My Last Patriot Guard Ride

[No False Enthusiasm]

I'm a vet, as well.

On the Wee, I have no chrome, no bling and no costume. I tend to ride at the rear of the column for reasons mentioned above.

I ride for the fallen service member... I don't consider it a social event.

NFE

[trc.rhubarb]

Never had an issue with the riders.
I quit because of the politics of them thinking they were a club... wanting patches and all
Thinking they were there for themselves vs the soldiers

I did several rides "missions" (more bs) and was proud to be there for the fallen.
I wish I could still do it but its no longer about the soldier and their family but about how cool they are.

[JDK111]

Originally Posted by trc.rhubarb

I did several rides "missions" (more bs) and was proud to be there for the fallen.
.

I'd be embarrassed to participate in a ride called a 'mission' ...... the guy in the hearse was participating in a" MISSION".

[trc.rhubarb]

Originally Posted by JDK111

I'd be embarrassed to participate in a ride called a 'mission' ...... the guy in the hearse was participating in a" MISSION".

Yup

[100mpg]

Originally Posted by trc.rhubarb

Never had an issue with the riders.
I quit because of the politics of them thinking they were a club... wanting patches and all
Thinking they were there for themselves vs the soldiers

I did several rides "missions" (more bs) and was proud to be there for the fallen.
I wish I could still do it but its no longer about the soldier and their family but about how cool they are.

I wore a patch to bring attention to the soldiers not to myself. hundreds of time I was asked what we do and when I answered the question people smiled and a few teared up.

I didn't like the term at first but the mission was to escort the soldier home.

[Pantah]

I'm a combat veteran. I think the whole PGR thing is an embarrassment. If people want to honor returning vets there are better ways than motorcyclists parading in their garb.

There is no connection between motorcycles and serving one's country as a combatant. To attempt one through a public display is insulting.

At least it is to me...

[txwanderer]

Originally Posted by Pantah

I'm a combat veteran. I think the whole PGR thing is an embarrassment. If people want to honor returning vets there are better ways than motorcyclists parading in their garb.

There is no connection between motorcycles and serving one's country as a combatant. To attempt one through a public display is insulting.

At least it is to me...

Well, ain't you just a special kind of cupcake. Join the club and get at the end of the line.

PGR started to protect fallen service members' family from harassment. Bikers from all backgrounds, clubs, organizations, and places banded together to pull that off. Where were you?
They broadened the role in some cases to greet and escort service members returning home from combat. They were there, usually no one else was until they figured out what the motercycle parade was and took notice, otherwise there would have been little to none. What did you do?
We have escorted unit busses from airports to armories for retuning NG units as well, Didn't see you there either.

Unfortunately PGR is an organization the seems to have outgrown itself in some ways. Since they don't take direct control of their "missions", there are some that don't exasctly fill the bill to represent the organization. Other places there are really good folks who have organized themselves to a point and they have better attitudes than some rides. They are also more organized rides with better logistics.

Don't throw out the baby cause the bath water is dirty. If you believe in the PGR, do something besides leave it alone. Some have the personality and such that is needed and others don't. That doesn't mean you are less than wonderfull if you don't have those traits.

As for the guys the OP had to ride with, I can see his frustration. I have the same feelings very often, and that is why I ride alone exept in the most rare of occasions.

As always YMMV

[ray h]

Here's the deal, PGR are a group of people with good intentions. I don't think any of them mean to disrespect any service members so whether or not you agree with their dress or their rides or their methods or what they call their "missions", you have to admit that they have good intentions and are at least doing something they believe is helpful, which is more than most people do.
For the record, I am a member of the PGR and I haven't participated in any of their "missions" yet because they've been too far away or have not been what I feel is something the PGR should be doing. So, I won't participate in everything they do but I won't put them down for it.

[trc.rhubarb]

I really want to believe all that but let me throw one out...
One of the last rides I did was in the winter in northern CA.
More than 50 members were signed up to attend (mostly local to the area)
Then the snow and hail started and they all backed out, opting to not even take their cars to show support.
I was one of 3 riders that showed up and it was nearly 4 hours each way for me. I did it because nobody else would.
This soldier died for my freedoms and the least I could do was take a day and honor them being laid to rest.

It was a very memorable moment as there was almost nobody at the funeral in what was a very small cemetary. The local VFW was very kind to us and offered hot coffee and snacks. They made up the majority of attendees and most of these guys were very up there in the years but still managed to make it.

After this "mission" I raised a bit of hell with the local PGR chapter and caught all kinds of flack for doing so. This is when i realized that most people join for their own 'glory' rather than for support. It became (and this was years ago) a riding club for people to show the world how wonderful they are rather than keeping the focus on honoring the memories of the soldiers and protecting them from protesters. When it was in its early days, PGR had a common purpose and was made up mostly of people that had a calling.

I guess I should stop now... its a prety sore subject for me though.

[Crisis management]

Originally Posted by txwanderer

Well, ain't you just a special kind of cupcake. Join the club and get at the end of the line.

Y'know there was no personal insult to you in Pantahs' post, your post says more about yourself than Pantah.

If you want your freedom of speech, be prepared to defend others right to the same thing.






(This rant was bought to you by one of Pantahs imaginary friends.)

[txwanderer]

Sorry, you may not be able to understand, or just don't want to. He claims to be a combat vet. Cool, and thanks for serving, however he ain't the only one around and using it for a crutch or to gain credibilty is a sore subject. If you look around, it is rare to hear that statement.
If you don't understand, that is ok, but hold your criticism for something you are knowlegable of. He is quick to show his point of view and is allowed to have it. Makes no difference how I feel about it, sounds like he might have earned it. I was pointing out, that if he wants to call out anyone or organization, he should in turn take its place or do something besides gripe.
Those that can't, critisize.

[EricD10563]

I have participated in a few, both went well, were well organized and the people seemed to know what they were doing. I do have one complaint and that was the religious overtone of one of the rides that involved holding hands, prayer and singing; just wasn't my cup of tea. I don't own any PGR stickers, clothing etc; I did happen to know both of the people we were escorting and the family requested the PGR riders. I would/will do it again I think it's for a good cause and it appears that the families often request their presence.

[DADODIRT]

Originally Posted by dwoodward

That cul de sac is a lot wider three car lanes. I'd guess fifty feet.

Uh, radius or diameter?
OP was saying radius of, what was it, 36 feet. That's 72 feet of pavement?

[JDK111]

Originally Posted by txwanderer

Sorry, you may not be able to understand, or just don't want to. He claims to be a combat vet. Cool, and thanks for serving, however he ain't the only one around and using it for a crutch or to gain credibilty is a sore subject. If you look around, it is rare to hear that statement.
If you don't understand, that is ok, but hold your criticism for something you are knowlegable of. He is quick to show his point of view and is allowed to have it. Makes no difference how I feel about it, sounds like he might have earned it. I was pointing out, that if he wants to call out anyone or organization, he should in turn take its place or do something besides gripe.
Those that can't, critisize.

Have you served?.... and seen combat?
If you haven't -- then STFU

..... and even if you have, you're a pussy for calling out another serviceman who's giving his point of view for something that might have affected him.

Thank You for your service and opinion Pantah

[250senuf]

Originally Posted by DADODIRT

Uh, radius or diameter?
OP was saying radius of, what was it, 36 feet. That's 72 feet of pavement?

Satellite image in post 6 shows the scene.