It’s  like my Facebook wall, or a scrapbook. The patches and pins I wear each have a story. For example, the patch I wear on my back is this one:

Bikers and riders who belong to an MC, RC or MM wear their club patch on their back, usually with nothing else, especially if they have to earn the patch.  Because Randy and I aren’t affiliated with any club, we wear this patch to show honor and respect to our military.  (We do belong to the Patriot Guard, but it’s not considered a club.)

Along the bottom back of our vests, we wear patches that tell about significant events.  I’ve got a patch from the Tail of the Dragon (where I learned to trust myself in curves, as well as trusting God to take care of me in all situations), the Apalachicola  Escort (we were part of a mile’s worth of bikes riding to escort the moving wall through parts of Florida, while thousands of people stood along side the road to salute the Viet Nam veterans who rode with us), and the 2009 Thunder Beach Spring Rally.

The front of my vest has pins that have special meaning to me.  On my right side, under my name patch are ten little metal heart charms, one for each of my grandchildren: Hunter, Dylan,  Chloe, Khloe, Layney, Destiny, Nevaeh, Reid, Talan and Esme.

On the left side, under my PGR patch, are mission pins.  Some missions were funerals for military or emergency first responders; others were welcome-home missions.

Some patches are for specific people- Bill “Snap” Lines was a great friend to everyone in the PGR; when he was killed in a traffic accident, some of his friends had a special patch made up.

And finally, I have some that are funny, but tell a little about me;  for example this one:

I always enjoyed watching “I Dream of Jeannie” when I was young; no matter how much she tried to help, she ended up causing trouble more times than not. I kinda feel like that most days.

Of course, these are only some of my pins and patches; you’ll just have to check out the rest of them the next time you see me. If you have other friends who ride, check out their vest as well.  Every one is individual, so you’ll probably learn something.

And as for the question of leather chaps and jacket – I do enjoy the look and feel of the leather, but  I wear my leathers for the same reason I wear a seatbelt – safety.  If I go down, they offer another layer of protection between the road’s surface and me.

See you on the road!

We get asked a lot of times to explain what the PGR is- some think it’s like a motorcycle club, or that you have to be military to be a member. It’s a good thing that’s not a requirement, or Randy and I couldn’t be in it.

If you think standing at attention or saluting when the flag flies by is the right thing to do, then you belong.

If you think our military members, law enforcement, fire fighters and other emergency first responders deserve our respect and thanks for what they do, then you belong.

If you think that our nation is the greatest place on the earth to live, even when you don’t agree with all the things she does, then you belong.

If you think it’s morally wrong to picket or protest at a military funeral, then you belong.

Before the parade yesterday, our state captain, Penguin, briefed us on the lineup for the parade, and the other activities afterwards.  Then one of the other riders told about the impact that the PGR has had on our nation- somewhere out west, a community pulled together when they found out some protesters were coming to their soldier’s funeral. They showed up with flags, and made sure that the space set aside for the protesters was completely surrounded so the family didn’t have to be hurt again. They did this on their own, because they knew it was the right thing to do.  They belong, too.

The folks along the parade route yesterday, who were waving flags, yelling ‘thank you’ to the vets, clapping, cheering and whistling – they belong too. We all belong.

It’s not a political thing, not a religious thing,  there aren’t any dues, you don’t have to do anything;  you never have to attend a funeral; you never have to stand a flag line – you just have to want to show respect for those who are willing to sacrifice their lives for us.

I’m so glad I get to be a tiny part of such a great group.

About a month ago, he had seen the PGR during a military funeral and told his dad, “if something happens to me, that’s what I want”. They had no idea it would come so quickly – he was killed over New Year’s Day weekend.

Over 60 members of the PGR, some from as far away as north Alabama, came together to honor Steven and his family.  We escorted his family from the funeral home to the church, then stood a flag line for him. His pallbearers included classmates, members of his unit and PGR members.  Seeing the large number of people who came out during frigid temperatures, it was clear that Steven was a special young man who had touched many lives.

