Great job everyone. I can’t thank you enough for your participation. What we do means so much to the family and community. Times like this make me so proud of my AA family. Thank you again.
Curtis Lyons,
TWU514 Vetrans Committee
Saturday Aug 13, 2011.
83 bikes and 6 cages (vehicles) assembled at the staging area. We had the Honor of having Sgt. Peterson’s Mom stopped to Thank Us for what we were doing for the family. Flags were ready at the airbase thanks to the American Airlines crew. At 0915 The Air National Guard sent a truck to escort us to the base. Upon arriving flag lines were formed in front of the bikes, along both sides of the street where the Family with Sgt Peterson would exit the base. It was a hot day and the support people were great keeping water to the troops.
Clubs and Organizations present were PGR, AVMC, Combat Vets, American Legion, Blue Star Mothers, CMA, VFW.
As the procession passed all stood Proudly and many rendered a Hand Salute. As soon as the Procession passed, uniformed Air Force Personnel gathered the Flags to store until they were picked up. Riders Mounted up and joined the procession. Cages fell in behind.
It was a beautiful sight on the journey toClaremore As we passed Verdigris, the local Police and Fire personnel were blocking the intersections and the towns folks were lining both sides of the roads with American Flags everywhere. In Claremore again Fire trucks and police cars blocking every intersection, and crowds lining the streets. At the funeral home in claremore we established an Honor line for the Transfer of Sgt. Peterson. The Oklahoma Highway Patrol, Rogers County Sherriff, Claremore Police, Vedergris Police, Veredigris Fire, Limestone Fire, andClaremore Fire Departments all did an excellent job in Honoring Sgt Peterson.
The Mission today had many parts, At 0730 Riders from the PGR, & AVMC Gathered at the funeral Home in Chelsea to escort Sgt. Peterson to the church inClaremore. This escort was led by RC Tommy Johnson. It was reported that from Chelsea to Claremore were crowds of Americans with flags to Honor Sgt Peterson. There were Flags flying from Farm Tractors and Flags flying from Tow Trucks. A local manufacture had his entire crew out by the street. As they entered Claremore, The streets were filled with well wishers, near the church the Fire Department had a large American Flag flying high on their ladder truck.
The rest of the bike were staged at Atwoods, and were escorted to the church at 0915. We had 200 bikes and many cages present.
At 0945 Two Flaglines were formed crossing the street from one part of the church to the chapel. With PGR and other citizens It was a beautiful sight. Solid Flags from one building to the other. After the Family entered the Chapel flag lines were dismissed. Riders took this time to grab some lunch and cool down. At 1230 riders reassembled for the escort to Ft. Gibson National Cemetery. RC David “Poppy” Priest led the Escort, of 63 bikes and 3 cages. SRC “JD” had headed to the cemetery to stake flags and prepare the flags for the Flagl line. SRC James “JD” Dickey presented the PGR Plaque and RC’sDavid “Poppy” Priest, Tommy “Dragman” Johnson, and Bob “Goatlick” KieferPresented PGR Invocations.
Clubs present today were PGR, AVMC, Combat Vets, Vietnam Vets, Legecy Vets, B.A.C.A., Priesthood, & Faith Riders. It was a hot day and I do believe for the first time I can remember, all support vechiles ran out of water after the flag line at the cemetery.
THANK YOU TO, Dragman, & Poppy for all the help is setting this up. You guys are great to work with.
THANK YOU TO, Ape, Dragman, Poppy, Turtle, and Goatlick for all the Help at both parts of the mission.
After the Mission recieved this email from Poppy::
STANDING WITH THE PATRIOT GUARD
UNTIL THE PATRIOT GUARD STANDS FOR ME!
JD
NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA
SENIOR RIDE CAPTAIN
PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS
Don “Ape” Serner
Owasso, OK
ASC PGR of OK