Date: March 6, 2009 – 1 day
Departure: 0900 Return time: 1800 Miles: 250
Riders: Mike Cash, Greg Vincent and myself
Route: Ridgecrest - 14 - 178 - 99 - 58 - 14 - Ridgecrest
I first heard about the Patriot Guard Riders a couple months ago. They are a national organization that rides motorcycles to escort returning members of our military services from their tour of duty to their homes in the states or to their resting places for those killed in action.
The Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) organization was formed in 2005 to help protect returning members of the armed services from protestor interference. The organization started locally in Oklahoma, but spread throughout the United States rapidly. For more information, go here: http://www.patriotguard.org/AboutUs/OurHistory/tabid/145/Default.aspx
I went to the PGR website and joined as soon as I had heard about the group. I started receiving emails daily about rides in California to welcome home returning military and to escort home those that had sacrificed all for their country. Most of the emails I’d received were announcements for rides that were quite a distance from where I live and not convenient for me to attend. I anticipated something closer and was anxious to go on a ride to honor fellow military compatriots. Last week the email I’d been waiting for finally came.
There were three of us that met for breakfast the morning of my first Patriot Guard Ride. This was also the first PGR ride for one my friends, Greg Vincent. This ride was to honor the passing of Robert Clark Rhoads of Weldon, CA, a former Patriot Guard Rider and long time resident of Weldon.
A tribute to PGR member Robert Clark Rhoades can be found at:
http://www.patriotguard.org/ALLForums/tabid/61/view/topic/forumid/29/postid/1099976/Default.aspx
After breakfast, the leader of our little group, Mike Cash asked if we were fueled up. We nodded we were ready to ride. We departed Ridgecrest at 0900 for Lake Isabella to meet the other riders of the group. The morning was a cool 50 degrees, and we headed west on I-178 toward Inyokern. At I-14 we headed south to I-178 west again. Crossing Walker pass was freezing and wind chill was biting through all my ride gear. I wished I had some electric gear. I’d heard others in the Ridgecrest Activity Group praise electric gear in cold weather. I wished I could be one of them that had it at that moment. Clouds were forming to the west. We might get wet later. I was glad I at least had my rain gear along.
After arriving in Lake Isabella, we joined several other PGR riders, about 20 in all. All were very happy to see each other. Greetings, welcomes, latest stories and laughs were shared. Group Captain, Basil Mulkey introduced himself and called us all together to explain the plan. The chapel was close. We would ride there and stage our bikes at the ready to escort Brother Clark, when the time came. Captain Basil requested a road guard and my friend Greg volunteered. Kickstands up (KSU) at 1030. At 1029, we mounted and started, 1030-KSU and we were off. We arrived at the chapel and parked in rows. We dismounted awaiting the call to form the flag line. The call came in a little while and we lined up on both sides of the chapel doors forming a line to the hearse, protecting the path from the chapel to the hearse. When the casket carrying Brother Clark emerged from the chapel, Captain Basil called, “Attention”! We snapped too. “Hand salute!” Our flags held high, straight, eyes front. There was a strong wind and our flags ruffled and snapped in the breeze. The pallbearers carried Brother Clark with reverence and dignity to the hearse. Captain Basil called “Ready, Too” and “Dismissed”. We secured and stowed our flags and prepared to depart. Captain Basil explained that we were asked by the family to ride ahead and prepare another flag line at the cemetery in Wofford Heights. We mounted, started and headed out.
We held a steady place to Wofford Heights cemetery. I felt proud to ride with the PGR. Arriving at the cemetery, we quickly formed the flag line again awaiting Brother Clark and his family. Escorted by another motorcycle group, the hearse stopped and backed into the cemetery and the pallbearers again took their positions to escort Brother Clark to the gravesite. Again we were called to attention as the company went by. After the flag line was completed at the cemetery, the PGR was dismissed. We said our goodbyes until the next PGR ride and departed.
It was an honor to be part of this group and to ride in this event. I hope the next PGR ride I go on will be to welcome home another hero that is coming home to the waiting arms of his or her family. I’ll never forget this ride in honor of Robert Clark Rhoads.
Epilog – Greg and I suited up in rain gear and detoured to Bakersfield Harley down the canyon. No sooner than we got on the road, it started to rain. Harley rain gear is great. Wild flowers were beginning to show and some of the hills were covered in poppies. We stopped for lunch and made it to the shop at about 1400. As fast as I could I made my way to the electric gear. Jacket, gloves and credit card in hand I approached the counter. The young lady at the counter rang up my stuff and handed me the receipt. Then she asked if I wanted a barbecue. My puzzled look brought out the explanation that when someone spends more than $300 like I did, they get a free Harley barbecue. I carried out two armloads of stuff and asked Greg how I was going to get all this stuff home. He said, “Don’t look at me”. I got it all on and made it home. Do you know you need a thermostat to get this gear to work? I found that out when I got it all home. Good reason for another trip to the Harley shop. We logged 250 miles that memorable day.
