Rob (descent) will be the Ride Captain and I will assist.   Check back to this thread for the staging area and time as it will be assigned by the organizers of this event.  Please try to attend as this truly supports our troops.  As usual, cages are welcome.

“Its time we show our troops overseas that we care”. We indeed owe them respect for going into harm’s way to defend the freedoms of our nation. They are certainly following in the outstanding tradition of all those that have served before them. They risk their lives daily to keep our Country great and to maintain our freedoms.

     On Sunday Oct 29^th 2006, Veteran Organizations and Citizens from Taunton, Raynham, Middleboro and Norton will be conducting a “Support the Troops” Rally on Taunton Green from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

     The main purpose of this event is to show the men and women who work 24 hours a day serving our Country with respect and honor that we care about them. We have them on our minds each day and pray for their safe return.

     We also will be collecting goods that can be sent to our troops. Items include powdered Gatorade, ramen noodles, batteries, stationary supplies, hard candy, bug repellant, waterproof sunscreen, baby wipes, suntan lotion, toilet paper, Kleenex and international phone cards(AT&T). Boxes will be available on the green for anyone wanting to drop goods off.

     Military Veteran Motorcycle clubs, will kick off this event that features

 Veteran Chapter Color Guards from the surrounding area, and also local Police and Fire department and private organizations. Local singers and chorus will feature Patriotic songs. Bugles Across America, founded in 2000 by Tom Day, will play in recognition of the service Veterans have provided their Country.

     Our outstanding line up of speakers include, Jeff Beatty, a former Delta Force Officer who was involved in the “Blackhawk Down” incident, who later became an FBI Speial Agent and a CIA counter terrorism officer. Dylan DeSilvia, a 15 year old, who started “Cape Cod Cares for Troops” a non-profit organization that with the help of his family and friends sends out care packages to our soldiers in Iraq and Afghanistan on a weekly basis. Dylan recently mailed out his 1000^th package. John Gonsalves, president of “Homes for Our Troops” will be on hand to say a few words. This non-profit organization was founded in 2004 and is strongly committed to helping those who have selflessly given to their Country and have returned home with serious disabilities and injuries. All services by Homes for Our Troops are at no cost to the Veterans.

Taunton rally to show support for troops

By Donna Kulpa,

Enterprise Correspondent

October 23, 2006

TAUNTON — Veterans Richard Guillemette and Jim Gray don't believe the U.S. should be in Iraq, but that isn't keeping them from showing their appreciation for our men and women in uniform.

The pair joined with Taunton Vietnam Veterans and others to organize Taunton's Support the Troops Rally on Taunton Green next Sunday.

“This isn't about the war, it's about showing the troops we are grateful,” said Richard “Bo” Guillemette, who was an Airman first class in the Navy and a Sgt. with the military police in the Army National Guard. “I've known what it's like to sleep in a foxhole.”

“I oppose the war but support the troops who are in harm's way,” said Gray, co-chairman of Taunton's Support the Troops Rally. “If I could serve my country again, I would,” said Gray, 62, a cancer survivor who is disabled.

Guillemette and Gray met about six months ago at the Dunkin' Donuts on Broadway and began talking about trying to stage another rally like one Guillemette had held on Taunton Green in 1991.

Guillemette has had several brothers in the military — Leo, Roland and Albert were in the Navy, Henry was a Marine and Roger and Normand were in the Army — and he says he's always prayed for the troops.

Taunton Vietnam veterans Dennis Proulx, Les Spousta, F. Roger Hoffmann, Pauline and Doreen Arguin, Janine Larivee, John McCaul, Michaela Gordon and Rita Guillemette have joined with Bo and Jim to stage the rally, which will occupy all of Taunton Green from noon-4 p.m. Sunday.

The DaRosas of Berkley, a mother and her teenage daughter, joined Taunton's Support the Troops Rally committee Thursday night. Laurie DaRosa's son Daniel Jr. is in the 501st Air Force Infantry serving in Iraq.

“It makes me feel good that people care about the troops,” said Laurie.

“It's good that people haven't forgotten the troops,” said Brittany DaRosa, Laurie's daughter.

