Grove Independence Celebration.

   A few months ago I received an email forward from Pappy, our State Captain. A Three war veteran was planning ahead and requested that the PGR be present when he passes.  I volunteered to RC this Mission, and made contact with Ben Hynum, Veteran of WWII-Korea-Vietnam. Ben was also the former Mayor of Grove Oklahoma.  I made arrangements to meet with Mr. Hynum for lunch in Grove, and invited Goatlick to join us. We arrived and met Mr Hynum, and along with him were a reporter from the local paper, and some employees of the Funeral Home he plans to use. 
    After Lunch Ben took Bob and I to the Grove Veterans Memorial, a project he had been a major part of. It was a beautiful Memorial, with all service flags and the POW-MIA Flag as well as the American Flag. Money for the project was raised by selling paver bricks with Veterans names engraved on them. Among the bricks was one for Roy Clark, Us Navy Veteran and Star of Hee Haw, as well as a great country singer.  While we were talking Ben invited us up to the Grove Independence Celebration, on July 2nd.  As the day for the celebration approached,  Tommy made plans for bringing a group from Tulsa, while I set up a route from Westville.  As it turned out, we had a Mission in Tulsa, and an activity in Siloam Springs at the same time so the bikes were spread thin. Also as it turned out what I was thinking was a guest invitation turned out to be a part of the opening ceremonies. Ben wanted us to ride in to start the celebration, and we did. 4 bikes and 3 cages with Flags flying. Xray had fabricated a flag mount for  my SUV, and Lana had 3 x 5 flags in the stake pockets of her pick up. while 'Stang had window flags on her van.

  As i exited the truck I heard the MC announce that we were "All Vietnam Veterans" I headed for the stage, waving and shaking my head "NO". He gave me the mic and I properly introduced the group as American Patriots from all sectors doing what we do because of love for our country and Love for our Troops!!! After that we enjoyed a great show by the  Dutton Family from Branson. and a great fireworks show.