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Patriot Guard Riders Forum
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| Author |
Messages |
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jessybow@hotmail.com 
Posts: 2
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| 02 Apr 2006 6:37 AM |
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We just want to thank all you of you for coming to our little town and showing your support! We were so proud to take part in honoring SFC McCaulley with you yesterday. Our thoughts and prayers continue to be with his family along with soldiers everywhere. Thank you so much for all you do. To the vets - for all you've done and given, and to the men and women currently serving, for all you continue to do and give. We really appreciate it!
Jessica Bowman
Proud wife of SSG Benjamin Bowman |
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mpbowman
Posts: 2
Indiana, PA
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| 02 Apr 2006 7:01 AM |
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ALCON:
Let me start by saying thanks for what you do; its nice to know that brothers are taking care of brothers, irregardless of branch or service.
Secondly, I was in attendance for yesterdays mission. I am impressed by the professionalism, and organization of the group. Rarely can so many people come together, and preform as a collective whole. I am proud to say that I stood with you for SFC McCalley.
SSG Bowman
307th Military Police Company |
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jaysfatboy
Posts: 2
Homer City , Pa
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| 02 Apr 2006 7:49 AM |
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I was unable to attend Saturdays Mission for SFC McCalley. Some of our Members from the ALR Firebase 493 Indiana County did make it, all who I spoke with said that everything was conducted with the utmost professionalism. It honors our fallen Brothers and Sisters everywhere that so many attended to show their respect. |
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Jay Labutka
Secretary
ALR Firebase 493
Indiana County |
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Magnet
Posts: 241
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| 02 Apr 2006 1:35 PM |
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It was a pleasure to meet you all yesterday and a privelege to have
been in your company while honoring SFC McCaulley and his loved ones.
I
hope to never see any of you again, but if the time comes, I will
remain humbled by your prescence and participation in honoring our
fallen warriors and their families.
The PA State Police did an awesome job. Thanks!
Snonut, Mrs. Nut, Godspeed on your long journey home. It was a pleasure.
Waitaminit (new road name= "Mount-up!, chirp") great job with the logistics!
Semper Fidelis,
Magnet |
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Spartan883
Posts: 4
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| 02 Apr 2006 3:23 PM |
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I was glad to have been a part of yesterdays mission with all of you. I hope it will not be neccessary again anytime soon. Perhaps instead of meeting only at funerals we could do some ride fundraising for our wounded veterans? The VA hospitals could use a lot of donated recreational equipment and other things to make their stay a little more bearable.
Dan Haggerty USMC
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ultraclassic
Posts: 2259
Proctor, WV
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| 02 Apr 2006 3:40 PM |
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| An excellent idea Dan but why not attempt to collect monetary donations at whatever mission we might happen to be on, also to benefit our local VA hospitals and/or veterans? Understanding it would be awkward to go around soliciting donations from those in attendance, but if it was known beforehand that there would be some type of 'kettle' available for donations, that might work too. State/ride captain could be in charge of this. Just a thought. |
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"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." Elmer Davis
Joe Cumblidge
West Virginia State Captain
UOV HOG Chapter
RM1 USCG 1969-78
(304) 455-4036 - Home
(304) 588-1278 - Cell
www.wvpatriotguard.org
In Memory of the crew of HU16E CGNR 2123, lost on SAR mission off Corpus Christi, TX on 21 September 1973:
LCDR Francis W. Miller (CG Aviator #1164)
LTJG Jerald M. Mack (CG Aviator #1567)
AD1 Harold D. Brown, Jr.
AM2 Benjamin R. Gaskins, Jr.
AT2 John F. Harrison
AT2 John P. Pledger
Montani semper liberi (Mountaineers are always free)
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Waitaminit
Posts: 588
Monroeville, Pa.
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| 02 Apr 2006 4:46 PM |
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I would like to thank everyone for their support yesterday. I will be posting the final ride report Monday, 3 April 2006.
Ultraclassic, you have a good suggestion, but this is not the appropriate forum for it. Please move it to the captains' discussion forum. It will receive the proper attention there.
Thanks, Don |
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"The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
We are here to honor those patriots!
Don Bright
Simply a Patriot Guard Rider
US Navy 71-79
ET1(SS)
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin |
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ridinzfun
Posts: 36
Chantilly, VA
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| 02 Apr 2006 5:00 PM |
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It sure made me proud to have gotten involved with this group, riding through the cold wet night from VA to honor this fallen hero on my first ride with PGR. You all made me feel so good to be with others who honor our military, it's just the RIGHT thing to do for us to help make the funeral for a hero be about him and why he (or she) was there, not about some nuts trying to make their crazy point (IS there even a point to them?).
