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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
Other Tribute Sites
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 26 Aug 2006
 The Department of Defense announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Lance Cpl. Adam R. Murray, 21, of Cordova, Tenn., of the United States Marine Corps was Killed in Action on 27 July 2006, in the Al Anbar Province of Iraq while conducting combat operations in Operation Iraqi Freedom. He was laid to rest with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery on 09 Aug 2006. He was assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Marine Regiment, 2nd Marine Division, II Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Lejeune, N.C.
His medals and awards include The Purple Heart, Navy and Marine Commendation Medal with Valor, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Iraq Campaign, Global War on Terrorism (Expeditionary), Global War on Terrorism (Service), Humanitarian Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon with 1 star, Navy Unit Commendation, Sea Service Deployment with 2 stars, Expert Rifle Medal and Also Expert in Pistol
 Cpl Murray died almost a month before this local memorial service was held. When I saw his name on the PGR site and that he was from Cordova I subscribed to the thread to keep up with the plans. For anyone who doesn’t know, Cordova is a suburb of Memphis. Adam was 21 years old. The D.C. area PGR members showed to honor him when he was buried at Arlington Nat’l Cemetery. It was later announced that there would be a memorial service in town for him.
My son, Cody, said he wanted to come with me. Also a couple of friends from work, and their spouse’s, were making plans to attend. The staging location was Bumpus H.D. on Whitten in Memphis. Ride briefing at 1245 and kick stands up at 1300 hrs. Since there wasn’t going to be an escort through town, Cody and I planned to just meet them at the church a little before their eta.
We pulled into the parking lot and pulled all the way to the back and parked. There were a few cars already there. Ron Mc from work pulled up with his wife and parked next to us. We waited and got prepped and we heard the sound of the group pulling up. Nice sound.
They pulled onto the grass up front. We grabbed our stuff and headed that way. We met Mad Dog near the entrance to the church. Mad Dog was the ride captain for this ride. Cody and I met him in Dyersburg at Pfc. Kevin Edgin’s funeral. He told us to line the walkway and stairs into the church. We moved on up the stairs and manned our stations. As the others started joining in, we lined the entrance and down the drive all the way out to the street. In some places we lined both sides. Well over a 175+ bikes and 210+ people had turned out. I know that these people have the same feeling I have in my heart. We want to show our respect and honor a great American hero and his family.
 It was hot. Mid 90’s, high humidity and scattered thunder storms. Typical Memphis summertime day. All that was missing was some crime. Sorry, but Memphis’ crime is terrible and their schools. That’s why I moved away over 10 years ago. Anyway, I brought 48 bottles of water. It only took 3 trips to the cooler to wipe that out. As many as I could bring, people would gobble them up. I was sweating like Al Gore and a Nascar race. I thought that was pretty funny.
A number of people came out, I assumed family, and thanked us for coming. We told them it was our honor to be there. The pastor came out and said he wanted to see this himself. We got the word later that everyone was quite impressed with our turnout and show of respect and patriotism. That’s the reason I joined. The family felt good about our presence. We helped them feel better on some level. Even if it’s only for a short time. But hopefully they’ll remember us and maybe it will give them some inner peace that their precious son’s life wasn’t lost in vain.
Remember, he was fighting for freedom. The Iraqis and by result hopefully preserving ours. Debate the policy somewhere else, he is part of an honorable few. The one’s that put it all on the line. I thank God everyday for them and ask Him to protect them.
We got the word that the service was about to begin. Some on us could come in and Cody said he was going in. I was sweating too bad and decided to wait outside. We would reform the line after the service for everyone leaving. So I found some shade and hung out with my work buddies that were there. I went back to the truck and got a trash bag that I had. It had been in there a few weeks and had melted together at some points. We pried it apart it served it’s purpose.  We gathered up the empties so we wouldn’t leave a mess behind. On my first mission in Laurel, MS I noticed a mess was left behind. I didn’t have anything to put it in then.
We gathered under a tree near the entrance and talked for a while. The service lasted well over an hour. I recognized a few PGRs from previous missions and talked to them. As the service ended some PGRs came out and gave us the heads up. We passed the word and everyone grabbed their flags and reformed our line. A few came out but most were heading to a room in the church where food was gathered for everyone. We were invited to come in and join them. Cody and I decided not to go in. I felt as if we would be imposing. I’m sure they didn’t feel that way but we walked back to the truck. Ron and his wife were at their bike and we all broke down our flag poles and got ready to leave. A lady came out from the side door and walked over and thanked us all for coming and showing support.
As long as I am able, I will attend any service I can to honor our fallen heroes.
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