Amanda Doss and Children.

     On May 23 we stood for Patriot Guard Rider, Amanda Prewitt Doss and her two young children, Guinevere Doss,11 and Texas Johnson, 8,    

Amanda was a long time member of the Patriot Guard Riders having joined in 2006.

She was instrumental in setting up the first email membership list for the Four States Area.

Amanda monitored all the PGR missions in the area and made mission notifications.

She later was a moderator of the 4statespgr yahoo group.

Amanda was a National coordinator for the Swift Boat Veteran's and was active in Veterans support group. She was proud of her fathers service in Vietnam and worked tirelessly in her support of Veterans.

Amanda and her two children lost their lives, May 11th in a fire. But the sad part is that Before the fire, Amanda and the children were brutally murdered. The fire set to cover up the crime... At this time we still do not know if the person or person's that committed this crime have been apprehended.

 

 Part on of this mission was a memorial service was in Texarkana Texas on Sunday May 22, the deedants were then transfered to Broken Arrow Oklahoma for another service and burial.  Early that morning Tommy and some others staked flags at the chapel and cemetery, and moved to the staging area to wait.  Bob and I took my van to Tulsa where I managed to get us lost, nad had to call Tommy for directions! We  met up with the others at a parking lot near the chapel. At the prescribed time 14 bikes 1 Trike and 6 cages proceded to the chapel and formed 2 flag lines in front of the entrance.  After the services commenced, we stood by to escort to the cemetery. Bob got a call from his fire captain back in westville and he and I had to leave as Rescue crews were requested to go for search and rescue for vicitms of the Joplin tornado. Here is Tommy's Mission Complete for the day:

 

The PGR was asked by the family of Amanda Prewitt Doss a PGR Rider to stand a flag line and help escort Amanda and her 2 children Guinivere and Texas . Before services started flags were posted at the chapel and centenary . After services at the chapel was over as Amanda and her children was being moved to the coaches we formed a honor line for them . As we were escorting , people saw it was 3 coaches they pulled over and did not move till we were will passed . Up on arriving the centenary the riders form a half circle around Amanda , Guinivere and Texas as they were moved in to place . Amanda's cousin Tim Howard was 1 of the riders helping to escort this family . There were a ride capt.Wesley Barnett and 2 riders from Little Rock , Arkansas . Clubs present AVMC , Legion Riders and Blue Star Mother's . Weather looked like it would storm at any minute but it did not cloudy and windy . There was 14 bikes ,1 trike and 6 cages . I would like to thank all riders who take time to be here for this family . Tommy "dragman" Johnson RC NE OKLA

 

 

It is hard to understand why anyone would do such a thing as this, and the death of innocent children always brings me to my knees.  When Bob  and I entered the chapel and saw the three caskets I was shaken to the bone.  The thought of three coaches in a line s not a pretty visual in my mind, and I am kind of glad we had to leave early.   

 

   May Amanda and her children rest in peace and may the animal(s) that did this suffer in hell for enternity.  God Bless the Family and Friends of the deceased!!!

 

Honor Flight NWA.

   The Honor Flight Network is a non-profit organization created solely to honor America's veterans for all their sacrifices. We transport our heroes to Washington, D.C. to visit and reflect at their memorials.
Right now they are concentrating on the Veterans of WWII.  I attended my first Honor Flight Welcome Home in September 2010. I was so impressed that I was anxiously looking forward to this event. Honor Flight XNA, had expanded their efforts from a single flight to 2 flights a year. 