Tom Lystrup
Departure: 0900 Return time: 1800 Miles: 250
Riders: Mike Cash, Greg Vincent and myself
Route: Ridgecrest - 14 - 178 - 99 - 58 - 14 - Ridgecrest
I first heard about the Patriot Guard Riders a couple months ago. They are a national organization that rides motorcycles to escort returning members of our military services from their tour of duty to their homes in the states or to their resting places for those killed in action.
The Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) organization was formed in 2005 to help protect returning members of the armed services from protestor interference. The organization started locally in Oklahoma, but spread throughout the United States rapidly. For more information, go here: http://www.patriotguard.org/AboutUs/OurHistory/tabid/145/Default.aspx
I went to the PGR website and joined as soon as I had heard about the group. I started receiving emails daily about rides in California to welcome home returning military and to escort home those that had sacrificed all for their country. Most of the emails I’d received were announcements for rides that were quite a distance from where I live and not convenient for me to attend. I anticipated something closer and was anxious to go on a ride to honor fellow military compatriots. Last week the email I’d been waiting for finally came.
There were three of us that met for breakfast the morning of my first Patriot Guard Ride. This was also the first PGR ride for one my friends, Greg Vincent. This ride was to honor the passing of Robert Clark Rhoads of Weldon, CA, a former Patriot Guard Rider and long time resident of Weldon.
A tribute to PGR member Robert Clark Rhoades can be found at:
http://www.patriotguard.org/ALLForums/tabid/61/view/topic/forumid/29/postid/1099976/Default.aspx
After breakfast, the leader of our little group, Mike Cash asked if we were fueled up. We nodded we were ready to ride. We departed Ridgecrest at 0900 for Lake Isabella to meet the other riders of the group. The morning was a cool 50 degrees, and we headed west on I-178 toward Inyokern. At I-14 we headed south to I-178 west again. Crossing Walker pass was freezing and wind chill was biting through all my ride gear. I wished I had some electric gear. I’d heard others in the Ridgecrest Activity Group praise electric gear in cold weather. I wished I could be one of them that had it at that moment. Clouds were forming to the west. We might get wet later. I was glad I at least had my rain gear along.
After arriving in Lake Isabella, we joined several other PGR riders, about 20 in all. All were very happy to see each other. Greetings, welcomes, latest stories and laughs were shared. Group Captain, Basil Mulkey introduced himself and called us all together to explain the plan. The chapel was close. We would ride there and stage our bikes at the ready to escort Brother Clark, when the time came. Captain Basil requested a road guard and my friend Greg volunteered. Kickstands up (KSU) at 1030. At 1029, we mounted and started, 1030-KSU and we were off. We arrived at the chapel and parked in rows. We dismounted awaiting the call to form the flag line. The call came in a little while and we lined up on both sides of the chapel doors forming a line to the hearse, protecting the path from the chapel to the hearse. When the casket carrying Brother Clark emerged from the chapel, Captain Basil called, “Attention”! We snapped too. “Hand salute!” Our flags held high, straight, eyes front. There was a strong wind and our flags ruffled and snapped in the breeze. The pallbearers carried Brother Clark with reverence and dignity to the hearse. Captain Basil called “Ready, Too” and “Dismissed”. We secured and stowed our flags and prepared to depart. Captain Basil explained that we were asked by the family to ride ahead and prepare another flag line at the cemetery in Wofford Heights. We mounted, started and headed out.
We held a steady place to Wofford Heights cemetery. I felt proud to ride with the PGR. Arriving at the cemetery, we quickly formed the flag line again awaiting Brother Clark and his family. Escorted by another motorcycle group, the hearse stopped and backed into the cemetery and the pallbearers again took their positions to escort Brother Clark to the gravesite. Again we were called to attention as the company went by. After the flag line was completed at the cemetery, the PGR was dismissed. We said our goodbyes until the next PGR ride and departed.
It was an honor to be part of this group and to ride in this event. I hope the next PGR ride I go on will be to welcome home another hero that is coming home to the waiting arms of his or her family. I’ll never forget this ride in honor of Robert Clark Rhoads.
Epilog – Greg and I suited up in rain gear and detoured to Bakersfield Harley down the canyon. No sooner than we got on the road, it started to rain. Harley rain gear is great. Wild flowers were beginning to show and some of the hills were covered in poppies. We stopped for lunch and made it to the shop at about 1400. As fast as I could I made my way to the electric gear. Jacket, gloves and credit card in hand I approached the counter. The young lady at the counter rang up my stuff and handed me the receipt. Then she asked if I wanted a barbecue. My puzzled look brought out the explanation that when someone spends more than $300 like I did, they get a free Harley barbecue. I carried out two armloads of stuff and asked Greg how I was going to get all this stuff home. He said, “Don’t look at me”. I got it all on and made it home. Do you know you need a thermostat to get this gear to work? I found that out when I got it all home. Good reason for another trip to the Harley shop. We logged 250 miles that memorable day.
Tom Lystrup
I think that's awesome. It's great to be involved in something good. Thanks for sharing.
ReplyDeleteWonderful story, dad.
ReplyDeleteIt's great to see you opening up some of the details and nuance on your posts.
What an honor to ride with the PGR.
I didn't know there was even such a thing like that. That is awesome. Hopefully there will be more services you can help with. That is a great way to honor our military.
ReplyDelete