, and with God your bro's are waiting!

My condolences to Linda and the family of Bill "Snap" Lines .I thank for your service to this great nation of ours and your leadership in the PGR.

Not having had the extreme pleasure of meeting you or talking to you in person is, most certainly, my loss.

You have my utmost thanks and respect for all you did for the PGR and those you stood to Honor and Respect.

Thank you, Snap. May you rest in honored peace.
Respects,
Joe Cumblidge
WV State Captain

It was my privilege, and tremendously heart rending, to stand for Snap yesterday. It is also my privilege to call him friend and brother. Heck, a lot of times he was more like a father as well. Snap had snapped with me on more than one occasion and I deserved it. He never wavered however, in his friendship and mutual respect we had for each other.

I will miss this man dearly. I thank God I had the privilege of knowing him and having him in my life.
I'm also very thankful of the assistance and leadership he provided when we were just getting PGR cranked up.

Thank you brother for everything. I miss you and love you. Ride Free, Rest In Peace. You've more than earned it.

My heart breaks for all of those whom he touched. I am deeply saddened by the loss of yet another Hero. Bless him and his family. I will be thinking of you all.

"Snap" was the most respected and beloved member within the ranks of the PGR as well as other organizations. Unfortunately, we lost him way too soon but the things he taught us will stay with us the rest of our lives. "Snap" never had a second thought when it came time to do the right thing. His great courage was proved both on and off the fields of battle and I deeply regret that those who never met him will never will. Perhaps the best compliment I have seen posted on "Snap" is "he was old-age Patriot Guard. He believed in going to the mission, holding the flag and then going home." He set a standard for the rest of us try to live up to. Thank you "Snap" and we will reunite again in a few years but if you don't mind I'm going to try and prolong our reunion as long as possible.

Roll into the thunder, and into the night, and fear not, for HE is by your side.
I am proud to ride with the same organization as this HERO,,,,R.I.P. "Snap"

I never had the pleasure to meet Snap but from his postings, what I have heard about him, I can tell it is my loss that I never had the pleasure.
Deepest condolences to his family and friends and heart felt thanks for his service both in the military and after. Ghost

I'm so sorry of hearing the sad news of the passing of Brother Snap. I send my condolence to the Family of Snap. All of you are in my Prays. And i Pray for you VietVet Brother.

Snap, Our paths never crossed but your service touched my life. In enternal gratitude, Joni Inman, Colorado

To Linda and the family and friends of Snap, my deepest condolences come your way. Although he would be considered a stranger to me by most, I almost feel like I know him by the posts of others and he was a fellow PGR and Veteran. Rest in sweet, eternal peace, my friend, sweet, sweet peace, and know you will never be forgotten because you will be forever in our hearts.

Snap has been sent to his eternal home now. . . and the impact of his passing, with some, will leave a hollow void in their hearts. Although I've never personally met the man, I've known him and many others just like him him all my adult life. Men of few words and their actions and accomplishments stand the test of time. It is my hope that Snap's legacy will continue to influence and mentor the PGR Organization, the current and future BoD(s) that are in place and are stewards of this grass roots organization of Honor and Respect...

Sorry to hear of Bills passing I served with 1st div 1/28 A co. March 1967- March 1968. Ross Williams rcwilliamsx1@hotmail.com

My Condolences to the family and friends..

RIP Snap
<___________>

My condolences to the Family and Friends of Bill. He will be missed by all.

my sincerest sympathy. Always sad to see an American hero who had survived a terrible war die doing what he loved to do. RIP fellow brother
- GreyGhost MD Chaptor-PGR