I was lucky enough to go on a welcome home mission with the Patriot Guard Riders to welcome home a young soldier.  We escorted him to his church for a welcome home party.  It was the first time I got to meet the PGR members and they were so warm and welcoming.  Most of the members are Veterans or have someone serving in the military.   One mom who is the best lady ever, lost her son in Iraq and she is there to keep his memory alive and help other mom's who lose there children. 

What an experience being able to ride with them and give this young soldier a Hero's Welcome Home that he will never forget.  I won't forget it either. I even learned how you are suppose to hug a Veteran, didn't know there was a special way...... I wish I could post the pics here....

Lisa

Wow, that's great!!! If you get the photos posted somewhere, let us know! I'd love to see.

  Jenifer

 

Okay - So how DOES one hug a veteran.  Love to know.  I just threw my arms around my nephews neck and squeezed him until he turned blue.  I think I did that about 6 times before he finally got away from me.

Mary 

 

Mary:

Okay - So how DOES one hug a veteran. 

 

Here was my attempt at it last year, small though it is.

Lessons In Honor

Mary:

Okay - So how DOES one hug a veteran.  Love to know.  I just threw my arms around my nephews neck and squeezed him until he turned blue.  I think I did that about 6 times before he finally got away from me.

Mary 

 

  Hi Mary I was hugging all thier necks too then the state captain gave me a lesson.  He is a Viet nam vet, you shake their hand just like you would shake hands then you pull them in and hug with your left arm and then your right cheek to their right cheek so you are hugging and shaking hands at the same time.  I got a lot of hugging on Saturday and it was great. 

This mission was a happy welcome home mission not a KIA mission which is why I am posting it here because it was a happy day. I have not been on a KIA mission yet but our State Captain says that you will never be the same after one.  This is a great organization and their main stand is honoring our heros and their familes with respect.

 Lisa

Speaking of heros how is Patrick????

That's good to know!  So...now when I go on my first PGR mission, I will know the proper way to hug a Vet!  Thanks for sharing Lisa! 

Lisajan - Congratulations on your 1st ride with the Patriot Guard Riders!

They are listed on this site under the Other Efforts button at the top of the

 page along with a link to their website.

Ann

Lisa, that is so cool! I wanna do it!! Thanks for teaching us how to hug a vet!

MustangLover:

Lisa, that is so cool! I wanna do it!! Thanks for teaching us how to hug a vet!

Julie Girl,

You really do, the people I met had so much HEART!  It was such an experience to meet so many that care and  respect our troops and our Veteran's in person.  Amazing!

Fifth Mission with the PGR  Marty posted under Brooklyn Borns thread I am so upset about this org I know he is a member himself.  

I just got back from my fifth mission today we did a send off for 2125 Army National Guard it was truly amazing to be there and see these soldier prepare to leave for Iraq . We got to mingle with them awhile.  One soldier thank me so much for the PGR's presence because he "does not get to meet very many patriotic people"  so I gave him my anysoldier card  and told him to register with AS and besides the PGR that there are more people out there who love to support out troops.  The kind of sad thing about this conversation was that he was so surpised that we care....Anyway we made a big impact on these soldiers and their families today and there is not a sweeter thing to see than a soldier holding his tiny baby but also very sad to see them have to say goodby...  It was an amazing day again!

Remember the PGR is always looking for new members and you don't need a bike, all it takes is your time and sometime that is a harder thing to give..

Lisa

I wanted to add to this-I had the honor of meeting some of the PGR members last Saturday at the send off party. They are the most amazing people (along with all of you) you will ever meet. I just joined and will be going on a mission this Sunday. I have never gone somewhere and not really known anyone and within minutes felt like I belonged. For any of you thinking about joining really look into it. I can't say enough about them.

GREAT thread here, thank you!

I invite/challenge ALL support junkies to join the Patriot Guard Riders.

You do NOT have to ride or own a motorcycle, you do NOT have to be or been military.  It is free to join, and as was mentioned earlier, you will not be the same after having done a 'mission'.

A quick brief on a 'mission':  You show up having gotten the information by email (after you join the PGR).  You are briefed by the person in charge (often a 'Ride Captain' or 'State Captain'), and you simply join in with the rest.  Worth your time?  You can't do better.

The PGR is the second best organization in the world.  :)

Join them today at http://www.patriotguard.org/

Hey Marty,

In Georgia they have what are called Mentors along with the Ride Captains and Assistant State Captain and State Captain.  The mentors help the newbies though the process of becoming a member and attending missions.  It is a VERYeasy process.   And guess who was just honored with the request to be a Mentor.  Me!  I am now part of the Georgia Mentor Team of the Patriot Guard Riders.  So anybody with any questions please feel free to email me. lisajan@bellsouth.net

Also, I let my State Captain Gene Altman know that you support the PGR with your positive posts and he is most grateful, because like AS we can use all the wonderful people who want to support our troops that we can get.

Ashleigh did join and she will be going on her first mission on Sunday with us.

Thank you so much for YOUR support of the PGR.

Lisa/ Peackeeper (Gene just gave me my road name)

 

I have spent a good deal of time browsing their website over the past year or two and they really are wonderful.

Let me add my wishes that you participate in many "Welcome Home" smiling celebrations.

Peacekeeper is a beautiful name......Congratulations, Lisa!