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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: Sun 22 Apr 2007
DoD Identifies Army Casualty
The Department of Defense announced today the death of a soldier who was supporting Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Spc. James "Jamie" T. Lindsey, 20, of Florence, Ala., died April 12 in Baghdad, Iraq, of wounds sustained when his vehicle struck an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 3rd Battalion, 509th Infantry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 25th Infantry Division, Fort Richardson, Alaska.
 Over the last four months I have been checking the PGR site for local missions. I saw many in east Tennessee, Georgia and Alabama. The only missions within 200 miles had been on weekdays. I haven’t been able to take off work for personal stuff lately. My friend Ronnie Mac told me he was going to try and make this mission in Florence Alabama. I saw it on the PGR site but it was in Alabama, I figured 4 to 6 hour drive. I did notice that James was in the 25th Infantry Division, the Electric Pepper. That’s the same division my dad served in while he was in Vietnam. He said it’s just across the line from Mississippi off Hwy 72, about 3 hours. So as Sunday approached I decided to go. It’s 178 miles from my house. We were to meet at the church at 12:45 to form our flagline. I decided to leave at 8:30 to give myself plenty of time. I stopped at Walmart in Millington,TN and got 48 liters of water and some ice for my cooler. I had misplaced my red, white and blue hat I normally wear and looked for a replacement. I didn’t see one but I did see a Mark Martin cap with the US Army logo with the star and the words, Army Strong. I like Mark anyway but I felt it was appropriate also.
I finally hit the road in Millington about 9:00. I went into Memphis and jumped on the 385 till it ends at Hwy 72. Then it was 100 miles to the Natchez Trace Parkway about 5 miles into Alabama. It’s a nice drive with rolling hills. Once I got into Northeast Mississippi the hills got bigger. I had forgotten how pretty that area is. I finally reached the Trace and headed North. I had about 17 miles to go on the Trace. It’s beautiful countryside to drive through if you’ve never been. My wife and I drove the Trace south down to Natchez one year. Seeing nature at it’s best makes you feel good. The Trace is where I crossed the Tennessee River. I jumped off on Hwy 200. A couple of turns and about 10 miles later I was at the church in Underwood, a suburb of Florence. It was 11:45.
 A couple of bikes were parked under a parking structure so I pulled up to them. They were from Southaven and Horn Lake Miss, just south of Memphis. As we started talking we realized that we all grew up around the same part of Memphis. I lived in Whitehaven which is near the airport bordering Southaven, MS. It is a small world. We grew up less than 10 miles away and we meet 180 miles away in Florence honoring an American Hero. This was their first mission. They left Saturday and stopped somewhere in between.
After talking a few minutes the ride captain pulled up. He had attended the church service with the family this morning. This mission was a memorial service only. James was recently married in Alaska where he was stationed. His wife is having the military service in Alaska. That’s where James will go. His mother wanted to have a service in Florence for the local family and his friends. We would form our flagline out in front of the church to show our respects and honor a great American Hero. My stomach rumbled and I decided if I was going to eat I’d better go now so I headed into town. After eating I went and filled up my truck so I could hit the road right after the service and get home. I got back to the church about 12:45.
 There were a lot more bikes now. I parked and got out. I started mingling around and letting everyone know that they were welcome to the water in the cooler in the bed of my truck. A couple of people took me up on it. I bought 48 liter bottles. I brought it for everyone to drink. The high was supposed to be 85 or so. Not scorching yet but that’s still hot standing in the sun. One of the ride captains brought his truck with coolers and lots of flags. I found my two original friends I met when I first arrived. They were still in the shade, which was where I was heading. We noticed that the mourners were already starting to arrive. We stood around talking until the ride captains came over about 1:00 to give us the briefing.
James was well loved in the community. He went to church here and wanted to protect America and have a military career. His mother was happy that we wanted to attend and honor another American Hero and show the family our support. All of the day’s activities will be here at the church. We’ll form up out front and stand guard until the service starts around 2:00. Once it starts we’d stand down, in the shade, until the service was almost over. Then we’d return to our posts as the mourners leave. That would conclude the mission. They told us to move on out, grab flags and form up. I brought 2 flags so I just grabbed one. I mentioned to people as they walked by that I had water if they wanted some. I grabbed a fresh bottle walked towards the front.
By the time I got up there, the sidewalk near the church was already lined. We started lining up next to the road about 40 feet away. The church had set out a lot of American flags lining the edge of the road. Matt McKean, a photographer for the Times Daily, took this picture.  Those flags ran for at least 100 feet! It was a beautiful sight. I guess it was about 1:15. The people just kept coming in. A line had formed into the parking lot as they waited to sign the guest book and be seated. At one point there was easily over 100 people in line. It was plenty warm in the sun. I tried to keep my water in my shadow behind me. I was basically facing the south. As it got closer to 2 the family arrived with police escort. They parked against the curb close to the church and waited until someone came out and told them that they were ready. My heart ached and I said a little prayer for God to give them strength. The last of the mourners entered the church. The doors were closed and the captains told us to stand down. I had finished off my bottle already and my feet were already barking, which isn’t common for me. I policed my area and walked back to my truck. I put my flag in the back and grabbed a fresh cold bottle. Ahhhh! I grabbed up a few more and walked out towards the other PGRs and offered them out. It wasn’t too hard to get rid of them. I went back and grabbed a few more and walked around again ending up in the shade. Guess who was there, my buddies from Southaven. We started talking and I sat down. After a couple of minutes, one of the captains came over and told us we were going back out to our positions. They weren’t sure exactly the schedule of the service and the American Legend honor guard was forming up at the front door. So we all grabbed our stuff and walked back to our posts.
 I started talking to a lady who was beside me in our line. Her husband was one of the ride captains. She had met with the mother when her husband visited her to tell her about the PGR. She told me some of the more personal stories that James’ mom told her. I wouldn’t dare put them out on the web, that’s too personal. But the stories just drove home even harder the personal loss she was going through. James was 20 and just married not too long ago. His whole life ahead of him. I can’t even imagine the pain she is feeling. I’ll pray for them all often in the coming months. After some time they opened the doors of the church. The honor guard gave their 21 fun salute. Within a couple of minutes people started coming out. I noticed that a good number of people were thanking some of our members who were closer to the entrance. I know they were thanking them for coming. I know they feel like me. I am so overwhelmed that I am able to have the privilege of attending and showing my respects and honoring our fallen hero. I want his family and friends to know that there are still Americans from all over that recognize their loved one’s service and will remember the price that was paid for us. We could never repay that debt. The PGR motto is "Standing for Those Who Stood for Us". That says it all. A couple of soldiers and some others came over to where we were and thanked us. It’s always an honor to shake a soldier’s hand and tell them that I appreciate their service.
 We stood there until most of the activity out front was over. One of the captains went to see what was next. He came back and said the family and some friends were eating inside. We were all invited to come in if we wanted. Otherwise, the mission was completed. A few times before we had been invited to eat. I appreciate the invite but I would feel like I’m intruding. I’m wearing jeans, t-shirt and hat. Sweat running down my back and face. I decided to get on the road. I walked back to the truck and started packing up. I offered up water. I had put 24 bottles in the cooler. It still had some left. I decided to give the other 2 cases to the captain for future missions. I walked around and said a few goodbyes and hopped in the truck and turned on the A.C. Ahhhh! It was about 3:30. So I read my directions backwards and 3 hours later I was home. I counted as we stood outside and I counted 40. I was so glad I was able to attend. I’ll always remember James and his family. God bless them all.
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