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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Kansas Bikers Ride for Toy Run
More than 500 motorcyclists cruise Hutchinson for annual Toy Run
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| More than 500 motorcyclists cruise down 4th street toward Eaton Activity Center, where the Reno County Toy Run concluded Sunday afternoon. Photos by Nick Hemphill |
Six years ago, Jerry Hill didn't give much thought to riding a motorcycle, let alone owning one.
But early Sunday afternoon, Hill, dressed as Santa Claus, cruised down Main and 30th in his maroon 2003 100th anniversary Harley Davidson, along with hundreds of other motorcycles as part of the annual Reno County Toy Run.
So much for thinking.
"I never even thought about owning a cycle until I won a Harley six years ago," said Hill, who won a motorcycle as part of a sales incentive while working as a food broker.
Though the event featured about 500 motorcycles and non street-legal bikes, even more individuals came out to help gather toys for children in the Hutchinson and Reno County areas.
Bikers and riders traveled down Main Street toward 30th Street, making a stop at the State Fairgrounds to pick up toys. The route ended at the Eaton Activity Center, where participants placed their toys in the back of a Salvation Army truck and warmed up to a chili feed, live music and an auction.
Toys gathered in the event will go to the Salvation Army's Toy Shop, where, in a few weeks, parents and guardians in the Reno County area can "shop" for Christmas toys, Maj. Mike Mills said.
"This is just another sign of people in Hutchinson saying we want to show love for people and to show how they care," Mills said. "They're helping someone other than themselves."
About 65 children's bicycles also were donated as part of the Toy Run, and will be distributed to First Call for Help, Alan Turner, event chairman, said.
Money collected from the event - mainly through donation cans, button sales and Sunday's chili feed and auction - will be divided out to local charities.
Last year, around 1,400 toys were donated and several hundred dollars collected, numbers Turner would like to see again this year, if not more.
Hutchinson resident Channa Barnes has participated in the Toy Run for several years, but always sitting behind someone on a motorcycle.
This year, though, Barnes decided it was time she rode her own bike.
"I was tired of riding on back," she said. "This is a great cause, and you meet wonderful people who have the same interests.
"It gives you chills."
For Hill, the event also provides enough reason to grow a beard.
"These imitation beards are no fun," said Hill, smiling while tugging at the white, curly hair strapped onto his chin. "But this is a neat experience - a great experience."