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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Want a motorcycle? So don't hesitate: Get out and ride!
(RD Note: Tim is a columnist and motorcycle enthusiast. It's been awhile since I've posted one of his well written motorcycle columns - my bad. Put his site in your Favorites and return often.)
Tim Aloisio:An open invitation to the joys of motorcycling
The Republican-Masslive.com
Monson MA -- I would like to focus on something a little different this week - namely, those of you who don't have motorcycles and are thinking about getting one. All of us who ride know people who fall into that category. I'm here to try to talk you into it.
People ride motorcycles for a lot of reasons. Personally, I enjoy the freedom, the thrill of the ride, the tradition and camaraderie that come with riding a Harley-Davidson motorcycle. Harley owners have a tendency to be very sociable, to band together to do many things, riding being the common denominator.
On top of that, I can't tell you what a thrill it is to see little kids (and adults, for that matter) get excited when you cruise by aboard a motorcycle.
Many sport bike riders are more in tune with combining the ride with the mechanical art of their machines. Then you have such groups as Honda Gold Wing riders, the touring RVs of the motorcycle world.
Still, it all goes back to being on the road - regardless of what you ride. Ask anyone who has been there: Scenery looks much better from a motorcycle.
I guess the point I am trying to make is, if you are thinking about getting a bike, do it when you have plenty of time to enjoy it. Don't let it become one of those things that you regret missing later on. I was one of those guys who started on mini-bikes and then dirt bikes at an early age, eventually progressing to road bikes.
Then, like most of us, you get married, have children and your priorities shift to work and taking care of your family. I went many years between bikes, as did a lot of people I know. Eventually the kids grow up, you get a better job and you reach the point where you can afford to be back on the road. I know I could not wait to get back to that point and I also know that I will be a biker until either the day I die or I can no longer grip the handlebars. Recently going without a bike for a few months was almost unbearable.
Besides, there is no better time to buy a bike, with both the new and used motorcycle markets strong. And you can also use the old "It saves on gas" excuse if you need it.
Of course, there are risks to riding. It is inherently more dangerous to drive a motorcycle than a car. Then again, going to the market for a loaf of bread on my Harley is a heck of a lot more fun than in my car. Riding to work isn't nearly the chore it is when done in a "cage."
Bikers as a rule tend to be very charitable. They give much of their time to worthy causes, and conduct poker runs and fund-raisers, especially here in Western Massachusetts, where we have a very strong biker community. The people you meet lead to a lot of friendships for life.
If you have been on the fence about buying a motorcycle, I hope I've given you a few reasons to do it and pushed you over the top in your decision.
If it has been a while since you have ridden or you are new to the sport, please take a motorcycle safety course or an advanced rider course. In Westfield, Pioneer Valley Rider Training offers both courses. (You can get your license through the course.) They can be checked out at www.pvriders.com
So don't hesitate: Get out and ride!
No Myrtle no more? Myrtle Beach Bike Week in Myrtle Beach, S.C., no longer exists as we know it. The city fathers have let it be known that they are no longer interested in having a motorcycle rally within the confines of Myrtle Beach proper.
Held in early May, Myrtle has been a rite of spring for many bikers on the East Coast and beyond. Refusal to grant vendor permits and adding many anti-biker ordinances to the town bylaws are just a couple of the things that were done.
While there are many bike week events that stretch well beyond Myrtle Beach proper on the coast, I fear this is the death knell for this longtime event. For a look at the new ordinances, log on to the site myrtlebeachbikerinfo.com
Goings on: On Feb. 13 and 14, the X-Treme Ice Racing Tour hits the ice at the MassMutual Center at 7:30 p.m. These are speedway motorcycles and quads that do zero to 60 in three seconds and have more than 2,000 metal studs on their tires. Tickets are $20, $15 and $7. Add $2 if purchased the day of the show. Tickets can be purchased at the MassMutual Center box office or at massmutualcenter.com
On Feb. 21, the Longriders Motorcycle Club is having its annual "Chili Blast" at the Kennedy Post in Chicopee from 6 until 9 p.m.
On Feb. 28, it's Tibbys Harley-Davidson's annual Chili Day and Chili Cook-off competition at its Berkshire Avenue, Springfield, location. A 15 percent-off sale will begin on Feb. 25 and run through to Chili Day. For more info, log on to www.tibbys harley.com Until next time, ride safe and ride smart.
Tim Aloisio, of Monson, has been a recreational motorcyclist for more than 30 years. A member of the Springfield Area Harley-Davidson Owners Group, he can be reached at travelintim@hotmail.com