I don’t know how to explain what it feels like to stand in a flag line to honor someone; I don’t feel it’s a duty, but it’s something I’m always glad to do.  It’s an honor to be able to show respect to someone who has given such a huge sacrifice for others, but it’s not only that either.  I’ve never known the person we’re there to honor, but I always feel as if I know them during that time. The best way I can explain it, is it’s a very small way of saying ‘thank you’ to a family who has given so much.

I don’t want anyone to feel I’m using this as a way to pat myself on the back, because nothing could be further from the truth – that’s not what the PGR is about; as we say, it’s not about us, it’s all about them (heroes).  I’d encourage anyone to join – you don’t have to ride a motorcycle, because we always need vehicles to help with the escort. You certainly don’t have to be military, or I couldn’t be a member.  All you have to do is want to show honor and respect to our country’s heroes.

After the Luverne Christmas parade and toy run, we pulled back around to the old Armory to put our helmets on, before heading back to the peanut shed for the Biker Appreciation Day.

Randy and I both had our PGR banners on the windshields, and Randy was also flying his American and PGR flags. While we were talking a bit, an older fellow walked up and asked who was riding with the Patriot Guard Riders. I stepped towards him and said that Randy and I both rode with them. He held his hand out to shake mine, and when he did, he put some money in my hands.  He said, “here’s a little something to pay for the next tank of gas; I appreciate what ya’ll do.”

I told him that we really didn’t do anything, and he looked at me and said, “I’m an old Viet Nam vet, and I know that ya’ll keep those scumbags away from our boys’ funerals.”  I told him he was the one who had really done something, but he just smiled at me.

I’ve always considered it an honor to escort a soldier, whether he’s coming home, or whether he’s going to his final resting place.  It always amazes me to have someone thank us for doing such a small thing, for someone who’s given so much.

The veterans who rode motorcycles met in the parking lot at Sam’s in Montgomery; they had a police escort from there over to the Farmer’s Market near the Coliseum. Before they left out,  keychains with Viet Nam beads were handed out.

After they reached the Farmer’s Market, they joined up with the rest of the vets, who would be riding golf carts, cars or walking to rest of the parade route. They were also given t-shirts designed for the event, and pins.

The parade was led out by the Huntingdon’s Scarlet and Grey Marching Band.  Lt Gen. Hal Moore (who wrote We Were Soldiers Once… and Young) followed, saluting the crowd as he rode his jeep into the fairgrounds.

Over 85 vets on motorcycles were next, followed by at least that many more on foot or in cars and golf carts.

The outside part of the ceremony included patriotic music and a flyover by a C-130. Then we moved into the Coliseum where we watched as the colors were posted, and a group from the Sons of the Confederacy presented the colors in full costume.

Lt. Gen. Moore spoke on the service that veterans and their families gave to our country, and the Gold Star Mother did a presentation.

The Grace Notes, a singing group from Montgomery, sang a medley of service songs- each branch’s members stood and sang along with their song.

One of the most touching parts of the ceremony had us all standing in complete silence, while five vets brought in a base, military boots, dog tags, a helmet and a POW/MIA flag; these were assembled into a monument for all those who served. These five vets remained at attention while a wreath was laid at the base of the monument.

Echo Taps was played by four trumpeters – that was almost more than I could take.   Everyone remained silent for another few minutes, then the MC invited everyone to stay for the free concert by Yard Dogs. The ladies at Sam’s put together a beautiful 14 foot high cake that was shared by everyone.

Randy and I were so glad to be able to be a part of this- our friend Steve rode up with us, and we were glad to be able to honor him along with all the other men and women who served.

I’d like to say a special thank-you to Paul “Penguin” Reynolds, who played a big part in getting this celebration together-he and the rest of the committee worked very hard to get everything together, and it was an awesome thing.