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Big turnout today to honor Mr. Esping’s US Navy service. We had 20 in the flag line at the church and cemetery, and 46 bikes on the short ride between the two. I was happy to hand out first mission pins to many riders. A huge thank you to Beth Borkosky with the United Clubs of Austin for getting the word out to the various biker groups and clubs represented today.

The family was understandably moved by this tribute. All went smoothly, and the rain held off for the 3 hour duration of the mission. Thanks to Don Ferguson for once again bringing flags, water, and posting static flags at the church and cemetery in advance.

RIP, Yeoman Wayne E. Esping. Fair winds and following seas.

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From the family of LtCol Martin Dourte.

Dear Sir,
There aren’t enough words nor could we thank you enough. I must say it was the best part of the day! What a glorious sight to see the flying flags lining the driveway. You all bring such a meaningful presence and even though we don’t “know” each other, the essence of a deep bond filled my heart. You give validation and the utmost respect to the lives served.
On behalf of my family and all the other families you so selflessly serve, Thank You and safe riding.

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Thank you to the eight riders who stood the flag line today in honor of Mr. Kevin Gardner’s service to our country. Before we began our briefing we were visited by two of his daughters and a son-in-law who told us some stories of their dad. He would refer to his service in top secret USAF programs as working in the “Twilight Zone”. Speaking with them and others it was clear our presence made a difference today.

Don did his usual great job of staking flags in advance. With the addition of our flag line it was a patriotic scene as the many mourners arrived.

RIP SSgt Kevin D. Gardner. Thank you for your service.

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We were humbled to be part of such a moving event as hundreds of uniformed first responders, family, and friends paid their final respect to Chief Maher.
Two PGR big flag bikes accompanied the law enforcement escorted procession from the funeral home up to Shoreline Church. Then, 14 PGR formed a flag line along the route of the foot procession which followed, consisting of bag pipers, color guard, many uniformed personnel, and the fire truck bearing Chief Maher. Once everyone had entered the church, we struck the flag line and departed.

Thank you again to Don Ferguson for bringing the flags and staking many in front of the church well prior to the start. And thank you to all who attended this memorable mission.

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We had a great time this morning participating in the escort of this mobile 9/11 exhibit. Georgetown PD led the way, WSCO motors managed the intersections, and 12 PGR preceded the 80 ft truck/trailer to its location next to the Field of Honor, with a GTFD ladder truck bring up the rear.

We especially enjoyed visiting with the four retired NYFD fire fighters who are accompanying this mobile memorial and were on-duty that terrible day.

Thank you to all who attended this morning. The exhibit and Field of Honor run through next Saturday, 12 Nov, so get out to experience this patriotic event.

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From Gary Mayers.
What a beautiful day to Honor one of our fallen Soldiers. Mr. Robert Laurence Sieck was laid to rest on Sunday, 30 October 2022 at the Charles F. Austin cemetery. Robert served as a Corpsman in the US Navy from 5/2/1963 to 5/1/1969 as he was deployed to Vietnam with the 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines combat unit on the front lines.

Mr. Sieck’s Daughter came over to greet us and thank us for being a part of her dad’s celebration of Life. She told us about her father and all the things that he did for the community and his Family. This mission started at the Harrell Funeral Home in Austin. Four Patriot Guard Riders assembled to Honor Mr. SiecK including one rider from San Antonio. LEO escorted the procession for a 20 minute ride to the cemetery. Upon arriving at the cemetery we dismounted and formed an honor line behind the hearse. With the casket moved from the hearse we followed behind the coffin to the resting site where we formed another honor line until the casket was put in place. There was a good show of family and friends. We quietly departed and ride captain thanked riders for attending and told them to have a save ride home.

RIP Robert Laurence Sieck. Thank you for your service to our Country.

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It was a nice turnout of 15 patriots to stand in honor of Mr. Edwards, father of one of our own riders, Toby. And we had three first time riders, which was wonderful!

The flag line was in the sun, but a decent breeze made it OK. The family and friends came out of the building to see and photograph the flag line. Toby approached the flag line and shook everyone’s hand and thanked us for honoring his father.

Two of our riders folded and presented the flag to Mrs. Edwards inside the hall.

