My Last Patriot Guard Ride

[Pantah]

Originally Posted by dolomoto

I've went on a half-dozen PGR "missions" in GA and SC and have been impressed with the organization of each one.

On another note...

"Combat Vet" means different things to different people and IMO, some folks are quick to throw it out there as if experiencing what they perceive as "combat" somehow adds credibility to what they are saying/posting.

I'm not trying to debate what is real "combat", rather to maybe encourage folks to leave that out of the conversation. Members of this forum whose life experiences have been profoundly shaped by what was seen/did downrange don't necessarily need the label "combat vet" to get credibility.

I still believe in what the PGR has evolved to. This photo was when we stood for Col. Murray.

Why is it so hard to understand the word combat? It means a firefight... I presume you are targeting your challenge to me. I was a scout pilot for 2nd/17th Air Cavalry attached to the 101st ABN division. I saw lots of 'combat' because of the nature of the job. That means shooting at targets and they shooting at me. 4/69-10/70. LZSally and Hue Phu Bai were my bases. The Ashau Valley north to the DMZ was my AO. I was flight class 69-7 and my callsign was Condor 13. You can probably google it.

Fuck you too, you bullshitter...and that is what you are. A worthless bullshitter.

[Bad Company]

Originally Posted by No False Enthusiasm

Another Wee ridin' member of PGR...

If only a KLR showed up and joined us...

NFE

http://youtu.be/YRuoJq3Mp-8

Second to last bike is me on my KLR650 (9:52). Rode from kansas to cincinatti for Matt Maupins funeral.

[No False Enthusiasm]

Good to see you on the KLR...

RIP, SSG Maupin... http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matt_Maupin

Some folks my not realize that PGR participates only when invited by the family...

NFE

[Coastie3202]

My last PG ride was such a fiasco that I have never gone back as it was just too embarassing.

Evidently the Road Captain was supposed to meet with the funeral director prior to the funeral to ascertain the route from the funeral home to the cemetary. He evidently "forgot" to do that. So the morning of the escort, 20 PG members and their rides are lined up at the funeral home. At the conclusion of the funeral the casket was placed in the hearse, which was lined up immediately following the motorcycle line. We all pulled out and headed on what we thought was the route to the cemetary.

I am towards the back of the line when we made a left turn, onto what we thought was the route. Well the motorcycles turned left, the hearse and cars carrying families went straight. Of course the ride captain is not paying attention and just keep going straight, never saw the hearse fail to turn. When he did notice, he decides it is a good idea to have the motorcycle line pull a U-turn and race after the hearse weaving in and out of traffic. When the motorcycle line finally catches up with the line of cars we all go ripping past the funeral procession and take "our place" back at the front. As we are ripping past the cars carrying family member their faces are registering shock and dismay.

It was embarassing that a retired military member, as road captain, could not coordinate such a simple thing as an escort. Once we took the wrong route we could have easily continued on to the cemetary using our route, which would have put us there before the funeral procession. We could have then set up our honor line and presented our salutes and honors as the cars arrived. This would have actually looked like it was planned.

But no, our idiot ride captain had to make us all look like morons. I actually did not stop at the funeral site, but just kept going when everyone else pulled into the cemetary. I was just too embarrassed. That is the last time I rode with that group.

I am all for the Patriot Guard, as they escorted my son-in-law's remains when he came home from Iraq. They did a great job, and they made me proud. Our current group however is just a mess.

[pmacb]

Originally Posted by Coastie3202

My last PG ride was such a fiasco that I have never gone back as it was just too embarassing.



I am all for the Patriot Guard, as they escorted my son-in-law's remains when he came home from Iraq. They did a great job, and they made me proud. Our current group however is just a mess.

Ouch. I can't say I disagree with your assessment. If you didn't, maybe relating this experience to the local or state level leadership might open up some eyes. Even with enthusiastic volunteers sometimes you've got to say "Thanks, but no thanks" to those without the judgement to be in leadership roles before something bad happens.


pmacb

[Jnich77]

Originally Posted by ChemEng

So while I support the PGR and its mission, I won't be doing anymore missions because I can not accept the amount of risk evidently a large portion of their riders represent to my safety.

I did one about 6 months ago in Tampa Fl and had a guy on a trike side swipe me. After watching them duck walk, drag there feet in turns, and the general lack of skill... just like you I have decided to not do any more.

[mrbreeze]

in their defense, I have been riding for 40+ years and I think I can handle a bike as well as most folks. I always got a kick out of doing 180's on a narrow country road w/o getting off the pavement. I always like to try to balance the bike at stops w/o putting a foot down.

2 months ago I bought a Kawasaki Nomad 1600. I find it is much more difficult to ride at low speed than anything else I have ever had. This is the first cruiser I have owned in the last 20 years. These big fat pigs are just harder to ride at parking lot speeds.

If that isn't enough, I find a lot of people riding cruisers are very inexperienced.

I have done a few pgr rides, but haven't done any in the last couple of years. I do remember some of the guys seemed to want to "play army". It didn't bother me.

[Celtic Curmudgeon]

Originally Posted by ChemEng

I couldn't resist.

You should have hooked your turnaround in a driveway, just to rub it in a little!