PGR ALERT - 100 Marines Pictures

[rlfaubion]

DJ, Redeye and his wife Anita and I from this forum, together with other Sacramento area riders rode to Westly to meet the convoy. They were about 2.5 hours late. There was plenty of time talk with old friends.

Later a private car carrying some Marines stopped and talked for awhile. They were appreciative of the effort made from San Diego north.

Soon two large busses carrying the Marines sped by. We mounted up, caught and passed them. As our Sacramento group exited the freeway in Livermore another 50 or so bikes joined the convoy.

It was quite a sight, and thanks to all who participated.

[cactusjack]

Ron,

I wish I wasn't so far away, as a former Marine, I'd be proud to do a ride like this.

[rlfaubion]

Yep, I know you would enjoy this CJ.... It is an honor for the PGR and all associated to be able to participate. I expect an impressive sight on Sunday. Redeye and his bride from this forum are riding thier bikes with convoy too.

[cactusjack]

Originally Posted by Valdez (lone Juan)

Yep, I know you would enjoy this CJ.... It is an honor for the PGR and all associated to be able to participate. I expect an impressive sight on Sunday. Redeye and his bride from this forum are riding thier bikes with convoy too.

30 years ago, I was stationed at Camp Pendleton. I'll bet it hasn't changed much.

[rlfaubion]

I did my advance infantry training there in 1963/64... Bet your right. Although they had a big fire there this year may have alterered some scrub brush

[vulcanero03]

southern ca. riders, is anybody going?? do your part, thank these guys for their service, they deserve it big time. hope to see lots of bikes joinning the convoy along the way.

[rlfaubion]

FINAL Notice for Northern California from Bill Hawkins, Ride Caption:



Here is our plan for Sunday, November 9, 2008

Meet at the Sacramento Veterans Resource Center 7270 E. Southgate Drive, Sac 95823 Arrive at 10:45am for the 11am service. This service will last approximately 1 hour. (flyer sent 11/2 regarding this event)

We depart from the SVRC approximately 12:00 hrs. and ride to the Westley Rest Area on I-5 (near I-580 )

We will ride in groups of 5-8 down to the Rest Stop, or you may prefer to ride with someone else, another group, or to another location...

Arrive at Westley Rest Stop approximately 1:30 p.m. refuel and wait for the northbound convoy. All indications
are that they will be traveling past the rest area just after 2:30 p.m.

At this point you may do one of the following...

a. Join the convoy and ride to the Alameda Training Site - 2144 Clement, Alameda. (
http://tinyurl.com/6xrq7k ) return home on your own.

b. Join the convoy and ride with them to the Altamont staging point. Staging at Quick Stop, 951 N Vasco Rd Livermore, Ca ( http://tinyurl.com/6pmgff ). return back over the Altamont and north home.

c. Stand on the overpass with your flag, let the convoy pass under and Welcome Home the Marines... then return north and home.

The choice is yours, but always ride safely and be on the alert, ride safely and with respect.

[anita]

The 4 Marines that stopped and talked to us said that the last time they came in NO ONE came out to welcome them home and that we really made there day. I gave them all a hug and told them we really appreciated what they were doing for all of us.
Anita

[redeye]

AHH my friend Valdez, the master of under statement. What he is not saying is how cool it was to see our Sacramento group of 40-50 bikes parked single file along the fence in the Westly rest area. Everybody waving large 6' American Flags as the convoy passes by.

The Marine's convoy consisted of 8 motorcycles riding in formation as a color guard. The buses then pass with the Marines waving out the windows at us & we're waving our Flags back at them. Behind the buses was another group of about 100 bikers riding in parade acting as an escort. All of this happening at 70 mph.

I folded our flag. Took off & tried to catch the parade, but at 95 mph & Anita on the rear of my Nad, we were unable to catch up before we had to turn around.

We were lucky enough to speak to four Marines who were in their private vehicle & stopped at the rest area. They were very appreciative of the efforts of the PGR and everybody who turned out to Welcome them Home.

I thought it was VERY COOL to be a part of the whole experience. Thank you my friend Valdez for this thread........-Rich

[rksaw]

Anita,
Nice to have you on the forum. And thanks for welcoming the troops.
Rich

[Kawhead]

Thanks Valdez, I love that stuff!!!!!

[rlfaubion]

This is to DJ, and any others from the KawaNow Forum that may have participated in this Welcome Home ride . If you know of others that rode, please pass this email from the Ride Captain, Doug, on to them. Good job to all, and thanks....

What can I possibly say to express my gratitude to all of the people that participated in this weekends Welcome Home. It is amazing to me that an organization that does not have a formal "organization" can come together and do what we did. Plus, all of the other organizations (of a similar nature) that came and contributed and assisted and where there. I'm afraid that if I try to list their names I'll forget a name and someone will be offended. And the same with the PGR. My name for everyone is simple - Patriot!

I have a couple of updates for those of you that didn't experience the run all the way (Camp Talega to Alameda). Total bikes that participated - best guess, 400 to 600. Bikes joined on the fly at at least 7 locations. Spots along the freeway where we had people along the side of the road, on overpasses, on the side of the freeway, etc - at least a dozen. Types of people holding signs etc - regular everyday patriots plus, Blue Star and Gold Star parents, police, CHP (who also gave us a pass when we were a little over the speed limit - not to mention the unscheduled & unrequested escort to catch up), fire department personnel and MORE. Cages involved in the convoy - a total of at least a dozen overall. For those of you that missed coming over the Grapevine - temp 34 degrees, rain, WIND WIND WIND. Amount of "non members" passing and giving thumbs up to the Marines - HUGE. Amount of thumbs up received by the Riders from the people we passed - HUGE. In addition, truckers on their CB's were raving about the convoy and blasting horns, spreading the word. Amount of negative reactions - zip, zero, nodda!! News coverage - 6 newspapers, 4 TV stations. Amount of family, friends and Marines telling US thanks - HUGE.

And finally, the biggest heart felt thanks of all - mine. Thank you all for making this a fantastic Welcome Home.

Don't ever forget.

Doug/SgtMaj

Doug Lyvere
SgtMaj, Marine ret
PGR Regional Ride Captain
www.patriotguard.org
www.eaglesup.us
Road Guard, Ride For The Wall
www.rftw.org
415-309-2510

[djh]

I had a great time meeting you all and riding along. I certainly will send this along . I definitely know what The Marines in the car who stopped at Westley
felt when they had previously returned home without any welcome home from the public. Wasn't much of a welcome home back then either. As an Army veteran we all need to show our appreciation for The men and Women who serve VOLUNTARILY OUR NATION. I look forward to the day when we won't have to be welcoming home our troops from war! But until then I will be there any time anywhere. DJ D 158th Avn 101st Abn

[rlfaubion]

Hey DJ - I forgot to mention Redeye and his wife Anita attended this ride too. Good meet'n ya Dan.... The remember 101st saw a lot of action and did a great job while I was in Country.

[schoeney]

Valdez + Redeye,

Just the pictures and description made me well up....I can't imagine how good it made all those soldiers feel.

Great work.