The PGR is the Hell’s Angel that has held a flag for three hours in honor of a fallen solider.

The PGR is the Christian Motorcyclist Association rider that is standing next to him.

The PGR is the elderly lady with a flag draped over her walker that is standing next to him.

The PGR is the biker that will ride over 300 miles, praying to God to give him strength, so he can make it in time to have the honor of standing the flag line for the wake of a hero…Alone.

The PGR is having 250 bikes show up the next day in a town of 3500 people: Some riding hundreds of miles, staring at 0400…In the rain.

The PGR will be humbled when the color guard comes out to shake his hand for standing there alone, and tell them with confidence there will be more tomorrow.

The PGR is spending hours in a flag line in 90 degree heat, only later to find out the son of the guy standing next to you had committed suicide 6 months after returning from Iraq.

The PGR are the couple that served lunch to 286 bikers, refusing all donations. They are the grandparents of the solider that killed himself.

The PGR is “freebird57” from IL who drives around in his van, loaded with 135 flags and coolers of water and supplies for those standing the line along with him.

The PGR is the Viet Nam vet that was spit on when he returned, or the lady next to him whose brother was in the Battle of Bulge. Or it is 12 year old Taylor Batten, who had her first heart surgery at the age of 6 months. Taylor has had many surgeries in her past and will have many more in her future, which may not be that long. She is now a PFC USMC, and an honorary MI PGR Ride Captain.

The PGR is not a service group, we are not lobbyists. There are many fine organizations that do this work, and we heartily encourage your support.

The PGR is the biker that will ride over 200 miles in rain so bad he can barely see, and rides only by the taillights of those ahead of him, because the protesters will be at the funeral of PO1 Jerry Tharp in Galesburg IL. And he will not only consider it a privilege to have protesters scream in his face, shielding them from the family, but will consider it one of the proudest days of his life. And there are 329 people standing next to him feeling exactly the same way.

The PGR is the rider who could not think of any place he would rather be at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month, than to stand at the grave site of a friend’s father, on the anniversary of his passing. A father who earned the Silver Star in Korea for gallantry above and beyond the call of duty: A father whose family had no idea what he had done and the awards he had won, until they went through his belongings after his death.

If you do not fit in anywhere in the above, or you have another agenda, you might reconsider whether you are in the right place. However,if you are with us, it will be my honor to stand with you anytime, anywhere.

And when the organizers of a parade ask how many PGR will be there, I will tell them there might be 100, but I will only guarantee one.

And if there is an Honor Mission for a fallen hero that same day, I will not be there either.

Being a PGR is not fun. It may well be one of the hardest things you will ever do.

You may have the mother of a fallen solider cry on your shoulder, thanking you for being there.

You may have a Marine, who has escorted his buddy from Afghanistan, stand at attention and salute you, with tears streaming down his f ace.

Being a PGR may not be fun, but you will never stand with better people. It may be one of the most rewarding things you will ever do, and without a doubt, it will change your life forever.

FORT LAUDERDALE, FL – Former three term Chairman of the Republican Party of Florida, Tom Slade, penned a letter to the editor in today’s Florida Times-Union criticizing Bill McCollum’s plan to accept public campaign financing, a program Jeb Bush has called “welfare for politicians.” Some key quotes from the letter follow.

“It has been a rough go for the Republican Party of Florida of late.

“With former Chairman Jim Greer thrown out after charges of fraud and money laundering, and threatening to call Gov. Charlie Crist, Attorney General Bill McCollum, Senate President-designate Mike Haridopolos and Incoming House Speaker Dean Cannon to the witness stand, it could get even uglier.

“That said, even with all of this madness at party headquarters in Tallahassee, the possibility still exists for Republican candidates to win both the governor’s race and the Senate race this November. It may be, however, that they will have to do it on their own.

“As a former chairman, I know you must keep the trust and confidence of voters and donors.

“This trust can only exist if you are committed to play by the rules and if you are willing to let the voters make the decisions. Without those two factors, trust is broken, and the official party apparatus becomes useless.

“There are rumblings now of concern that the insiders in Tallahassee are considering using their already diminished resources to play favorites in the upcoming primary for governor.

