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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: Mon 16 Oct 2006
 The 913th Engineers Company, a Tennessee Army National Guard unit, was returning home from Iraq. They are part of the 46th Engineer Battalion.
They had been deployed since September of 2005 in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. The unit was made up of approx 160 men & women.
One of their unit was killed in action, Sgt Dustin Laird on 2 Aug 2006. He was 23 years old.
 I saw this mission early in the previous week. It was scheduled for Sunday. I had already planned to go and show my appreciation and support. On Thursday I learned about the funeral service in Memphis of Capt Robert Secher also scheduled for Sunday. I wasn’t sure which one to attend. My gut said that my show of support would be better served at a funeral. Later I saw that the welcome home ride had been rescheduled for Monday. I didn’t know if I should take off work or not. Then Monday morning I woke up and looked outside. The weather was terrible. Rainy, windy and in the 60s. I wondered how many riders would have to cancel due to this. So I made up my mind to hop in my 4x4 and show my support.
I took a personal day off, it doesn’t get much more personal than showing support to our defenders. I needed to be in Union City by noon, about an hour and a half from Brighton. So I loaded up the truck and hit the road at 10:15. The roads were puddling and the spray off the traffic made me keep on my toes. I couldn’t imagine doing this on a bike. My hat is off to the PGR bike riders. Anyone that would ride 100’s of miles in this weather shows their true support of our troops. It’s my honor to stand with them at these events.
I arrived at the Wal Mart in Union City a little before noon. A few months ago I picked up a rain poncho. I pulled it out for the first time and looked like a dork trying to put it on with the wind blowing. LOL I finally got it on and walked up towards the front of the line of bikes. The wind blown rain was irritating. Most everyone else had on waterproof outerwear. I was well prepared. I did bring a couple of towels, a couple of jackets and a change of clothes though. Not too bad. I saw Mad Dog, our ride captain, and walked over to him. He was discussing things with others and I just listened. The word was they were running about an hour behind. Sounded about right with the weather and all. So the word was passed to stand down for 30 minutes, then we’d have our ride briefing and get on the road. I went back to my truck to get out of the rain. I don’t care if I get wet standing in a flag line, but I don’t want to get drenched waiting to leave.
 After about 30 minutes they started motioning for us to gather around for the briefing. I moved over to the group. The rain had slacked off to sideways drizzle so it wasn’t as bad. Someone led us in a prayer to start out. Then Mad Dog gave us the briefing. We go up Hwy 51 to the TN/KY border, hang a u-turn and park on the shoulder. The Sheriff’s dept knew we were coming. They would start up their sirens once they saw the buses to give us some warning that they were coming. Then the bikes would pull out and surround the buses on all sides. With the police escort we would have the entire road. All us cagers would follow behind. We would follow them all the way into town and to the armory. Find some parking and go down and welcome them home. He said that any cagers with flags should bring them and fly them. Their flags are attached to their bikes. It’s a beautiful site seeing all the bikes with our great flag waving behind them. Then Mad Dog stated our mission statement that we don’t confront protestors. That is brought up every time. It’s good, we don’t want our reputation to be tarnished. After any questions the order to mount up was given.
We rode up to the border and waited about 15 minutes. We heard the sirens coming and merged into the 3 bus convoy with police escort as they came by. I hung out behind the buses but the bikes got around them. As we headed towards town the bridges that we went under were lined with people, flags and signs. The closer to town we got, the more people we saw. As we passed establishments, the people were out front waving and cheering. Once we got to the last mile or so, both sides of the street were lined with cheering crowds. If that don’t bring a tear to your eye then there’s something wrong with you.
We made it to the amory and found a place to park. I grabbed my flag and stood near the edge of the parking area. I wanted to be out of the way. Everyone had someone to see or someplace to go. I’m just there to be in the background showing my support. It was great seeing all the reunions going on.
After about an hour most of the service men and women had left. Some of the PGR members had already left. I found a couple I saw that were left and said my goodbyes. It rained it’s ass off from Dyersburg to home. I’m glad I was able to go and show support for our troops. I’m glad they’re home and thank them for their service.
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