     I was asked by NWA Senior Ride Captain Xray, if I would like to R/C this event, and I quickly accepted.  When the day arrived Amanda had to work until 7:00 PM so I headed to XNA alone. I was the first one to arrive and went inside to report to security. I requested and received permission to park 2 support vechiles and the bikes in the delivery parking area.  I made contact with the Honor Flight Ground Crew and  talked about where we would like to put our Flag line (s) . They said they would like to divert the returnees around the corner in to another part of the lobby, and I suggested putting 2 flag line from the down escalator in an arch to where they wanted  the group to go.
    I then went out to get flags, and wait for the others to arrive.  Fred and Curtis arrived and we discussed the plan.  and after briefing we assembled our flag lines. With 25 flags and only about 16 PGR Members present i recruited members of the crowd to fill out the lines.  With everyone in place, the Veterans started trickling down the elevator, and escalator. it was great to see the reunion of folks although they had only been gone a day, they were greeted like they were coming home from the war.
   Little kids with flags and welcome home signs. Boy Scouts, ROTC Cadets.  Wives, Sons & Daughters, and grandchildren.  My friend Jen, had me acting as a cheerleader, waving my hands up to excite the crowd,  As each Veteran or Group of Veterans came down the crowd would burst into applause and cheers. One small boy would try to shake each veterans hand.  I was given a Honor Flight XNA Ground Crew Badge, which made me feel special. After the last Veteran made his decent, he was in his WWII wool uniform, full medals and all, he looked so grand with the bright red welcome home lipstick kisses lipstick on each cheek..  We broke ranks, put away our flags and went our separate ways until we gather again on another mission

Been a Busy 2 months

I returned from my Vacation to California/Oregon on March 11, and had my first mission at Ft. Gibson on the 13th. Jump right back into things as they say.  We Escorted and Stood for CPO Lloyd Don Moyer,
US Navy.  We had about 15 riders, and after the ceremony we had the chance to visit with some of CPO Moyer's family at McDonalds in Ft Gibson. 

On April 26th we had a 2 State Mission for US Army vet Charley Parmely. Starting outside of Jay Oklahoma, at the Mt. Hermon Baptist Church, then Escorting Mr. Parmely to the Maysville Arkansas Cemetery a few miles away. Mr Parmely was involved in Alcoholics Anonymous giving talks all over the world.  A Lone Rider came over to ask if he could ride with us and we welcomed him.  He said he credited Mr. Parmely with saving his life. One of our regular riders also said that Charley had been his mentor during his battle with Alcohol.

    In late April an accident in Tulsa claimed the lives of two members of the Patriot Guard Riders, Wanda McGhee, and  Albert "Sugar" Winters Jr.  They were thrown from the motorcycle they were riding and into the path of another vehicle.

On May 5th,  Over 100 Motorcycles escorted Wanda Lou McGhee, from Tulsa Oklahoma to Ft. Gibson National Cemetery to lay her to rest.  It was a beautiful ceremony and well attended.

On May 6th again well over 100 motorcycles escorted "Sugar" to Ft Gibson National Cemetery.
Bikes lined the long drive of the cemetery, and "Sugar" was Given Full Military Honors.

On May 7th we had a different sort of activity. About 20 bikes gathered at the Kwik Kountry  convience store in Westville and staged to be in their Loyalty Day Parade. Westville Chamber had Presented the PGR with its "Organization of the Year" award  at their annual  awards banquet. Bob "Goatlick" Kiefer and I had  the honor of accepting on behalf of all PGR Members in America.
I had arranged for our entry right after all the Police, Fire, Ambulance entries, but when Bob came to staging he had a surprise.  The Police and other Emergency entries had choosen to let the bikes go first. What a sight it was to see  Goat & Xray lead our friends around the corner to start the Parade...

WILL CATCH UP TOMORROW

Tsgt Edgar Brown USAF Retired Stilwell OK 1-11-11

Tsgt Edgar Brown, was brutally murdered during a carjacking in Stilwell Oklahoma. He was attacked at the WalMart in Stilwell, his body was found in the communnity of Zion, just southwest of Stilwell, and his suv was found on fire near the Piney community northwest of Stilwell. An 18 Year old has been arrested in the case.

Very cold spell in our area snow and Ice on the roads so Bob made the decision to cage it with me on this mission. At the funeral home we had just the two of us, We stood on either side of the door, with flags . Tall and Silent, opening the door for arriving guests.

After the services John from Ft. Smith arrived, and the three of us went to the cemetery to stake flags for the graveside services. After the USAF Honor guard presented the flag, I stepped forward and made the Plaque presentation.

With the services over we retrived all flags, and headed to Westville and Warmth.

