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Pics are from top to bottom, click on a pic for a larger pic, text for a pic is under the pic.
Thank you Mr Payton for your service! Healing Prayers for family and friends during this time of passing. Rest in God's Loving Arms, your mission is complete.
PGR was asked to escort Navy Veteran James Payton's ashes to his final resting place. I felt that making this mission was important as it was a long weekend and not sure what the turnout would be. I'm happy to say many showed up for the escort!
We had 12 scoots and 1 cage show up for a total of 14 riders! Thank all that rode!
Our ride captain Mark H did a great job, thank you, and thank all that do the same!
As I left, the weather was a bit iffy, got hit by a few small squalls. but my new shield / fairing worked fine! I learned later in the evening at slow speeds, stop and go... not so good!
My sweet Ruby in front and a yellow Can Am at the right.
Nice wing in front flying 3 nice full size flags on the rear.
Our MIA/POW representatives front left and center by their cage, Tom and Nancy E.
Our road guards in the rear as we stage at the Veteran's home preparing to provide escort to his final resting place. They did a GREAT job! Thank you! A flawless ride!I told either Rich M or Mark H, this was a coincidence, the Veterans home was just one street from where I bought Ruby, about a block away.
We arrived at the final resting place and stood our line. Notice the head stones were recessed, it made walking a bit difficult. This shot was on the way back to the scoots after the service.
I always tell folks all missions are different, and this one was also.
I really felt sorry for the family, they were - as all - in distress, and waited patiently for the service, and sad to say there was a communication problem and the Pastor did not show up.
One of them asked if there was a pastor in out group to fill in , and we do have some, but not today.
The family decided, after a while remembering and spending time with their fallen, to walk the PGR line, thank us and leave. I was an honor to be there! Thank you for asking us to attend!
Pics are from top to bottom, click on a pic for a larger pic, text for a pic is under the pic.
Title says it, the 235th was coming home and they were coming into all 3 airports. I elected to do San Jose and on to Oakland. The entire trip was too much for me and would have me coming back in the dark and I don't have good night vision. So after the escort to Oakland, I peeled off... heard the trip went fabulous!! Well deserved too!!
Got to our staging site in San Jose and had a nice showing! Ten bikes showed up and one 2-up.
Pics of the bikes...
Moose, Mike A, Beth, Slick John, Hank, Suzy A, Jim, ? and Dave. Hope I got them right!
Staging behind the bus.....
The folks in uniform were here to welcome the returning GI's and get them on the bus and take them home.
The bus taking off was interesting, it went forward and lurched up and left... back and lurched left... then someone in the bus got out and got the wheel chocks!!! GBG
I guess they really DO work!!!!
We get to Oakland nice and easy, great ride, and here's Bunker loosening his flag.
Everyone getting ready to go inside.... we were about 1 1/2 hour early so a bit of time to wait. Tom Hoynes met us at the 98th st off ramp and followed us in, then went to the Harley place to see if any folks showed up at that staging site. I later heard that another dozen were there.
Mark Harris right of center, our RC and he did a GREAT job! I liked the double circle in San Jose Airport! GBG I hadn't done the inside loop before. The bus apparently moved to a point that we could not reach the way we came in, so a round about was in order.
Thank all that rode!!! Glad to see our finest coming home! God Bless and enjoy the welcome home!
Pics are from top to bottom, click on a pic for a larger pic, text for a pic is under the pic.
We had a welcome home for Sgt Nicholas Busse, were to meet at Oakland airport and escort to Petaluma. I don't normally do the long rides up north, but my friend Rich Martin was RC and I was afraid there would be a minimal turnout for such a long ride.
I had planned on the Pleasonton Vet parade, but felt this young man needed another flag and hug! For those that went to the parade, hope it was as great as usual!
Well, I can't call 'um! This is a shot of a few of the bikes... we had - 32 - bikes show up!!
I was amazed, so was Rich! MANY came from up north and more were going to meet the other side of the San Rafael bridge and join the line... Outstanding! Thank you!
More bikes and more came in after the pics.....
Here is our parking allocation at OAK and PGR thanks the security folks at the local airports for their help in letting us park free at easy to access spots during these missions!
I hold my head in shame, my pics bombed.. but this is what I have! When he got into the line, dad gave him a great big hug!!!! It was great, then he walked the line to claps and cheers!!
More blur.... %&!)(%&!_$)&%!*#)(
Here is why I wanted to post this blog after my terrible pics.
I didn't get this heroes name, but he was a Korean vet and wanted to join our line, and was welcomed with open arms!!! He said, I never got a welcome home, we all said WELCOME HOME!!!! He got hugs and I took one of my Mission Complete metals off my vest and Rich gave it to him! He was pleased and so were we!
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OK, don't go any further - graphic pics... They had soooooo many bikes, and the family had a dozen pounds of pulled pork cooked for sandwiches,, and that to me is 100 to 1 in weight, so I told Rich that I'd do the line and head south.
----------------- horrible pic follows!! -----------------------------
11/1 and I was cranking in 80 deg weather, I cranked 19 miles and took a 1.5 mile route up to 12% grade that took about 25 minutes. 1.5 miles at 5 mph is 18 minutes so I was running 3 - 4 mph cranking up the hill, and it was gorgeous!!!
The risers are "special" they are long and I can sit up straight and comfortable, the pump under the frame has been used many time over the past couple decades. the carry bag behind the seat has a full set of tools, patch kit, trail mix, glasses, spare tube - I've seen them not repairable, asthma inhaler... and MUCH more!And I've use most for other riders. I've stopped by folks with flats and long faces... said, Hey! would you like to fix that!? It made their day and hope they learned and are still cranking! Yes, I've even given my tube to folks that needed it. One time the lady had a 26" wheel and said, it wont fit.. I said watch.... put it in folded it over a bit and pumped it up, it got her home... you get resourceful in a bind!
If you look close at my left eye, there is a little round dot, it's a review mirror called third eye at any bike shop, would not ride without it!!!
Great day and great ride hope it was the same for all! God Bless!