Steve |
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Steve Snyder
USN Retired (75-94) |
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ultraclassic
Posts: 2259
Proctor, WV
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| 03 Apr 2006 5:14 AM |
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Thanks Don; you are right about my choosing the wrong venue to offer that suggestion. Will bring it up on the Captain's Forum. Thank you very much for a job well done Saturday. Look forward to riding with you again, hopefully under different, more pleasant circumstances.
Joe Cumblidge
WV Ride Captain
U.S. Coast Guard 1969-78 |
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"This nation will remain the land of the free only so long as it is the home of the brave." Elmer Davis
Joe Cumblidge
West Virginia State Captain
UOV HOG Chapter
RM1 USCG 1969-78
(304) 455-4036 - Home
(304) 588-1278 - Cell
www.wvpatriotguard.org
In Memory of the crew of HU16E CGNR 2123, lost on SAR mission off Corpus Christi, TX on 21 September 1973:
LCDR Francis W. Miller (CG Aviator #1164)
LTJG Jerald M. Mack (CG Aviator #1567)
AD1 Harold D. Brown, Jr.
AM2 Benjamin R. Gaskins, Jr.
AT2 John F. Harrison
AT2 John P. Pledger
Montani semper liberi (Mountaineers are always free)
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Waitaminit
Posts: 588
Monroeville, Pa.
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| 03 Apr 2006 7:33 PM |
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The morning of the mission for Sgt 1st Class Randy McCaulley started overcast and cool. In Monroeville, Pa., we gathered at the initial staging area and spent some time getting to know each other. We departed on time and rode to the final staging area just outside Indiana, Pa. The ride took about 50 minutes.
We met up with the rest of the PGR attending. I'm sorry I don't remember all your names, I know riders were there from VA, OH, WV, IN, and New Hampshire. A special thanks goes out to Frank Baranyai, VA SC. He arrived the night before and got the group at the final staging area lined up and started interfacing with the LEOs.
The PA State Police, Indiana County Sheriff Department, and Indiana Borough Police Department were phenomenal with their support for us. We departed the final staging area with about 130 people. Not all were members, but everyone supported us.
The church was about five minutes away, we arrived, parked in the designated area, and lined the long curving driveway into the church. The PGR and sujpporters formed a long runnel of flags for the family and friends. The last thing that everyone saw was 130 people showing respect for their loved one.
Following the funeral, about 50 bikes escorted the funeral procession to the cemetery in Hollidaysburg, Pa. The trip was about 55 miles. When we arrived at the cemetery, the attendants parked us on a road on the hillside above the grave site. The PGR stood on the hillside between the funeral party and the bikes. It was an awesome sight.
Folling the services at the grave site, Frank and I went to pay our respects to Sgt. McCaulley's family. They are some of the most gracious and appreciative people I have ever met. Sgt. McCaulley's mother is wheelchair bound, but after we presented her with the plaque from the PGR, she just reached up and pulled me down for a big hug. Reverend McCaulley is a wonderful man also and had nothing but thanks for our presence there. All of Sgt. McCaulley's family and friends made sure to search us out and thank us for being there.
I cannot say enough about this wonderful family. All of Sgt. McCaulley's family fully understood why we were there. His two older brothers flew helicopters in Viet Nam and his father served in the Army Reserves.
Members of the National Guard that were there also searched us out to thank us. Everyone from the two-star general on down are most appreciative of what we are doing.
Again my thanks to everyone that supported this mission, I cannot begin to name everyone that helped, but a special thanks goes out to Jennifer Sprinkle. She did a lot of legwork in Indiana, Pa, by getting permission for our use of the Wal-Mart parking lot as a final staging area and gathering up other Army wives and friends to support us. Also a big thank you goes to Lt. Brad Shields of the PA State Police and the Indiana County Sheriff for working so closely with us to make this a successful mission.
This has been one of the hardest missions I have attended because of the love and support the family and friends of Sgt. McCaulley showed us while we were just trying to ease the pain of their loss.
I met a lot of members from this area, and I am truly sorry that I do not remember all of your names. A huge thank to all of you. We cannot properly honor our heroes without your support.