Thank you again, Max, for bringing the flags and water. And thanks to all who attended. You made a difference today.

RIP, SGT Edwards.

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Just like last week, another super group of patriots showed up to stand in honor of LTC Hibbs. Seven of us stood at the FH & again at the cemetery. Both of the colonel’s sons stopped at the flag line to relay how much our being there meant to them. One son, Jim, asked about becoming a member of the PGR.  I talked with him about that & also about becoming a Flag Wrangler out of the Elgin area.  He does not ride but has a super looking vintage pickup that he wants to mount flags on.

The day was again hot, but we managed to find shade to stand in at both locations.

Military honors were rendered by a contingent of Army guys wearing both the current dress uniform & three with period uniforms of the colonel’s era. It was quite impressive.

Thank U “Sonny” for your service & rest in peace. U deserve it.

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Thank you to the 11 PGR who came to Rockdale yesterday to honor submariner Matula. We had a new rider, Cathy from Georgetown, and riders from Bryan and Dripping Springs.

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Nine riders met the family in Bastrop for the ride to his daughter’s house. (It was a little damp for some of us getting there.) One of the bikes was ridden by his grandson, Travis, and a new rider Patty from Liberty Hill on her Spyder. We had a nice turnout of American Legion riders join us, too. Mr. Jensen was a long time member. All totaled four first time riders on this mission. Very nice!

Five of us stayed for the memorial service, forming a flag line while the US Army honor guard played taps and folded and presented the flag. We hung around afterward for refreshments with the family who couldn’t be nicer folks.

Thank you again, Max Vasquez, for bringing the flags, and for persevering in finding the place!

We learned the many ways Dell Jensen was a true patriot. It was our honor to participate in his farewell.

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We had 12 patriots standing the flag line to help the Granger community remember their fallen on this Memorial Day. We stood in a semicircle behind the memorial while the names of Granger warriors lost in battle from WWI through the present were read. The event lasted only 30 minutes and concluded with live taps. It was as heartfelt a tribute as one could attend. The small towns have always seemed rich in love of country and respect for the flag.

We had a first time rider today! Welcome, Michael. And thank you, Don Ferguson, for bringing the flags and posting many at the site including the service flags. Afterwards some of us went to the Cotton Club where the local American Legion provided coffee and donuts.

We received much recognition and thanks from the organizers and those in attendance. It was a fitting start to the day.

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Four PGR accompanied 1LT Knipscher and family from the funeral home in Georgetown to CTSVC in Killeen. We spoke with her husband and son who both expressed their thanks for our participation. It was our honor to do so.

Three bikes led ahead of the hearse and a trike flying three beautiful flags followed behind it, followed by 6 or so family vehicles. All went smoothly and per plan.

Thank you to those who attended. Godspeed, 1LT Knipscher. May He bring comfort to your family.

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A breezy, pleasant spring day for the 13 riders who came out to honor the service of US Army and law enforcement veteran Roger Nitchman, Jr. We were happy to welcome a first time rider, Jeffrey Palermo.

We rode together from our staging location to a parking location secured for us with cones by the local American Legion members who were on hand to participate in the memorial service. We formed a flag line on each side of the Fallen Warriors memorial for the 55 minute event.  A little longer than anticipated, but everyone held up fine.

A US Army honor guarded folded the flag and played taps toward the end of the event. The MC publicly thanked the PGR for attending, resulting in applause from the assembled crowd.

RIP SGT Roger H. Nitchman, Jr.

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From Mr. Bartolini’s daughter today.

Thank you for celebrating my father’s, Alfredo Bartolini’s, 95th birthday this past January. He died yesterday and so you made his last birthday very special. That you did so touches my heart. Thank you again.

Christina

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From the family of CPO Michael Anderson

I just wanted to take a moment to express my family’s deep appreciation for the PGR for coming out and displaying such an honor for my Brother Mike. He would have been so impressed. I was blessed to meet some of his shipmates from the Oldendorf and was able to confirm the “alleged” antics we spoke of early. and they added that he may have participated in the mooning of said foriegn sailors on one occasion or another.

Again, Thank You Guys for all you do.

Larry Anderson

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