WarChild Riding Group


Sandy's Toddle Inn - Chaffee MO
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Patriot Guard

 Patriot Guard Riders Mission Statement

Notice - The PGR store is open since the first of the new year. 

Thank you for your patience.

 The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security. If you share this respect, please join us.

   We don’t care what you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a "hawk" or a "dove". It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn't matter where you’re from or what your income is.  You don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.

   Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives.

1. Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.

2. Shield the mourning family and friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.

   We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.

Folks, this is not just important…

It’s what we do!

Join Us!

RD - SE Missouri Ride Captain

Mailing List

Stars & Stripes Museum

 
babystar.gif (941 bytes)This Day
      in History

The stars and stripes logo
Museum / Library Association, Inc.®

 


To those in military service and to our veterans, The Stars and Stripes represents much more than our American flag.  They recognize it as the newspaper that serves as a medium between soldiers and their families, as well as a reporter of news. 

Over the last 139 years, millions of copies of The Stars and Stripes have been distributed throughout the world.  And, it all began during the Civil War in the town of Bloomfield, located in southeast Missouri.

It was here on November 9, 1861 that ten Illinois Union soldiers, using the vacated press of The Bloomfield Herald, published the first "Stars and Stripes" which they named after the American flag.  One of the original copies of that 1861 paper is now owned by the Stoddard County Historical Society and to be put on loan with the museum.

The Stars and Stripes flourished during each of the five major wars this country has fought.

General John J. Pershing

General John J. Pershing, a fellow Missourian, recognized the value of The Stars and Stripes during World War I, as a great morale builder.


During World War II, General George C. Marshall referred to The Stars and Stripes "as a symbol of the things we are fighting to preserve...free thought and free expression of a free people".

Many famous people have been connected with The Stars and Stripes:  Cartoonist Bill Mauldin; Andy Rooney and Steve Kroft of "Sixty Minutes" were former Striper's as was Harold K. Ross, founder of the New Yorker magazine.  Grantland Rice, Ernie Pyle and other war correspondents have also contributed to the newspaper.

Several former S & S staff members and various war veterans have donated personal letters, unpublished behind-the-scenes reports, back issues of The Stars and Stripes and other interesting war-related items to be displayed or filed as reference material.

All this history will be preserved.   A Stars and Stripes Museum/Library with climate-controlled storage, handicapped accessibility, display and meeting rooms will be invaluable for research.  The facility serves historians, students and writers, as well as the general public.

Motorcycle Safety


  • Get trained and licensed. Research has shown that more than 90 percent of all riders involved in crashes were either self-taught or taught by friends.
  • Ride sober. Alcohol is a factor in almost half of all single-vehicle motorcycle crashes. Prescription and over-the-counter drugs can diminish visual capabilities and affect judgement.
  • Ride responsibly: Wear protective gear, including a helmet, eye protection, jacket, full-fingered gloves, long pants and over-the-ankle boots. Keep the bike well maintained. Maintain proper lane positioning to further increase visibility to motorists, keep a "space cushion" between the bike and other traffic and obey speed limits.
    Source: Motorcycle Safety Foundation
    Motorist safety
  • Be aware of the blind spot. Motorcycles can often fit completely in the driver's "blind spot," the area of vision behind the rear pillar of most cars. Signal before changing lanes and check again before making the maneuver.
  • Wet roads and adverse weather have a greater affect on motorcyclists. Always keep plenty of distance (at least four seconds at higher speeds) if following a motorcycle, more in bad weather.
  • When approaching a motorcycle from the rear or passing another vehicle with a biker in the oncoming lane, it can be difficult to gauge the speed of motorcycles because they take up less of a vision field, which makes depth perception more challenging.
  • Look for road hazards. A significant portion of motorcycle accidents involve swerving suddenly to avoid hazards. If there is a large pothole, a rough train-track crossing or an area with water puddles, anticipate that the rider might take evasive action.
  • Give motorcyclists a full lane for travel and don't pass bikers with a minimal amount of space because the force of the buffeted wind could cause a rider to lose control. Motorcyclists also might choose to ride near one side of a lane to maximize the view of the lane ahead.

    Source:
    www.TheCarConnection.com
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    Total: 760,320
    since: 29 Jan 2005

    Court Decides Westboro Picketers are Losers

    Monday, 29 June 2009 11:28 A GMT-06

    Court rejects Mo. appeal on funeral protest law

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    WASHINGTON (AP) -- The Supreme Court has left in place a court order barring Missouri from enforcing a law limiting protests near funerals.

    The justices refused without comment Monday to hear Missouri's appeal. The state enacted a law aimed at religious picketers who have turned up at soldiers' funerals. Members of the Westboro Baptist Church in Topeka, Kan., claim God allows soldiers to be killed as punishment for the nation's sins, including homosexuality, divorce and remarriage, idolatry and greed.

    Church member Shirley Phelps-Roper persuaded the 8th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in St. Louis to issue an order barring enforcement of the law while a federal judge considers whether it is constitutional.

    The case is Nixon v. Phelps-Roper, 08-1244.