It is hard to put into words everything I felt on 1 April 2006. In ending this report I would just like to say, "God bless you, Sgt. First Class Randy McCaulley, and one day I pray that I will meet you to say, 'Thank you for your sacrifice.'" |
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"The Tree of Liberty must be refreshed from time to time with the blood of patriots and tyrants." Thomas Jefferson
We are here to honor those patriots!
Don Bright
Simply a Patriot Guard Rider
US Navy 71-79
ET1(SS)
"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety." Benjamin Franklin |
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Ripley6
Posts: 148
Allentown, Pennsylvania
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| 03 Apr 2006 9:47 PM |
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Sgt 1st Class Randy McCaulley, May the Lord hold you in his arms and bring you peace, good and faithful soldier, your work here is done.
I pray his shadow will cover your family and bring them peace.
Well Done Don, Well Done PGR. |
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Richard E. Marcks II >Ripley6<
State Captain - Pennsylvania
Sgt. at Arms, Riff-Raff-Riders
Sgt. U.S.Army 'Ranger' 67/69 RVN
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panman
Posts: 9
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| 04 Apr 2006 5:21 AM |
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It was a sad day but I am honored that I had the opportunity to pay my respects to Sgt. McCaulley and his family as part of the Patriot Guard. Waitaminit did a superb job of organizing us and everyone whom participated should be proud of the respect that was shown to the family.
.......as a side note....I found a watch that one of you dropped where we parked at the church.....contact me at rmpressley@comcast.net if it is yours, I will see that you get it back........ |
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Wescoot2
Posts: 2991
Park Ridge, Illinois
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snonut
Posts: 443
Dover, NH
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| 04 Apr 2006 7:19 PM |
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| Our heartfelt thanks to the McCaulley family for allowing us to pay our respects. We were extremely proud to say we were part of this mission. We met some wonderful people and special thanks to Frank, Magnet and Jenn for making this trip a little easier. Frank we hope your tooth is doing OK!, Magnet is was a long ride home but definitely worth it, Thanks for your good wishes, Waitaminit, just a terrific job of running things. We hope we don't have to visit again but be assured if the situation arises and we are able, we won't hesitate to make the journey again. David & Kathi |
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User Support Team
Assistant State Veteran's Services Officer
"All that it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing."
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harly69g
Posts: 8482
Mid-West Regional Capt.
KY,IN,OH,MI
Ride Capt.
Owensboro, KY
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| 20 Jan 2007 6:54 PM |
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Zinobile 
Posts: 261
Robinson, Indiana Co., PA Ride Captain PA Region 9 (SW Central)
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| 14 Sep 2006 9:45 AM |
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Brian, thank you ... and welcome home. It warms my heart to know that you and your comrades felt supported by our being there. Thank you for getting in touch and letting us know.
Best wishes & gratitude Joe |
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"If we really wanted to honor our Boys, why don't we let them sit on the reviewing stands and make the people march by?" - Will Rogers |
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snonut
Posts: 426
Dover, NH
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| 23 Aug 2006 12:39 AM |
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God bless you Brian, and all who serve, and I thank you right back. It was a privilege to stand and honor Sgt McCaulley, I hope you and the rest of the troops know that we love you, and we will always be there for you. Your friend was sent off with all of the respect deserving of the true American hero he was (and still is).
Welcome to the PGR.
Kathi
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User Support Team
Assistant State Veteran's Services Officer
"All that it takes for evil to triumph is for good people to do nothing."
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HMurray
Posts: 17
Atwater Ohio
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| 19 Aug 2006 8:53 PM |
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| Welcome home Brian, Thank you for your brave service. and thank you also for informing us that your unit felt relieved when you heard the PGR would be there for your (brother-in -service) Randy I am glad to hear you have joined this group, a man of your honor will be a blessing for us. I have some pictures of the PGR at Randy's service that I would be honored to mail you if you want to contact me at my home e-mail I can get your address and share them with you? God Bless you ,Pam Murray |
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Magnet
Posts: 234
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| 19 Aug 2006 2:24 PM |
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Welcome home Brian. We sent Randy off right.
He certainly came from a good family and community. It was evident everywhere you looked.
Semper Fi,
Magnet |
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bkstanc
Posts: 1
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| 11 Aug 2006 10:46 PM |
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To all that participated,
I would like to send out a strong THANK YOU and say that I appreciate everything that PGR stands for and does.
I was with Randy in Iraq and he served Honorably. He believed in our mission and wanted to help the Iraqi people (especially the kids). He was a good man and friend.
