Honoring those who Gave it All!

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.

Tuesday Aug 16, 2011

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::

The Mother of SGT Peterson Mrs. Terra Peterson, came over to me after the service at Ft. Gibson, and advised that she wanted to personally thank everyone from the PGR that was there today for SGT Peterson, but wasn’t able to get to everyone before they all left. She had BIG TEARS AND A BIG SMILE on her face as she described how she and the family felt about what we do and stand for. she said it meant the world to her. I told her it was our honor for us to be there for Sgt. Peterson and the family. Her thanks was more then enough for us, as it was not about us, but all about Sgt. Peterson.
We later saw Mrs. Peterson at McDonalds and she again went to the riders that was there, and again thanked them.
I also thanked her for her classy act of kindness she and her family show the PGR AND RIDERS just what class, kindness, and love, that they showed during there time of sorrow, when the family went out of there way to come out to the staging area when we went to meet Sgt Peterson at the airport Fri.
May SGT. PETERSON REST IN PEACE, and the family be very blessed. MAY GOD BLESS THEM ALL
sincerely submitted
David (poppy) Priest
RC NE OKLA.

STANDING WITH THE PATRIOT GUARD
UNTIL THE PATRIOT GUARD STANDS FOR ME!

JD
NORTHEAST OKLAHOMA
SENIOR RIDE CAPTAIN
PATRIOT GUARD RIDERS

This one was very personal for me knowing Ssgt Owen had one of the Ruck Sacks with him that fateful day. He was there when we presented the Ruck Sacks to the 145th but managed to stay off camera.  Thank you all so much.
Curtis Lyons
Mission report – SSGT. Kirk A. Owen
I would like to thank the family for inviting us to Honor and ride for SSGT. Kirk A. Owen.
On Friday August 12, 2011, we had the privilege of escorting him from the Air National Guard base in Tulsa to his home in Sapulpa and the waiting Patriots lining the roadway in his Honor. When we turned off Hwy 75 on to Hwy 117 it sure got awfully hard to see where one was going!
Monday August 15, 2011, we were again given the honor and privilege of escort SSGT. Owen from the funeral home to his final resting place and then escorting the family to the cemetery.
At the Memorial that afternoon we formed a flag line for the family to the church to assure their privacy after which all were dismissed.
The Family was very appreciative of all that was done for them and for respecting their wishes.
Rest in Peace SSGT. Owen and know you will not be forgotten! May God Bless and stand with the family in their time of grievance and in the days to come.
I would like to personally thank all those who came out to honor and respect this great hero and his family and all the support and hard work put forth by those that made it happen.
THANKS Grassman, Speedo, Poppy, Pacman, Dragman, Gator, Turtle and the AVMC, The Faith Riders and the American Legion in Sapulpa, Thanks to the Local Transport Workers 514 for the flag support, Thanks to OHP, Tulsa PD, Sapulpa PD and the the Creek County Sheriffs Dept. and the Airmen at the ANG for making this about one thing and one thing only, working together to Honor SSGT. Owen and his Family!
AWESOME JOB ONE AND ALL!
And thanks to those who rode and stood to support our Hero! Thanks Mogols, Guard Dogs,The Priesthood,Combat Vets, Independent Rattlesnake, ALR Spavina, U.S. Veterans Bike & Street rods Association, the City and Citizens of Sapulpa and last but by far not least, each and every Patriot Guard Rider.
Proud to ride as one with each and every one of you!
Respectfully,

Don “Ape” Serner
Owasso, OK
ASC PGR of OK