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14 Completed Missions
(click a mission below)
Sat 24 Jun 2006
Laurel, MS
SFC Clarence D. McSwain
U.S. Army
Wed 12 Jul 2006
Ft. Campbell, KY
Eagle Remembrance Ceremony
U.S. Army
Sat 15 Jul 2006
Dyersburg, TN
Pfc Kevin F. Edgin
U.S. Army
Sat 26 Aug 2006
Memphis, TN
LCpl. Adam R. Murray
U.S. Marine
Sun Oct 15 2006
Germantown, TN
Capt Robert M. Secher
U.S. Marine
Mon 16 Oct 2006
Union City, TN
Welcome Home Ride 913th Engineer Co.
U.S. Army
Tue 12 Dec 2006
Finger, TN
Sgt. Dustin M. Adkins
U.S. Army
Sun 22 Apr 2007
Florence, AL
Spc. James T. Lindsey
U.S. Army
Sat 28 Apr 2007
Dickson, TN
LCpl. Jeffrey A. Bishop
U.S. Marine
Sat 19 May 2007
Tishomingo, MS
Sgt. Jason W. Vaughn
U.S. Army
Sat 23 Jun 2007
Nashville, TN
SrA William N. Newman
U.S. Air Force
Fri 20 Jun 2008
Clarksville, TN
SFC Gerard M. Reed
U.S. Army
Tue 13 Oct 2009
Memphis, TN
PFC Brandon A. Owens
U.S. Army
Patriot Guard Website
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Fallen Coalition Heroes
Iraq/Afghanistan
War Heroes
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Click the jet just above this to hear, see and shake as some jets that you choose do a flyby. If you want to know about the Patriot Guard, Click Here
How to use my mission log
The PGR organizes "missions". The term is not meant to be disrespectful or insensitive. You can check out my notes on the missions that I have attended by clicking a mission link on the left side panel. They are listed in chronological order.
My 1st mission was on 24 Jun 2006, Sgt. Clarence D. McSwain of Laurel MS. I will never forget him and pray for his family often. If you're interested in joining the Patriot Guard and wonder what the first time is like, then you should read this mission first.
Mission Date: Sat 28 Apr 2007
DoD Identifies Marine Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a Marine who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Jeffery "Adam" Bishop, 23, of Dickson, Tenn., died April 20 from wounds suffered while conducting combat operations in Al Anbar province, Iraq. Bishop was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon.
View the photo gallery for this mission
Thanks to Carrie and Mona.
 Dickson is only 165 miles from me. I saw that visitation was for 3 days and the funeral was Saturday. I knew I wanted to go and honor this brave warrior, I didn’t realize to what extent his life would touch me. The PGR had been involved since Adam arrived at the airport. They escorted him and stood vigil outside the funeral during the visitation hours. I left around 6:00 Saturday morning. It’s about 30 minutes of back roads to get to I-40 and 125 miles to the Dickson exit. I arrived around 8:15. When I turned on College St. I saw American flags all along the road. About 40 PGRs were on both sides of the road at the funeral home. I got parked and joined them. The parking lot of the funeral home was already almost full. We were parked across the street.
It was still cool, in the 50s. The high was going to be in the mid to upper 70s, no rain just a nice spring day. I joined the flag line across the street from the funeral home. As the traffic passed by many of them waved, some honked and others saluted. Early visitors pulled into the parking lot and went in to see the family. Some people came out to see us. I started talking to the people near me in line. The first gentleman looked familiar, all though I don’t think we’d ever met. He told me that his son was killed in Iraq last December. The PGR came and he was so moved that he joined afterwards. I think I understand how much it means to the families to see total strangers show up to honor their loved one. I hear it every time. We’re moved to be able to attend and show that we care and notice what they loved one did for us. The next two ladies were locals, Carrie and Mona. One lady told me she was an Aunt to Adam’s wife. She wanted to stand with us and thanked me for coming. I told her to tell her niece that they would be in my thoughts and prayers. Another lady came by passing out coffee. It hit the spot on this cool morning, that was great. Carrie and Mona took some photos of the PGR during the day.
