WarChild Riding Group
Sandy's Toddle Inn - Chaffee MO
Bikers Who Care – We Support:
Finding Cures – Saving Children
Free Spirit
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
Stars & Stripes Museum
 This Dayin History |
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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. |
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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. |
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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. |
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A Memorial to Al Gannon
Returning bikers mourn loss of icon
DAYTONA BEACH -- For 20 years, Barbara Ricciardi offered the Main Street preacher little more than a crass Jesus joke or a mocking quip.
"It didn't matter how drunk I was or how little clothes I had on, he was always kind," Ricciardi, 57, said with tears in her eyes. "Now that I finally understand him, he's gone."
Al Gannon, 82, missed his first Bike Week in 30 years. He died Oct. 22 while on his way back from Biketoberfest after a motorcycle accident that happened a few miles from his Tampa home.
About 25 people gathered in the 800 block of Main Street singing Amazing Grace and relaying personal stories of Gannon, who came to Daytona Beach events to introduce bikers to Jesus.
Ricciardi, an owner of Bull Dog Leathers on Main Street, said she accepted Jesus into her life five years ago but didn't have to tell Gannon. "He noticed it before I did," she said. "He told me he could see the change."
Main Street Cafe owner Ginny Cornell bought a large flower display that stood next to a 13-by-19-inch photo of Gannon.
"You can ride safe now and keep a watchful eye out for everyone," Cornell wrote on the photo's frame. "We will miss ya."
The memorial marked the spot where Gannon and his 18-year preaching partner John Britz consistently parked during events. A crucial strategy, Gannon said during an October interview, that helped bikers find them when they were ready to listen to the gospel.
"It takes a lot of dedication to stand out there in the freezing weather or the heat year after year," Cornell said. "John seems so lonesome without him."
For many Bike Week regulars, the memorial was the first indication that the man who had become a fixture at Daytona bike events was gone. Several wrote goodbye notes to Gannon on the frame around the photo.
"It was definitely a divine appointment when I met him," Britz said. "He taught me everything I know and that's what I'm going to keep on doing."