Busy Busy

Has been a while since I logged in have to correct that. Need to post for each and every mission to keep the records straight. Since my last Post i have been appointed to Ride Captain Northeast Oklahoma. and again to Senior Ride Captain Northeast Oklahoma. i really appreciate the confidance of my State Captian and the Senior Ride Captain for Northeast Oklahoma for allowing me this honor. At this Point I am going to try to do more with this blog. At least Issue a mission complete for every mission I attend.

Honor Flight Northwest Arkansas

Amanda and I headed out to the "Welcome Home" mission for Arkansas Honor Flight 2010.  I had never ben to one of these, and basically was thinking it would be  Ok stand in the flag line and welcome home a bunch of old people from their trip to Washington D.C.
Kinda show up talk to the others, stand the flag line and go home. WOW was I wrong.
          We arrived at the airport to find many of our group already there.  Said our hellos and stood around visiting with our friends.
A member of the Honor Flight Staff came along and visited with us and I was Impressed with her enthusiasm. She was excited about what they were doing for our veterans. Soon I noticed the buses friom Rogers High School, the band had came to Honor America's Heroes. Then i noticed the camo uniforms of the University of Arkansas ROTC. Wow lots of attention for these fine ladies and gentelman.
         As we went into the terminal, I was awestruck at the crown already gathering, groups of Boy Scouts, families with young children with welcome home signs.   Members of the Daughters of the American Revolution passing out small American Flags to the crowd.   Our terminal was crowded  to say the least.  I was impressed with the respect Northwest Arkansas was showing our WWII Veterans.   I ran into people I had met on other missions,  Talked to many people  joking and serious.  I visited with many of the Honor Flight personnell, I learned they they were as dedicated to their "Mission" as we the Patriot Guard Riders are to ours.  They were all very friendly and I learned a lot about Honor Flight. I learned that I really did not know what honor flight was all about.  I was under the impression the this was a Tyson-Walmart publicity gig, they funded the flights and grabbed the attention. Man was I wrong.   This like the PGR was a heartfelt gesture started by one person, a physician assistant and Retired Air Force Captain. Earl Morse. Starting with small planes and private volunteer pilots in 2005 and growing by the grace of coprate donors to what I was seeing before me.

http://www.honorflight.org/about/index.cfm

     As the time grew closer, the ROTC made an honor line down both sides of the down escalator and the crowd stood behind them many people deep. the Band was assembled in the baggage area of the terminal, and we bought our flag lines to behind the ROTC. I walked the asile formed by the crowd to make sure our peopls we ok and mingled with the crowd.  Congressman Boozman, and his lovely wife arrived and were placed in the flag/rotc line which had kinda merged  into one. Honor Flight personnell kept us informed of  the status of the flight, and I visited with members of the crowd, and ROTC. I noticed one small lady and some one was getting her a chair, her husband was on the Honor Flight, and she was excited about him coming home I had them place her chair in the front of the crowd and assured her I would make sure she could see upon the arrival of the flight. And I kept my promiose, her husband was in a wheelchair, and the moment in time when he rolled up to her and they embraced was like he had just came home from the war. such love and devotion on display for the world to see.
      Right after we stood our line I had an elderly lady ask me, "What are you going to do with those flags?"  I explained that we would put them away for later use at another mission, and she gave me a "pouty Look" kidding around with me. she Asked "What school are ya'll from?" I explained that we were the Patriot Guard Riders and what our Mission was  and she was happy to hear of our organization.

       I kept walking the asile checking on the members of the PGR and talking to the crowd doing my PR work for the PGR. I talked to one member of the ROTC that has a year deployment coming up in Afganistan.  I talked to wives and family of the Veterans returning on today's Honor Flight.
       Then it was time, the first of over 80 Veterans appeared at the top of the escalator, and the crowd erupted, the band broke into the Military Medley, and the Guestes of Honor decended into the crowd.  The first gentelman came down waving his small American Flag and saluting over and over  They were recieving a Hero's Welcome and deservedly so.  As I stood and the far end of the asile, they came, I saluted, and shook so many hans.  I had the front row view of all the smiles and happiness we had brought to our greatest generation, Many were overwhelmed, tears rolling down their cheeks, ALL were smiling big and shaking hands and   waving their flags  I must admitt I had a small lump in my throat also.