    MODot Slapped for Shafting Missouri Bikers

    Monday, 29 June 2009 8:23 A GMT-06

    (RD Note:  This is unbelieveable.  The Missouri DOT has so much time and money on it's hands from the wonderful job on Missouri roads that it feels obligated to chime in on issues of the life and liberties of Missouri's citizens.  Kudos to the Governor for making a tough call on an issue that surely is a tough one for him.  Read on...)

    MoDOT helmet law poll leads to veto of funding

    Sunday, June 28, 2009

    JEFFERSON CITY, Mo. -- Gov. Jay Nixon has vetoed money for the Missouri Department of Transportation in retaliation for a publicly financed lobbying effort against a bill relaxing Missouri's motorcycle helmet mandate.

    The department recently spent about $33,000 on a public-opinion poll showing that a majority of respondents favor an existing state law requiring all motorcycle riders to wear helmets.

    Department director Pete Rahn cited the poll during a news conference outside a hospital emergency room last month while urging Nixon to veto a bill allowing people age 21 and older to ride helmet-free on all Missouri roads except interstate highways.

    On Thursday, Nixon vetoed $33,000 from the transportation department's administrative budget for expenses and equipment during fiscal year that starts next Wednesday. The Democratic governor said in a written veto message that the cut was "due to administrative inefficiencies."

    Nixon spokesman Jack Cardetti confirmed Friday that the veto was in response to the poll on the motorcycle helmet law, which was funded from Missouri's share of federal highway safety money.

    "The governor thought that political polling was a waste of taxpayers' dollars and therefor he took it out of their administrative budget for next year," Cardetti said.

    Transportation department spokeswoman Sally Oxenhandler said Friday that agency officials "have no response at this point" to Nixon's veto.

    Nixon has until mid-July to decide whether to sign or veto the motorcycle helmet legislation.

    The governor's office has been inundated with e-mails from motorcyclists urging him to sign the legislation. Those e-mails, obtained by The Associated Press under the open-records law, include several in which the authors describe assurances by Nixon that he will sign it.

    In an interview with the AP last month, Nixon denounced the poll, declaring: "Taxpayers are darn sick and tired of people spending public money to lobby public officials like that."

    Rahn has defended the poll as part of the department's mission to promote highway safety, asserting that more motorcyclists would be killed and injured if Missouri's helmet law is relaxed.

    After the line-item veto, the department still is budgeted to receive more than $27 million from state road funds for administrative expenses, equipment and personnel.

    Rebel Yell Rally Raises $12,000 for Kids

    Monday, 8 June 2009 12:06 P GMT-06

    WarChild Riding Group holds rally
    to raise money for St. Jude

    Saturday, June 6, 2009

    (Photo)
    Larry "Hammer" Glueck is president of the WarChild Riding Group which is sponsoring the Rebel Yell Rally near Chaffee, Mo.
    (Fred Lynch)

    CHAFFEE, Mo. -- A winding gravel road to a farm tucked into the hills between Chaffee and Oran, Mo., will lead the way this weekend to raising money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn.

    On Al Friga's farm down Scott County Road 248, the fifth annual Rebel Yell Rally began Friday and will be held through Sunday. The WarChild Riding Group, a 130-member motorcycle organization based in Chaffee, hosts a party every year to raise donations for children's cancer research and local veterans.

    During the weekend rally, attendees camp, enjoy live music, shop from vendors and participate in bike events. Last year, with about 400 people in attendance, the WarChild group raised $6,100 to give to St. Jude. The money for donations comes from a $20 entrance fee to the rally, vendors who give portions of their proceeds and the sale of coloring books created and inspired by the group and a local artist and veteran, Aaron Horrell.

    Larry "Hammer" Glueck, WarChild president, was one of six original members who decided to start the group and designate St. Jude as a charitable cause.

    Glueck said the idea for annual rallies began with his friend and fellow group member, David "P-nut" Grimes, who wanted the WarChild group to be dedicated to a cause helping children and veterans. In 2005, a rally was held on the land donated by Friga, whose son Paul and daughter-in-law Patty are also members.

    (Photo)
    A few motorcycle enthusiasts gather early at the Rebel Yell Rally site Friday near Chaffee, Mo. The event, which continues today, is sponsored by the WarChild Riding Group.
    (Fred Lynch)

    The first year's fundraising saw $250 go to St. Jude. Not long afterward, on June 16, 2005, Grimes died in a motorcycle accident on Route EE between Chaffee and Delta. Glueck said his friend came up with the name "Rebel Yell" for the event.

    Group's moneymaker

    The number of people attending the rally and amount of money raised have grown every year.

    "There are more members in the riding group now than there were people who came to the first rally," said Glueck.

    Glueck said he expects between 700 and 800 people to come out for the weekend.

    (Photo)
    Larry "Hammer" Glueck is president of the WarChild Riding Group which is sponsoring the Rebel Yell Rally near Chaffee.
    (Fred Lynch)
    "This is our moneymaker, if we have enough [people] show up," he said.

    This year the group's goal is to raise $10,000 for St. Jude. A ride to Memphis to donate the money and tour the hospital is planned for July 31 and Aug. 1.

