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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: Tue 12 Dec 2006
 DoD Announces Change in Status of an Army Casualty
The DOD announced the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Sgt. Dustin M. Adkins, 22, of Finger, Tenn., was pronounced dead Dec. 4 of injuries suffered after the Chinook helicopter he was in made an emergency landing near Haditha, Iraq, Dec. 3. He was assigned to the Group Support Battalion, 5th Special Forces Group, Fort Campbell, Ky.
Adkins arrived at 5th SFG(A), in Nov. 2003. He deployed on his second tour of duty in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom in Aug. 2006.
Adkins’ awards and decorations include the Bronze Star, Army Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraqi Campaign Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Combat Medical Badge and Parachutist Badge.
 Click here for Sgt. Dustin Adkins’ bio
I was watching the news the weekend of Dec 3rd and heard about this helicopter crash. One of the soldiers was missing in the initial reports. Turns out it was him. The town of Finger, TN is about 20 miles south of Jackson. It’s almost 100 miles. I watched the thread on the PGR site to find out when the funeral would be. Once it was scheduled for Tuesday I asked Jay Cole, one of the owner’s of imec, if I could take a day off. He said sure. I think they appreciate what I do and we had nothing pressing scheduled at work.
So Tuesday morning came and I left the house a little after 8:00. It took about an hour and 45 minutes to get there. It rained almost the entire trip, heavy at times. I decided to go straight to the Old Friendship Baptist Church where the service would be held. Some PGR members were to escort the hearse from the funeral home to the church at 9:00. I arrived at the church a little after 9:30. I didn’t notice the time exactly because when I pulled up they had just started to unload Dustin’s body and take him into the church. I grabbed my flag and joined the 3 other PGRs that were already there. As I watched I noticed quite a few service men and women were there. Most were special forces, Green Berets. Dustin was a member of the 5th Special Forces Group based out of Ft. Campbell. They are the best of the best. It was an honor to meet some of them.
According to the U.S. Army Special Operations Command, The Green Berets are uniquely selected, trained and equipped for deployment around the world during peacetime, conflict and war. Regionally and culturally oriented, Special Forces Soldiers are experts in unconventional warfare, direct action, special reconnaissance, foreign internal defense and combating terrorism.
 After they carried Dustin into the church we stood around and discussed what our schedule was for the day. A TV reporter came over and interviewed our ride captain, Merlin. A couple of soldiers came over and thanked us for coming. One of them was a Major General, 2 stars. As always I told them that the honor was mine and thanked them for their service. The service was scheduled to start at 1pm. Another staging was scheduled for 12:15 in Henderson about 5 miles from the church. We went to Pizza Hut and had had lunch and waited to see if more would show. Another 5 showed up bringing our total to 9. Not a very strong showing. I guess being a weekday and all makes the turnout smaller. But we were there for the right reason and 9 people is better than 4. We left about 12:30 and headed back to the church.
The church in on a small rural road off Hwy 45. We turned onto the road and didn’t make it very far when we saw cars parked on the side of the road. So many people had shown up that the church parking lot had overflowed and people were using the road to park. They let the 3 bikes through but all us cager’s had to park on the road. We were a few 100 yards from the church and they had a shuttle bus carrying people up to the church. We all hopped on and they drove us up to the church. We got out and formed our flag line on the back edge of the parking lot. It was about 12:45, the funeral was scheduled to start at 1:00. In front of us were about 40 Special Forces members that were in attendance. There was another 30 or so spread out around the parking lot. The family and friends were in the small church. They had set up speakers outside so that we could hear the service.
 The service lasted about an hour and a half. Some commanders and other enlisted men spoke about their experiences with Dustin. According to them, Dustin was well respected and excelled in his job. He wanted to make a career out of the military and become an officer. He had made the cut and become a Special Forces member, a Green Beret. It made me proud to hear his commitment to our country and it’s defense.
Once the service was over and the mourners had made their way out of the church, they brought Dustin’s casket back out to the hearse. Now it was time to go to the cemetery for the grave side service. Our group headed back to the shuttle and I decided to walk back to my truck, it wasn’t too far. Once I got there I started noticing other vehicles were pulling out and forming a line up the road towards the church. That essentially blocked the road and I knew that the shuttle wasn’t coming back to the vehicles. I guess they other PGRs would ride the shuttle to the cemetery. I pulled into the line and the procession started the 8 mile ride.
Again, parking was tight at the cemetery. I found a spot and grabbed my flag and started walking towards the grave. I think most of the people who attended his funeral also came to the cemetery. It was a big crowd. I found the other PGRs and we formed our flag line again. I couldn’t hear everything but I saw a few soldiers step up and say some things about Sgt. Adkins and lead in prayer. The honor guard gave their 21 gun salute followed by taps and the folding of the flag. They also played a recording of the song, “The Ballad of the Green Berets” written by Robin Moore and Staff Sgt. Barry Sadler. Here are the lyrics:
 Fighting soldiers from the sky
Fearless men who jump and die
Men who mean just what they say
The brave men of the Green Berets
Silver wings upon their chests
These are men, America’s best
One hundred men will test today
But only three win the Green Beret
Trained to live off nature’s land
Trained to combat hand-to-hand
Men who fight by night and day
Courage taken from the Green Beret
Silver wings upon their chests
These are men, America’s best
One hundred men will test today
But only three win the Green Beret
 Back at home a young wife waits
Her Green Beret has met his fate
He has died for those oppressed
Leaving her this last request
Put silver wings on my son’s chest
Make him one of America’s best
He’ll be a man they’ll test one day
Have him win the Green Beret
I’ve always loved that song. My dad and I used to watch the movie called “The Green Berets” starring John Wayne. I’ll never hear it again without remembering Dustin Adkins. Once the ceremony was over they escorted his family to a waiting car. Sgt. Adkins leaves behind his wife, a 3 yr old son and a 2 yr old daughter. After they left we started walking back to the parking area. A few soldiers came over and talked to us, thanking us again for coming. As always, it’s totally our honor and privilege.
I left Finger a little after 4 and got home around 6. I want to thank my boss, Jay Cole, again for allowing me to take off work and pay my respects to a fallen hero. We must never forget the cost of freedom. Remember the saying, Freedom isn’t Free. Please thank the men and women who pay the price day after day for our freedom. One of the officers that spoke at the funeral quoted The Special Forces Prayer. If you don’t know it then here it is,
 Almighty God Who art the Author of Liberty
and the Champion of the oppressed hear our prayer.
We the men of Special Forces, acknowledge our dependence upon
Thee in the preservation of human freedom. Go with us as we
seek to defend the defenseless and to free the enslaved.
May we ever remember that our nation, whose oath
"in God We Trust," expects that we shall requit ourselves
with honor, that we may never bring shame
upon our faith, our families, or our fellow men.
Grant us wisdom from Thy mind, courage from Thine heart,
and protection by Thine hand. It is for Thee that we do battle,
and to Thee belongs the victor’s crown. For Thine is the kingdom,
and the power and glory ~ forever.
Amen!
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