I’ve posted them here on my site.
A little later Annette, the ride captain, came by and told us that the police would be closing the street soon. Once they did, all the motorcycles would be parked on the street on up the slope. The street went up a hill past the funeral home. Just over the top of the hill there were some orange cones. Some Uglies were scheduled to show up later to act like fools and disrespect everyone, including themselves. It was several hundred feet away but was still visible from the funeral home. If they showed up, we would all move to the top of the hill and block the view from the funeral home. They always say they’re coming, but they usually don’t. I had been on 9 missions and only once did they show. I figured today would be the same, but I would be wrong.
 Once 10:00 rolled around the police closed off the street and the bikers started moving their bikes. I stood for a couple of minutes and decided that now would be a good time to take a pit stop. I told my flag line neighbors I’d be back. I put up my flag and walked across the street and around to the back entrance. Before leaving I paid my respects to Adam. I usually don’t go inside on missions. They’re typically a funeral only and we arrive a couple of hours before. Adam’s family had open visitation during the morning hours today. I didn’t stay long and I didn’t say anything to anyone there. I thought just being there was enough to say by an anonymous proud American. Seeing Adam in his uniform and his brothers standing guard next to him, I love our military men and women so much. I’m humbled to be in their presence.
I headed back to my truck and grabbed a fresh drink and my flag and moved back to my spot. Not long after, someone walked by passing the word that the uglies were in town and on their way. A feeling of dread fell over me. I prayed things wouldn’t get out of hand and our brave Adam’s day be tarnished. A few minutes later I saw people moving around up the street. I looked up further and I saw their signs and slightly heard someone on a bullhorn. I immediately started heading the hill with everyone else. They were gathering right at the top behind the bikes. Someone had already fired up a loud bike to exercise their freedom of expression. I made my way up to the group and hoisted my flag high. At the back people had stretched out flags. American, Tennessee, Marine Corps we had the whole road covered. The uglies couldn’t see anything except for our backs and our flags. We had 150+ people, well over 100 American flags on poles hoisted high. The word came up from the funeral home that all they could see or hear was us. That’s why the Patriot Guard was originally organized. I felt proud to be standing with all these other patriotic Americans, most Veterans. I’m so glad I found them and joined.
 Annette had a couple of other ride captains helping her. They kept different bikes running so that our voice would be heard. The bikes would overheat if you keep revving them so they’d switch up bikes. They were also bringing water and asking about everyone. They kept reminding us to ignore the uglies and face forward. I was near the back and I did look back to make sure we didn’t have a hole in the flag wall behind me where the uglies can be seen. If so, I’d move over more one way or the other. The glimpses I got of the uglies it didn’t look like more than 10, mostly children. Every once in a while between bikes cranking up I’d hear "God Hates America!" over the idiot’s bullhorn. They also say that God hates everyone. I wish God would cast his vote on the matter and clear it up. If He hates America and me, then I want Him to set me straight. I love my God. I’d do whatever He moved me to do. I know He doesn’t hate me. I don’t even think He hates them!
After my dad served his 24 years in the Army, he went back to school and got his masters in Theology and became a minister of music at a Baptist Church. He later became a Pastor at a couple of churches. If that wasn’t enough, he went back to school and earned a Doctorate in Psychology, opened a clinic to provide faith based psychological treatment, sometimes for free. He was one of the smartest most compassionate people I’ve ever known. I learned a lot from him. I learned that God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten son. Everything the uglies say contradicts my beliefs in God. I can’t even believe for a split second that their leaders believe that every soldier is gay. They seem to put that on the website about every soldier they list. The sad thing is the children they’re raising will believe this stuff is reality. Only in America are you free to teach hatred based on lies of your own country, it’s military, their families and patriotic supporters. Freedom is trying sometimes.
