Monty Posted April 27, 2012 #1 Posted April 27, 2012 Finally went on my 1st Patriot Guard mission today. Got rained on too, but it was worth it. It felt great to honor a Brother, and his family. Glad we could be there for them. Been a member for over a year and a half, but between working swing shifts, and all the short notices, I haven't made one until today.
GolfVenture Posted April 27, 2012 #2 Posted April 27, 2012 Yes it is an honor. My first was a Hospitally Misson in helping a young Veteran's Widow move. My 2nd just a Flag Line at the Church, and most recently this last weekend did a KSU. Being such a rookie I learn that KSU meant Kick Stand Up. We rode to the church in a group. It was for a young US Marine who was on his last mission in Afgan, and he had only 1 month left before he was to get out. It was a very tough one for my wife and I, for my son, Tye, Army SF, got his orders for his 4th tour to Afgan and when he returns, he plans to exit after 10 year. I take him to Fort Lewis this Wednesday.
Aussie Annie Posted April 28, 2012 #3 Posted April 28, 2012 Yes it is an honor. My first was a Hospitally Misson in helping a young Veteran's Widow move. My 2nd just a Flag Line at the Church, and most recently this last weekend did a KSU. Being such a rookie I learn that KSU meant Kick Stand Up. We rode to the church in a group. It was for a young US Marine who was on his last mission in Afgan, and he had only 1 month left before he was to get out. It was a very tough one for my wife and I, for my son, Tye, Army SF, got his orders for his 4th tour to Afgan and when he returns, he plans to exit after 10 year. I take him to Fort Lewis this Wednesday. May your son return safely to his family and friends. Please thank him for his service
Zfrebird4 Posted April 28, 2012 #5 Posted April 28, 2012 ... thanksgiving for what your son is doing for our country, and for you both during this tme of his service. Jack T
Kirby Posted April 28, 2012 #6 Posted April 28, 2012 Finally went on my 1st Patriot Guard mission today. Got rained on too, but it was worth it. It felt great to honor a Brother, and his family. Glad we could be there for them. Been a member for over a year and a half, but between working swing shifts, and all the short notices, I haven't made one until today. Hey Monty, I know how you feel. I've only been a member for a couple of months and feel bad sometimes cause work gets in the way. As a matter of fact, after I get off at 0600, I intend to go to a funeral over in Cordele, GA which is only about an hour from my home. I try to catch those closest to me. So far, I've only made four. All have been after pulling 10 hour shifts and have to be back at work the next night. Just wish I could do more sometimes.
TimRobertson06 Posted April 28, 2012 #7 Posted April 28, 2012 I have recently joined the PGR and have been trying to find time to go on a mission. Being an OEF/OIF Vet my self the first time I seen PGR escort a fallen soilder of base I knew it was something that I wanted to be part of. For some of the more experienced members out there I was wondering what you need to bring to the missions Flags......? I don't want to show up the odd man out or even worse disrespectful. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Kirby Posted April 28, 2012 #8 Posted April 28, 2012 Tim, the only thing that I know of to bring with you on a PGR mission is respect for the fallen and family. I asked the same kind of questions when I joined. Wear what you would normally wear when out riding. Most of the road captains usually have extra flags in my state. Most of the time there is a flag wagon that hauls extra flags, water, and maybe someone will bring along some cookies if it is a long ride. I would suggest you bring along some bottled water and maybe a snack if you want. Oh, and one other thing. Dark sunglasses. Check with your PGR in your state. Someone should be able to answer any and all your questions. They'll usually assign someone to be a mentor for you until you learn the ins and outs.
Patrolman46 Posted April 28, 2012 #9 Posted April 28, 2012 We have a really fun "ESCORT" next Thursday. We are escorting 6 van loads of WWII Vets to DIA airport in Denver, CO for their flight to view the WWII Memorial in Washington, DC. Escort starts in Alliance, NE and winds through W Nebraska, E Colorado picking up escort riders & Vets along the way. Then we get to spend the evening with the Vets at the Hotel before they fly out Friday morning. GREAT chance for us to THANK them for their SERVICE to our country.
radian Posted April 28, 2012 #10 Posted April 28, 2012 Tim, the only thing that I know of to bring with you on a PGR mission is respect for the fallen and family. I asked the same kind of questions when I joined. Wear what you would normally wear when out riding. Most of the road captains usually have extra flags in my state. Most of the time there is a flag wagon that hauls extra flags, water, and maybe someone will bring along some cookies if it is a long ride. I would suggest you bring along some bottled water and maybe a snack if you want. Oh, and one other thing. Dark sunglasses. Check with your PGR in your state. Someone should be able to answer any and all your questions. They'll usually assign someone to be a mentor for you until you learn the ins and outs. Tim, Like Kirby said, just bring the respect and honor you already have for the soldier and family. Same riding gear. Most of the time, here in East Texas, some will post that they will be at 'so-and -so' place and KSU (Kick stands up) at a certain time, to head to the staging point for the mission. Lots of times those meets are where you can get you a gatorade, water, or small snack for later too. Sometimes, water and snacks may be donated to the mission for you to have. Also, besides the dark sunglasses, bring suntan lotion! and maybe a cap. Ride safe Tim!