This would be very unwise and would create a backlash from Republican voters.

Finally, there is this little issue to deal with.

Many of the Republican donors who have given money to the Republican legislative leaders intended that money to be spent electing Republicans to the Legislature.

I doubt that many donors intended their contributions to be funneled to front groups for use against one of the candidates in the primary for governor.

I would further hazard a guess that Republican candidates for the Legislature are none too happy to see these resources being spent on matters other than their elections.

“It’s crucial at this moment, with the Republican Party of Florida already reeling from scandal, that they not compound their problems by losing the trust of the voters.

Hey, here’s an idea – let the voters decide.”

Read the entire article here:

http://jacksonville.com/opinion/letters-readers/2010-07-17/story/let-voters-decide-governors-race

Nick had suffered from throat cancer, but the suffering is now at an end.
Nick Bacon was promoted to his final and eternal duty station yesterday morning.
I am convinced that he heard this upon his arrival in heaven.

“His master replied, Well done, good and faithful servant! You have been faithful with a few things;
I will put you in charge of many things. Come and share your master’s happiness!”Matt.25;21

Please remember to pray for comfort for Tammy and the kids.

Nick said once “The greatest weapon we have in America is our faith in God and in his Grace and Power. No enemy can destroy our love and devotion to our God and our Country, so how can they expect to win? ”

Photo courtesy of Arkansas military History

Nick Bacon Medal of Honor Recipient

Nick Bacon served in the U.S. Army from 1963 to 1984 and was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor by President Richard Nixon for his actions during an August 26, 1968 battle near Tam Ky in Vietnam.

“Bacon distinguished himself while serving as a squad leader with the 1st Platoon, Company B, during an operation west of Tam Ky,” the citation with the Medal read. “When Company B came under fire from an enemy bunker line to the front, S/Sgt. Bacon quickly organized his men and led them forward in an assault.”

The Army said Bacon advanced on a hostile bunker and destroyed it with grenades. “As he did so, several follow soldiers including the1st Platoon leader, were struck by machine gun fire and fell wounded in an exposed position forward of the rest of the platoon.”

Bacon immediately assumed command of the platoon and assaulted the hostile gun position, finally killing the enemy gun crew in a single-handed effort.

After that, the 3rd Platoon also moved to Bacon’s location after its leader was also wounded. “Without hesitation S/Sgt. Bacon took charge of the additional platoon and continued the fight,” the Army said. “In the ensuing action he personally killed 4 more enemy soldiers and silenced an antitank weapon. Under his leadership and example, the members of both platoons accepted his authority without question.”

Continuing to ignore the intense hostile fire, the Army said, he climbed up on the exposed deck of a tank and directed fire into the enemy position while several wounded men were evacuated.

“As a result of S/Sgt. Bacon’s extraordinary efforts, his company was able to move forward, eliminate the enemy positions, and rescue the men trapped to the front. S/Sgt. Bacon’s bravery at the risk of his life was in the highest traditions of the military service and reflects great credit upon himself, his unit, and the U.S. Army.”

Bacon also received the Distinguished Service Cross, Legion of Merit, two Bronze Stars, and Purple Heart.

Wednesday Hero does not support this, or any other, candidate running for political office. It is only honoring his service.

Cpt. Steven Edward Pearce(Ret.)

What is a hero? U.S. Army Captain John Williams was quoted recently in the June 2010 Special Edition of The Stars and Stripes article called “In Search Of Heroes” described it this way: “If it goes down and if you’re in (a bad situation), these guys are not going to stop trying to help you out, even if it means getting killed.” Steven Edward Pearce is a hero.

While serving in Vietnam with the U.S. Air Force Steve Pearce received three personal military decorations for heroism. The Distinguished Flying Cross and two Air Medal’s. In addition to those he also received 2 Air Force Expeditionary Medals, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Philippines Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the RVN Gallantry Cross with Palm Device, Air Force Combat Readiness Medal, Air Force Expeditionary Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, Air Force Longevity Service Award and the Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon.

