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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Sturgis Offspring is Growing Up
STURGIS MS - They call it “Little Sturgis,” but after 10 years, the annual end-of-summer biker tradition in west Oktibbeha County is doing some growing up.
This year's 10th anniversary of the Sturgis South Motorcycle Rally at Diane Johnson City Park in Sturgis is expected to attract upwards of 35,000 people over its three-day run, and draw national entertainment with bands like 38 Special, Little Feat and the Charlie Daniels Band - featuring Charlie Daniels himself.
“It's going to be a great rally this year,” said Sturgis Mayor Scott Smith. “We've been working on this, getting it organized, for about two years.”
“Sturgis South was organized by residents of Sturgis to showcase our town and raise money for North Mississippi charities,” added Smith.
The rally is the little brother - or more affectionately, little “hog” - to Big Sturgis, a 66-year tradition in Sturgis, S.D. Another smaller-scale Sturgis rally in Sturgis, Ky., has been running for 14 years.
“But we're ready to go,” said Smith, adding his town of less than 300 will bring in extra services ranging from portable toilets to police.
“We'll hire an additional 55 police officers,” said Smith, who will mostly assist in directing traffic and offering information, as well as public safety.
“And we've upgraded the electricity in the park,” added Smith, noting these improvements cost in the neighborhood of $35,000 to $40,000. Much of the money required to put on the Sturgis bike rally comes through private sponsorships. This year's primary corporate sponsor is Peal River Resort, with support also coming from the Mississippi Department of Tourism.
“But pretty much everything is set. There's still some things that we'll have to wait until the last minute, but we're ready to go,” Smith continued.
Residents and business-owners in Sturgis and surrounding communities like Starkville and Louisville are also gearing for a busy week.
“I think we're going to be busy, whether we're ready or not,” laughed Sally Oglesby Saturday afternoon sitting behind the counter at Main Street Grill, a small casual restaurant in Downtown Sturgis tucked between Adams Hardware and McKinnon's General Merchandise Store.
“We're excited for this week,” said Oglesby's daughter Jackie Nason, who runs main Street Grill with her husband.
“You won't be sitting down much and you're feet may hurt. Business will be good,” she added.
Also set to go, is the custom-made “Sturgis South Chopper,” built by Rocky Hill Customs of Louisville, and will be raffled off on Saturday night between 38 Special and the Charlie Daniels Band.
“The bike is based on a 60's chopper style and represents the hot rodder's attitude,” said Hugh Gay of Rocky Hill, who has been working with motorcycles for about 10 years, and is one of the bike's designers and builders.
“It is a 2006 Rocky Hill Customs soft-tail chopper,” added Gay, describing the gold and chrome bike.
“There are many hand made features on this bike, such as the gas tank with hand formed speed lines, a hand formed leather seat, internal wiring and cables, and many modifications to the frame and rear fender,” Gay added, noting the retail price for a motorcycle like this one would run around $25,000.
Charities
Money raised from the raffle help to benefit numerous Mississippi charities Sturgis South helps to fund such as the American Red Cross, French Camp Academy, Safe Haven of Columbus and the Sturgis Community Fund.
“The craftsmanship on this bike is very clean, and I would like to invite everyone you check it out in person,” said Gay proudly. “A lot of blood, sweat, and tears went into this project.”
Attendees to the rally come from across the country, traveling from nearly every state, with arrivals beginning a week in advance.
“We'll open the gates at 10a.m. Saturday, to begin receiving the first folks coming,” Smith said Thursday.
Annual tradition
And for many the trip down to Sturgis is a tradition.
“I know one group who comes in from Colorado every year for a week,” said Smith, adding the rally's top entertainment attracts thousands of non-bikers as well.
“We get lots of many different people. Not just bikers,” he said.
Friday night, Aug. 18, Little Feat takes the stage at 8 p.m., followed by Confederate Railroad at 10.30 p.m. at the ball field in City park.
Saturday, Aug. 19, 38 Special goes on stage at 8 p.m., followed by the Charlie Daniels Band at 10:30 p.m.
Registration for the Aug. 18-20 Sturgis South rally is $40 per person, which includes entertainment. Nightly entertainment begins at 8 p.m. Motorcycle raffle tickets are $10 each. For more information about Sturgis South, or to register, visit the group's Web site at sturgismsrally.com.