FuzzyRSTD Posted April 28, 2012 #11 Posted April 28, 2012 Finally went on my 1st Patriot Guard mission today. Got rained on too, but it was worth it. It felt great to honor a Brother, and his family. Glad we could be there for them. Been a member for over a year and a half, but between working swing shifts, and all the short notices, I haven't made one until today. Good for you Monty. Best feeling in the world to be able to honor the honorable. Thank you. Yes it is an honor. My first was a Hospitally Misson in helping a young Veteran's Widow move. My 2nd just a Flag Line at the Church, and most recently this last weekend did a KSU. Being such a rookie I learn that KSU meant Kick Stand Up. We rode to the church in a group. It was for a young US Marine who was on his last mission in Afgan, and he had only 1 month left before he was to get out. It was a very tough one for my wife and I, for my son, Tye, Army SF, got his orders for his 4th tour to Afgan and when he returns, he plans to exit after 10 year. I take him to Fort Lewis this Wednesday. Hope he returns safely my friend, our prayers and thoughts are with and for you all. Please thank him for me, for serving our country. Fuzzy :thumbsup2:
hunter 1500 Posted April 28, 2012 #12 Posted April 28, 2012 I've been a member since 2006 and have been on many missions. Our VT state capt has a bunch of tall flags to pass out that are made from 3 inch pvc and go together with pins and one of the other ride capt's has some that are identicle. I have flags I fly on the back of my bike but you want to make sure there is no way they can come off and cause an accident. They make some colapsable flags you could strap to the bike and it never hurts in case there aren't enough flags. On escorts from the airport you can run your flags and they sometimes will have extras. Main thing is just to show up and no one will care if you don't have a flag. Thanks for joining the PGR.
FuzzyRSTD Posted April 28, 2012 #13 Posted April 28, 2012 I've been a member since 2006 and have been on many missions. Our VT state capt has a bunch of tall flags to pass out that are made from 3 inch pvc and go together with pins and one of the other ride capt's has some that are identicle. I have flags I fly on the back of my bike but you want to make sure there is no way they can come off and cause an accident. They make some colapsable flags you could strap to the bike and it never hurts in case there aren't enough flags. On escorts from the airport you can run your flags and they sometimes will have extras. Main thing is just to show up and no one will care if you don't have a flag. Thanks for joining the PGR. That is what I built the flag pole mounts for in the classifieds. You can fly your flag or flags safely. I also have a write up/how to, to build your own flag pole that you can fly on the mount safe and secure. http://venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=68747 http://www.venturerider.org/classifieds/showcat.php?cat=34 and also an affordable cover fore your flag while in transit to or from a meeting. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/showthread.php?t=68938 Fuzzy
radian Posted April 28, 2012 #14 Posted April 28, 2012 Since I still don't have a proper hitch, I made a flag holder out of PVC. Works pretty darn good, even at speed. http://www.venturerider.org/forum/vbpicgallery.php?do=view&g=2811
KIC Posted May 17, 2012 #15 Posted May 17, 2012 Completed my first mission today. Part of a flag line for the Run For The Wall group. I also made a flag holder. I needed one that wasn't a Reese style slider. The hitch that I am switching from the 87 to the 89 is a ball mount. Yesterday I found this little adapter for $10.00 at Harbor Freight. Bought a 1 1/4-inch 45 degree coupling, a 6-inch 1 1/4 nipple and a 7 ft pole that fit snuggly into the nipple. Need to drill a hole to secure the pole into the nipple. Maybe a support strap from under the trunk. Hopefully it will work.
Bummer Posted May 18, 2012 #16 Posted May 18, 2012 .. I was wondering what you need to bring to the missions ... ... Dark sunglasses. ... Seriously. Everyone needs them sooner or later. Usually sooner.
ragtop69gs Posted May 18, 2012 #17 Posted May 18, 2012 Completed my first mission today. Part of a flag line for the Run For The Wall group. I also made a flag holder. I needed one that wasn't a Reese style slider. The hitch that I am switching from the 87 to the 89 is a ball mount. Yesterday I found this little adapter for $10.00 at Harbor Freight. Bought a 1 1/4-inch 45 degree coupling, a 6-inch 1 1/4 nipple and a 7 ft pole that fit snuggly into the nipple. Need to drill a hole to secure the pole into the nipple. Maybe a support strap from under the trunk. Hopefully it will work. KIC, Looks like too much angle there, a 3x5 flag will probably drag the ground and even if it does not it will make the flag fly at an angle that will rip it up. You want the flag pole almost verticle to fly at riding speed.
KIC Posted May 18, 2012 #18 Posted May 18, 2012 I am kinda thinking same thing. I can add another 45 to straighten it up. I had to get it out from under the trunk. Still a work in progress.
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