When we heard that that "church" was going to be there, we were very upset and fuming. Then we heard that PGR would be there, I think most of us felt a sense of relief and gratitude.
I talked to my Mother two days after the service. She said it was very impressive and quite awe inspiring. And heard "around town" that Indiana residents were also impressed and very interested in who and what were all those bikes and flags for/from. Some she told some, but with limited info.
I joined recently to help honor "THE FALLEN", and am looking forward to joining other riders in this solemn mission.
Once again, THANK YOU.
Brian Stancombe
SGT, PAARNG |
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Sniper2357
Posts: 7
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| 05 Apr 2006 3:37 PM |
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My wife and I attended our first PGR service, for Sgt. 1st Class McCaulley. There are several words that came to both of us as we stood holding our 3'x5' American Flags in the cool, cloudy spring weather and then the cold wet ride to Hollydaysburg for the grave side service. Proud, humbled, reverant, impressed are just a few. I've riden for over 40 years, gone to bike events from Sturgis, Daytona, Rolling Thunder etc. But riding with that band of 130 or so bikes made me as proud as I've ever been to be a "biker".
Words are not adequate to allow one to fully appreciate what this work done by the PGR is really all about. Therefore, I urge anyone reading these notes, e-mails etc to saddle up, either by bike, car or truck and get out and support the next funeral you can to support (1) The fallen one's family, (2) Show support for our Country. You simply can not get a full perspective unless you participate.
I hope that I never attend another service, but be assured that if needed this proud member of the PGR will ride again to show the family that their loss is America's loss it is our loss and that without their sacrifice none of us would be free.
Thank you Sgt. McCaulley, thank you to his family and thank you to the Patriot Guard Riders for allowing me to join and be a part of this organization.
Sniper |
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ridinzfun
Posts: 28
Chantilly, VA
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| 04 Apr 2006 6:50 PM |
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| Yes, it was cold and windy, yes it was a dreary day, but to me it was perfectly appropriate for the goodbye ceremony for one of our country's heroes! |
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Steve Snyder
USN Retired (75-94) |
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deeptread
Posts: 17
Hazleton, PA
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| 04 Apr 2006 9:32 AM |
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Saturday, April 1, 2006, I left the house at 0458 hours for the estimated 3 ½ hour ride West. The weather was calling for rain, but the temp. in Hazleton was pushing 60°. (I foolishly left the long johns in the closet.)
During the I 80 West leg of the trip, day broke. The sun came up and started to color the countryside as it rolled by. I had the time to reflect on SFC McCaulley and the sacrifice he made for our country and what it meant to me personally. I thought about the grief that family and friends were enduring, and got into the proper mindset for this mission.
The trip out was I 80 was fine, missed an exit, but corrected it with only a 10 mile deviation. As I headed South, it began to rain. Closer to Indiana, it stopped raining but it became clear to me that I left about 20+ degrees somewhere behind me.
Arrived at the Wal-mart parking lot and what a sight! Bikes and flags, and people all gathered at the muster point. As I parked in line, more bikes and vehicles rolled in and continued to do so right up to the time we left. “Waitaminit”, PA SC and Frank Baranya, VA SC, did an excellent job of addressing the large crowd that gathered. Important points were covered and questions answered. At the signal, we all mounted up and started to roll to the church.
Okay, time to come clean here. Although I have been riding off and on for twenty years, I have never really been part of a large group of bikes all rolling for a common cause. It really choked me up to be part of this group, engines rumbling, roaring, Stars and Stripes proudly displayed, as we made our way to the church.
Once at the church, my 3X5 flag was assembled and we all lined both sides the long driveway from the road back towards the church. Not all in attendance were PGR, many were local citizens there to support the mission. I was amazed and profoundly affected to see all these people, teenage girls, young boys, mothers with strollers (yes with babies!), old folks, and bikers all holding flags in the cold, in the wind, during the Church service.
Those accompanying the funeral procession to the cemetery broke ranks when the time came and waited for the procession to pass so we could fall in behind. Most PGR dismounted as the funeral procession passed and paid their respects, in my case, I snapped a salute and held it until the last car passed.
We rolled out and started the 55 mile trip to Hollidaysburg, where the cemetery was located. State and local LEO, did a great job of blocking intersections and traffic control. As we made the clover leafs to gain access to the highway, I looked over my shoulder at the long line of bikes winding its way back and again had a hard time keeping it together.
