Monday, April 20, 2009

PGR-Welcome home Marine Sergeant Casey Pilkington

Pics are from top to bottom, text for a pic is under the pic, click on a pic for a larger pic....

Welcome home Marine Sergeant Casey Pilkington was the mission and about 40 folks showed up! Great ride!

We met at Bob Dron Harley dealership in Oakland and the folks just kept coming in! By time we left it was quite a line.



I took this pic early, as many more arrived.. Kimo in front..


More on the other side of the lot...


The ride captains Rich M and Don N talking to family and road guard Panak in the background....


We arrive at the terminal.. the security folks let us part in special places, and it is fantastic, it helps us out a bunch!


Folks are aways impressed by our flag line, but today was special as we had sooooo many folks!


Casey walking thru the flag line! He shook everyone's hand.... I made him give me a hug..


Getting back to the bikes and heading to the staging area before 880 to wait for the family to make their way out of the airport.


After a nice ride.... that's with a GBG... down 880 to 238, 580.. past the Infamous 580 / 680 mess, and thru Livermore, we arrived safe and sound! Our road guards did FINE!!! Folks gathering around.


My friend Roy wanted to take a pic of me.. I'm normally behind the camera.. I gotta get back to my "friend" behind me for the rabbit ears!!! GBG That comes with a laugh, I've done it too!


Casey just came home, his brother has just recently arrived, so it was a double mission, for both of them! God Bless 'um both! And the family that serves with them! They ain't alone....


'nother pic...


Don N telling the family what "pain" they have to go thru... presentations, pics.. oh the hurt... GBG


Family pic on the right...


The Livermore VFW showed up to support two American Heroes!!!


The family, dad and mom in the middle.. While at the airport, dad came by me and said God Bless, he's on American soil! As proud and loving as any Dad could be! At the time, I didn't know he was Dad, but later gave him a big hug!


One of the penalties of a PGR mission... we want a group pic! GBG


Dad walking over to the group..


The VFW and our heroes..... the man on the left was the Livermore VFW Commander and was pleased to see the turnout.


And the MOST important! A Family pic!!! God Bless and be safe for All! Thank YOU for inviting PGR to welcome home your sons.

PGR - Send off for Jesse Chapman Pacifica, Ca

Pics are from top to bottom, text for a pic is under the pic, click on a pic for a larger pic

Jesse is headed to Afghanistan after healing from injuries in Iraq, you have to admire his grit and courage! God Bless and be safe! See you when you come home!

He didn't want the traditional escort to the airport, said he would rather just have a party and the family take him when it was time. Have to honor that.. I did tell him that coming home would be different. Dad will see to it! GBG

Debbie Smyser invited PGR to celebrate Jesse's pending send off and threw in free pizza, that and it was a fine sunny Sunday and a beautiful day for a ride, I was one of the few that could not turn that down! Curt from Los Gatos showed up also.....


The proud family! Mom and Dad, Joyce and Ed and Jesse! God Bless! Thank you all for your service!


Proud Dad Ed taking some pics... we had 26 show up and 2 were PGR riders. I was real glad to be there, I was at Jesse's home coming escort when he came back from Iraq. http://pgrwelcomehomejessechapmansf.blogspot.com/


The young man in front is in the reserves and just back from boot camp.. intends to go to college and then serve.


Debbie Smyser behind her mom. They had a special on Ch 5 about her volunteer work sending boxes of goods to our troops. Very nice! The Pacifica Blue Star Mom's made a plaque for Luigi's for all the fine work he has done to assist in their efforts, see below. They pack boxes at his restaurant after closing hours. He also sponsors fund raising events on their behalf.


I thanked him for his help and supporting our fine young soldiers and families!


So as all things must end... I decided to take 1 south to 84, 35, 9 and super slab home, I love taking pics of Alice's at 84 / 35 intersection... and I needed a "rest" stop! GBG

Altho I had plenty of rest on 1 from Pacifica to 92 at Half Moon bay, got to walk my bike for a few miles.. forgot about 1 on a sunny Sunday! GBG

Thanks to all the fine folks in Pacifica! Those that serve and their very supportive parents! God bless!

PGR - Welcome Home for Army PFC Veronica Corona

Pics are from top to bottom, text for a pic is under the pic, click on a pic for a larger pic...

Short notice! Welcome Home for Army PFC Veronica Corona was on the PGR menu and a mission was on the books!

It's great to see our heroes coming home, especially when they don't know there will be a welcoming committee GBG


We meet at our usual staging point by the airport.. 7 bikes, great showing! Thank you all that ride!


Veronica's family anxiously awaiting the arrival...


Veronica has welcome home posters! Very well done! I don't know names and will not try...


Another poster!


Family member talking to PGR riders...


We even had some Blue Star Mom's show up! Of course folks were passing thru....


Getting ready for the much anticipated arrival!


Well, look who showed up! Lots of hugs!


Dad behind Veronica...


Lots more hugs, and very well deserved!


Greeting after the family has a few minutes..


Mom, Veronica and Dad!


So we head out to our staging area to wait for Veronica and family to come by...


We get home and .... Sorry Dan, about the head!!! GBG More hugs!


ALL rides come with a cost! GBG Rich is giving the welcome home and service pin!


Did I say a cost? The cost is they have to take a picture with us!! GBG A very pleasant picture!
Of course the Cranky dude was not in it... busy taking pics, and loving it!!!

God Bless and welcome home! Rest, enjoy and THANK YOU for your service! God Bless and be safe!

PGR - Welcome Home - PFC Mollinea/PFC Caceres, San Jose

Pics are from top to bottom, text for a pic is under the pic, click on a pic for a much larger pic...

Pfc. Jessica Mollinea and Pfc. Isaias Caceres were coming home and asked PGR for an escort and a ride was on the books! Always an honor and a fun time welcoming home our troops! Jessica didn't know about the welcome! I love these, they are aways fun! GBG

Sloopdog won the RC leader honor, good on Ya and you did a great job! We had 12 bikes / 13 riders and that was a great showing for a short notice mission! Thank you all for riding!



We staged at our normal spot by the airport for a meet and greet... I'll bet the Chevron's attendents wonder why or how all these bikes show up all the time!


Another view of the bikes... Goldie flying 'er flag high! GBG


Our VIP parking lot at the air port! I can't tell you how much we appreciate the security folks letting us park in an easy access spot for the missions!



Folks getting ready to go inside...


Doug / Sgtmaj scoping things out... red cap.. We had a good time with the passengers that were coming by! They were amazed at our flags and motorcycle gear, lot of good natured folks..


Finally getting off the plane.. Isaias was already here and went to escort Jessica off the plane...



John showing off his very capable camera work and Sloopdog looking on...


More pics...


We stage at the 87 south on ramp and wait for our heroes to get baggage and out of parking.


We arrive at home, we were quiet, honest folks.. cross my fingers and legs!!! We did however let folks we were coming by.. GBG Someone, I don't know who was making noise tho......



This is the price they pay for the escort, a group pic... John was taking it so missed out on being in the pic.... Thanks John!



Had to get Mom into one of the pics!


We heard what has become a common expression.... I'm going to have to get a bike.. GBG Looking great! Jessica took a sit on Sloopdog's very nice looking bike!


Well, one pic only makes it necessary for two pics!! Isaias on Don's very nice bike with Jessica...

Ride safe all and be safe all that serve! God Bless..... Cranky