But committee members say that some well-meaning donors to the boxes placed at Trucchi's on Tremont and County Street and at Hannafords on Warner Boulevard don't realize what the troops really need.

Rather than donating canned food, which the troops don't need, people are being asked to give

items like AA and AAA batteries, stationery, hard candy, powdered Gatorade, Raman noodles, bug repellant, water proof sunscreen, baby wipes, toilet paper, Kleenex and AT&T International calling cards.

“We are trying to collect for those with ties to the Taunton community, like Major Mark Handren, who commands a Blackhawk Unit overseas,” said Vietnam Veteran Les Spousta. “Handren grew up here and was an Eagle Scout and we are trying to get people to write letters of support to the men as well as sending care packages.”

Guest speaker at the rally is Jeff Beatty, who was in the first “Blackhawk Down,” a special agent for the FBI advising on the FBI's National Hostage Rescue Team and successful running of CIA counter-terrorism operations.

Tony Medeiros, who is providing some of the music, has his DECA students collecting for the USO at Wednesday's DECA night and there will be boxes on either side of Taunton Green on Sunday. DECA students with Eric Larivee of Heart to Heart productions will perform, “Voices the Care.”

Taunton Green is being cordoned off and hundreds of motorcyclists with a police escort from various city routes will descend on the Green, including the Patriot Guard Riders with their flags; Honorable Few Motorized Platoon of Marine Corps League Attachment 781 and Leathernecks Motorcycle Club of Cape Cod before St. Jacques Chorus sings the “Battle Hymn of the Republic.”

“Many of today's generation don't share the same patriotic values we were brought up with, but we are hoping to reach out to them during the rally,” Gray said.

The Army National Guard and US Army recruiters are both expected to be at the Support the Troops Rally.

*Final Itinerary*

SUPPORT THE TROOPS - TAUNTON, MA 10/29

On Sunday Oct 29^th 2006, Veteran Organizations and Citizens from Taunton, Raynham, Middleboro and Norton will be conducting a “Support the Troops” Rally on Taunton Green from 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m.

     The main purpose of this event is to show the men and women who work 24 hours a day serving our Country with respect and honor that we care about them. We have them on our minds each day and pray for their safe return.

     We also will be collecting goods that can be sent to our troops. Items include powdered Gatorade, ramen noodles, batteries, stationary supplies, hard candy; bug repellant, waterproof sunscreen, baby wipes, suntan lotion, toilet paper, Kleenex and international phone cards (AT&T). Boxes will be available on the green for anyone wanting to drop goods off.

Here is the rally point and time:

Benjamin’s Restaurant, Bay Rd. Taunton Ma.

Times: 11:30am-12:00pm, kickstands up at Noon sharp, were we will head to the Old Taunton Mall (Mill River Place) for the final staging area.

Directions:

495 south, those coming from Worcester, Marlboro area  heading towards the Cape - exit 9 take right follow Bay Rd. 2 miles Benjamin’s will be on your right

495 north – those that are coming from the Cape headed north, take exit 9, left off of exit, follow Bay Rd. 2 miles Benjamin’s will be on your right

If you have any questions please e-mail me at patriotrob@patriotguard.org

Thanks for your support of this great cause. See all on sun.

RHODE ISLAND - Patriot Guard Riders

Support the Troops Rally Taunton, MA

We have been asked to attend the Support the Troops Rally in Taunton, MA. Although the weather is getting cold this won’t stop the show of support for our men and women serving this country. We have changed from our normal staging area for this event in order for us to take secondary roads and travel at a slower pace and enjoy the day without the midday hassle of dealing with the traffic that the other plaza would have at 11am.

Our Rhode Island Staging Area is the parking lot of the Ann & Hope Curtain & Bath Outlet at the intersection of Rte 44 & Rte 114 in Seekonk, MA
Look for us since we will stage in a quieter corner of the lot

RI Staging Time – 10:45am with our roll out at 11:05am
Click Here for       >>>>> MAP<<<<<<
Ann & Hope Curtain & Bath Outlet
140 Taunton Avenue
Seekonk, MA 02771