The final resting place for SFC McCaulley was on a hillside. PGR parked above the gravesite and at the signal walked quietly down closer to the ceremony. After the ceremony, Several members of the funeral procession walked up the hill to greet us and thank us for being there. Seeing the tears in their eyes, and hearing the gratitude in their voices caused me to fight to gain control of my emotions once again!
With the ceremony over, the PGR fell out, and I headed back towards home, once again left to mull over the profound encounter I had just experienced. Rest in Peace SFC McCaulley, we honor and appreciate your sacrifice.
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Hazleton, PA
USAF '82-91'
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Wescoot2
Posts: 1906
Park Ridge Illinois
National Director
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| 03 Apr 2006 10:54 PM |
Delete Edit Quote Reply Alert |
The morning of the mission for Sgt 1st Class Randy McCaulley started overcast and cool. In Monroeville, Pa., we gathered at the initial staging area and spent some time getting to know each other. We departed on time and rode to the final staging area just outside Indiana, Pa. The ride took about 50 minutes.
We met up with the rest of the PGR attending. I'm sorry I don't remember all your names, I know riders were there from VA, OH, WV, IN, and New Hampshire. A special thanks goes out to Frank Baranyai, VA SC. He arrived the night before and got the group at the final staging area lined up and started interfacing with the LEOs.
The PA State Police, Indiana County Sheriff Department, and Indiana Borough Police Department were phenomenal with their support for us. We departed the final staging area with about 130 people. Not all were members, but everyone supported us.
The church was about five minutes away, we arrived, parked in the designated area, and lined the long curving driveway into the church. The PGR and sujpporters formed a long runnel of flags for the family and friends. The last thing that everyone saw was 130 people showing respect for their loved one.
Following the funeral, about 50 bikes escorted the funeral procession to the cemetery in Hollidaysburg, Pa. The trip was about 55 miles. When we arrived at the cemetery, the attendants parked us on a road on the hillside above the grave site. The PGR stood on the hillside between the funeral party and the bikes. It was an awesome sight.
Folling the services at the grave site, Frank and I went to pay our respects to Sgt. McCaulley's family. They are some of the most gracious and appreciative people I have ever met. Sgt. McCaulley's mother is wheelchair bound, but after we presented her with the plaque from the PGR, she just reached up and pulled me down for a big hug. Reverend McCaulley is a wonderful man also and had nothing but thanks for our presence there. All of Sgt. McCaulley's family and friends made sure to search us out and thank us for being there.
I cannot say enough about this wonderful family. All of Sgt. McCaulley's family fully understood why we were there. His two older brothers flew helicopters in Viet Nam and his father served in the Army Reserves.
Members of the National Guard that were there also searched us out to thank us. Everyone from the two-star general on down are most appreciative of what we are doing.
Again my thanks to everyone that supported this mission, I cannot begin to name everyone that helped, but a special thanks goes out to Jennifer Sprinkle. She did a lot of legwork in Indiana, Pa, by getting permission for our use of the Wal-Mart parking lot as a final staging area and gathering up other Army wives and friends to support us. Also a big thank you goes to Lt. Brad Shields of the PA State Police and the Indiana County Sheriff for working so closely with us to make this a successful mission.
This has been one of the hardest missions I have attended because of the love and support the family and friends of Sgt. McCaulley showed us while we were just trying to ease the pain of their loss.
I met a lot of members from this area, and I am truly sorry that I do not remember all of your names. A huge thank to all of you. We cannot properly honor our heroes without your support.
It is hard to put into words everything I felt on 1 April 2006. In ending this report I would just like to say, "God bless you, Sgt. First Class Randy McCaulley, and one day I pray that I will meet you to say, 'Thank you for your sacrifice.'" |
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We are here to honor our fallen heroes!
Don Bright
PGR PA State Captain
US Navy 71-79 | |
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Go Ahead, Make My Day
If your gonna be One.....Be a BIG RED ONE
Diplomacy...the art of telling someone to go to hell......and they look forward to the trip | | |
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In Memory: Terri L. Newman 11/64 - 07/05
In Memory: Caleb S. Newman 12/07
Senior Ride Capt for countys of: Crittenden, Caldwell, Union, Webster, Mclean, Hopkins, Muhlenburg, Henderson, Daviess, Ohio, Hancock.
KY State site: www.pgrofky.com
IN State site: www.indianapatriotguard.org
OH State site: www.ohiopgr.org
MI State site: www.pgrmichigan.org |
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