 I don’t know how long we stood up there but it felt like hours. It was probably only an hour or so. The whole time there was a steady trickle of mourners walking up to look at them. They wouldn’t stay long and the looks on their faces walking back told the story. I have to exercise self control to not confront them, but that’s what they want. I couldn’t imagine if they were protesting my loved one. I don’t know if I could contain myself. It would have really been better if they’d passed the word to everyone not to go up. We were ignoring them and if no one came up, they wouldn’t have had much of an audience. But everyone has the freedom to do what they want. I glad I didn’t notice any kind of confrontation. Then all of the sudden some people started clapping. Then I noticed they were leaving. I immediately joined in. They had to leave before the service started according to the police. I may have heard a few taunts, maybe. LOL
I headed back down the hill to where I was before. Most of the others came back also. We stood for another 15 minutes or so and we got the word that the service had started and we could stand down. All the cagers were supposed to head on to the cemetery so I went back to my truck, put my flag away and grabbed a fresh drink. I grabbed a couple more and walked back to the others. I found some takers for the drinks I had and I asked another cager when we were supposed to leave. She said soon. After a few minutes we headed over to our vehicles and pulled out the back. One of the ride captains was leading the way. It was about 15 miles to the cemetery. All along the route flags were out and people were waiting for the procession to drive by. We honked and waved as we drove past them all.
Once there, we parked off the road near the entrance to the cemetery and waited. We waited about 45 minutes or so and someone got the word that they were on there way. We started getting our stuff together and walked across the street and up the driveway closer to the cemetery. We all had flags and lined both sides. Some other local attendees were there and joined in.
 Over the next 15 minutes, family and friends streamed into the cemetery. We made our way up to Adam’s gravesite and I walked to the far side and stood back out of the way. The military handled the ceremony. I couldn’t hear much but a few Marines stood and said some words. I prayed for God to comfort the family and thanked Him for Adam’s service to our great country. The order for "attention" and "present arms" was given. Taps was played, followed by a 21 gun salute. The flag was folded and presented to his mother.
That concluded the ceremony and the some of the people started walking back to their vehicles. I waited for a few minutes and made my way over to some Marines that had gathered together. I thanked them all and told them the they are in my thoughts and prayers daily. They all thanked me, like I’m doing the hard job. LOL I admire them all! I noticed a Sgt. with the 101st Airborne. I had thanked him earlier but I recognized his battalion pin on his soldier. It was the 2nd Battalion, 502nd Infantry Regiment, the same battalion as Sgt. Clarence McSwain. Sgt McSwain’s funeral was my first mission with the Patriot Guard in June of 2006. So I asked this Sgt. if he knew Sgt McSwain. He said he did. I told him about attending and also attending the Eagle Remembrance Ceremony at Ft. Campbell in July. We talked for a minute or two and I thanked him again and said goodbye.
I started back towards my truck, thanking Marines along the way. I said bye to the other PGRs and Carrie and Mona. I had a few bottles of Gatorade left in my cooler so I walked around till I got rid of them all. Well I kept one for myself, I was a little hot. I hopped in my truck and turned on the AC. Most of the vehicles had already left and the last of the bikes were getting ready to leave. I waited on them and headed back to I-40. I was home by 7.
Days later, I was working on this log and ran across a video that someone had posted on youtube. Here’s a link. www.youtube.com/watch?v=FQdNMd0KRhM Adam was an avid ski diver. A friend made a 9 minute video of clips of Adam and his friends having fun skidiving. It has great music with it also. You see Adam laughing and living life to the max. I smiled and I cried. All the missions I’ve been on I only see the family and friends mourning. Adam was the first time I went inside and viewed a fallen hero. Seeing this video gave me a fuller feeling of the incredible loss they must all be going through. Adam looked like he was a lot of fun to hang around with. I’m sure the world is a darker place without him here. I won’t forget him and I’ll pray for his family as often as possible.
Standing by ...
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