    After the Activities I went outside whre the Veterans were waiting transportation, and watched the homecomings going on. I was thanked many time for the participation of the PGR.  I noticed Frank Lee taking photos, and he was telling me who many of the veterans were, One that stands out is a gentleman who used to own the Ford dealership in Siloam Springs and other Siloam residents. Then one of the young ladies asked me if I had met Mr. McGinley yet, I said no and she took me to see a gentleman in a wheelchair, wearing an Air Force cap over his Honor Flight Cap. I talked to him and discovered that he was a WII Pilot that was serving in the Belgium area and was shot down, he spent 7 1/2 months living with the Belgian underground and was almost captured by the Natzis 4 times. I learned that  his family had been told he had been killed.  I realized I was in the presence of a true American Hero.  I was hearing history from one that had made it. I had my picture taken with Mr. McGinley, and it is going to be one of my favorite photos in my memories of life in the PGR.  I left that airport with a new perspective, I have always had great respect for the Veterans of America but I  now  have greater respect for them all.

       I alos have a Great respect fot Honor Flight and the members thereof, You are a great group, and deserving of respect.  Your Mission is just like ours in many ways. The show Honor and Respect to Americas Veterans.  I was impresed by you and your group. I salute you.

US Army Vietnam Veteran Billy Gene Hodge.

This morning started with a beautiful sunrise as I was preparing to go Honor a great man.
Billy Gene Hodge Vietnam Veteran US Army 9th Infantry Division. in Siloam Springs Arkansas.

I frist met Bill in late 1998 or early 1999, I was with a group that wwas trying to get a visit of the Vietnam Veterans Memorial, "The Moving Wall" to Siloam. I was attendimg a chamber of commerce breakfast to spread the word and ask for help from various organizations around the area. Bill was there to promote the Sager Creek Arts Center. After all the speakers had done their thing and we had had breakfast, Bill approached me and Said " Hi my name is Bill Hodge and I want to help you." Bill and I became great friends. He was the person I came to lean on and go to for advice during the things leading up to and during the Wall visit.

    While preparing for the Wall visit we had formed a Vietnam Vetrans of America chapter in Siloam.After the wall, the chapter slowly fell apart and ultimatly folded. But Bill was there until the end. After that I did not see Bill a lot. Mainly around town and of course at Walmart. lol. In 2008 we decided that I should have a party for my 60th Birthday, Bill and his Wonderful wife Susan. were among the guest. Had a great visit with them, and of course exchanged the we need to get together some time, but our lifestyles were totaly different and sometime never came.

      Tuesday I got word that Bill had been killed in a motorcycle accident. I called Susan, and she had requested the Patriot Guard Riders to stand for Bill. Tuesday afternoon I with Our Ride Captian Terry, and Xray and Radio, ventured to Susans home to discuss details. There I met Bill's wonderful daughter Lori Lynn, her husband Ron, their daughters Alexis and Shelby, and Shelby's fiancee Tim. They were wonderful people, and I am proud to have met them.

     Wed. evening I went to visitation, and it was hard, I was talking with Shelby, and we both were reluctant to go into the chapel. When Lori and her family started to vist the chapel, Shelby looked at me and said "Would you like to go with us?" It was hard to go near the coffin, but I wnt to be there for his familuy. I let God tell me what to do and say, and we all got throught it. I jus pray I was of help to them in their time of need.

     Today we Stood the Mission for Bill, I was a pall-breaer, but we had a beautiful flag line , I stood and talked about Bill and how he had influnced my life. How he had attempted to keep me calm when things got rough. and How I loved Him and How I loved them for accepting me into their time of sorrow and need. It was a true honor to Tell the world I loved Bill he was my friend, He was my Brother!!!

    I have cried many time over the last few days, and I am proud of that fact, I have Lost a great friend, a Brother and I am hurting. But God will guide me through this, He will guide Susan, Lori, Shelby, and Alexis also.

     Please Lord watch over Bill's family and help them in this time of sorrow. Help me to take the thing I loved about Bill and the things he taught me and use this to be a better person. Help me to live life to the fullest, and Share it with others. Hep me to take care of my family the way Bill took care of his. Amen