    "Hopefully in my pocket I will have a $10,000 check," Glueck said.

    Glueck said live entertainment, bike events and a raffle are planned during Rebel Yell weekend.

    Two local acts are playing on a large stage set up near the entrance of the rally. Slight Return, a Southern rock band from Sikeston, Mo., and Caney Creek, a country group from Oran, will be performing at dark today. An Elvis impersonator will take the stage at 8 p.m.

    Food and drink vendors are on hand along with sellers of leather goods, patches and T-shirts.

    One vendor, Kirby "K-Bar" Alexander, drove from Kentucky and said this visit was his first time out to the rally. Alexander sells patches for jackets and does sewing. He said he supports all veterans and children's causes.

    "I don't care if I make one penny," said Alexander, a Vietnam combat veteran.

    "The thing about kids is, if we don't take care of them, who is going to take care of us when we get old?" he said.

    Glueck said donations by local businesses J.W. Strock and Bluff City Beer Co. have been a help, since the rally is a lot for him to put on.

    Public camping

    Glueck said the public is welcome, and camping space is first come, first served. He said he expected a steady stream of people by 5 p.m. Friday, and hoped more would come out today and camp. No reservation for camping is required.

    "At past rallies, you get all those people out here, and there's not any trouble," Glueck said. He said everyone comes for a relaxing weekend, the concerts at night and constant music during the day.

    "The thing about the WarChild Riding Group is that we aren't a motorcycle club. We are a group that all we want to do is ride and raise money," he said.

    To attend or camp at the rally, from Chaffee, take Highway 77 south to Scott County Road 248 and follow signs.

    Motorcycle Group Colors Not What You Think

    Monday, 1 June 2009 12:11 P GMT-06

    WarChild, photographer team up to raise money for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital

    Sunday, May 31, 2009

    (Photo)
    Motorcycles and coloring books? Discordant images to most, but a worthy collaboration for Aaron Horrell and the WarChild Riding Group.

    Horrell, a Chaffee, Mo., artist and nature photographer, has worked together with WarChild, the Chaffee motorcycle group, to create and sell a 64-page coloring book to raise funds for St. Jude Children's Research Hospital in Memphis, Tenn. Horrell worked on the book at his own expense, and WarChild is passing all profits on to St. Jude's.

    Horrell, a self-declared "nature fanatic who is willing to lay on the ground to catch pictures of frogs and flowers," has filled the book with compilations of images from life, such as family scenes, various wildlife, farm life and people associated with WarChild. The first image children will encounter is Santa Claus aboard a motorcycle on the cover.

    Horrell said he donated his time and artwork to the book because of the children benefited by St. Jude.

    "I can't think of anything better to give my time to," he said. "There's nothing sadder than seeing a 7-, 8- or 9-year-old with cancer."

    The coloring book is having a successful distribution. An initial 500 copies were printed April 24, and, at $5 a book, the copies all sold by the following Sunday evening. Another 500 copies were ordered the following week and were all sold by the end of that week as well. The books have continued to print and sell, and WarChild is currently up to its 2,000th copy ordered.

    "I was even contacted by a riding group from Tennessee," said Larry "Hammer" Glueck, president of WarChild Riding Group, about the growing interest in the book and its cause. "We've just sent them $150 worth of books to be sold."

    The WarChild Riding Group, whose name represents the military veteran motorcycle riders and the children they seek to benefit, began in 2005 with six members and has grown to 130 members. The project to benefit St. Jude's was inspired by WarChild member David "P-Nut" Grimes, who died in a motor vehicle accident in September 2006 and had wanted to support the hospital in some way.

    WarChild holds poker runs and an annual motorcycle rally to raise money for the hospital. The fifth annual WarChild Rebel Yell motorcycle rally will be Friday, Saturday and June 7 on the Paul Friga Farm off Highway 77 between Chaffee and Oran, Mo.

    "This is actually our big moneymaker," Glueck said. "Our goal this year is to raise $10,000."

    The group will ride to St. Jude on July 31, tour the hospital Aug. 1 and present a check for $10,000, raised through the coloring book and other fundraising rallies.

    When Glueck presented the idea of the coloring book to the riding group, it was initially met with chuckles. After three months of collecting photographs and rendering illustrations, Horrell presented the final images to Glueck in March.

    The work was approved unanimously at WarChild's next meeting.

    "They've apologized now. 'This thing is working great!' they say," Glueck said of the skeptics. "Everybody thinks the world of St. Jude's."

    The coloring book project has become personal. The final page has a picture of the memorial to Grimes, with a poem written by another member.

    Horrell related his own eagerness to benefit others.

    "I spent time with the Seabees in Vietnam. I've seen needy people in bad situations and had my own time dealing with the pain of back surgery," Horrell said. "I know what it is to suffer, but I also know what it is to eat cake."

    The coloring books are available at Sandy's Toddle Inn, Whitaker's Hardware and Hunt Brother's Pizza in Chaffee and at Show Me's, Pop's Pizza and the Gordonville Bar and Grill in Cape Girardeau.

    PA Riders Honored to Join Rolling Thunder Ride

    Wednesday, 27 May 2009 12:16 P GMT-06