You can read more about Steve Pearce here.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Corporal Rodolfo P. Hernandez
Company G, 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team

Cpl. Hernandez, a member of Company G, distinguished himself by conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty in action against the enemy. On May 31, 1951 near Wontong-ni, Korea his platoon, in defensive positions on Hill 420, came under ruthless attack by a numerically superior and fanatical hostile force, accompanied by heavy artillery, mortar, and machine gun fire which inflicted numerous casualties on the platoon.

His comrades were forced to withdraw due to lack of ammunition but Cpl. Hernandez, although wounded in an exchange of grenades, continued to deliver deadly fire into the ranks of the onrushing assailants until a ruptured cartridge rendered his rifle inoperative. Immediately leaving his position, Cpl. Hernandez rushed the enemy armed only with rifle and bayonet. Fearlessly engaging the foe, he killed 6 of the enemy before falling unconscious from grenade, bayonet, and bullet wounds but his heroic action momentarily halted the enemy advance and enabled his unit to counterattack and retake the lost ground. For his actions on that day, Cpl. Hernandez was awarded the distinguished Medal Of Honor on April 21, 1052. The indomitable fighting spirit, outstanding courage, and tenacious devotion to duty clearly demonstrated by Cpl. Hernandez reflect the highest credit upon himself, the infantry, and the U.S. Army.

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

Click photo for full sized image.

This weeks photo theme is
Bloom, hence the rose blooming so beautifully.

First Lieutenant Randall Lee Ashby
Second Platoon, Company B, 317th Engineer Battalion, 2d Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized)

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918 (amended by an act of July 25, 1963), takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant (Corps of Engineers) Randall Lee Ashby, United States Army, for gallantry while serving as the Platoon Leader of Second Platoon, Company B, 317th Engineer Battalion, 2d Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized). First Lieutenant Ashby consistently demonstrated valor in executing his engineer missions as the lead sapper platoon leader for Task Force 2-69 Armor. Serving with Team ASSASSIN, he voluntarily executed dangerous missions in order to contribute to the engineer’s success. First Lieutenant Ashby’s personal bravery and selfless actions are in keeping with the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Third Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne,” and the United States Army. NARRATIVE TO ACCOMPANY AWARD: For gallantry in connection with military operations against a hostile force in the country of Iraq in support of Operation IRAQI FREEDOM. First Lieutenant Ashby distinguished himself while serving as Platoon Leader with Second Platoon, Company B, 317th Engineer Battalion, and attached to 2d Battalion, 69th Armor Regiment, 3d Infantry Division (Mechanized). First Lieutenant Ashby exhibited extreme gallantry on multiple occasions in over 25 days of continuous combat operations. He spearheaded engineer movement for the Division for roughly 200 kilometers to OBJ CLAY, the Highway 1 Bridge across the Euphrates located to the west of An Nasiriyah. On the night of 21 March 2003, First Lieutenant Ashby led the engineer effort at OBJ CLAY under Team Assassin by providing the first reconnaissance of this key bridge as elements of the Iraqi 11th Infantry Division defended the area. First Lieutenant Ashby, while under fire, conducted a difficult classification mission and ensured the safe passage of an armored company onto OBJ CLAY NORTH. Moreover, after the Task Force had established a tactical assembly area to the west, First Lieutenant Ashby returned to OBJ CLAY to reconnoiter a construction bridge adjacent to the Highway 1 Bridge amid enemy artillery fire from the northern shore. Later, as Team Assassin conducted a dangerous linkup with elements of 3-7 Cavalry south of the city of Al Kifl, First Lieutenant Ashby directed his platoon’s emplacement of vital blocking obstacles to prevent enemy penetration of the company’s sector for more than seventy hours of continuous enemy contact. In addition, under his leadership 2d Platoon destroyed 300 pounds of TNT intended by the enemy for use on the Al Kifl Bridge. In southern Al Kifl, his platoon gained entry using demolitions to a water-bottling factory with a water supply greatly needed by both the Task Force and the local populous. First Lieutenant Ashby again distinguished himself on 1 April 2003 by emplacing explosive obstacles along RTE VENEZUELA to the east of the key city of Karbala at OBJ LEE. He led the emplacement with Team Assassin under fire from Saddam Fedayeen RPG ambushes and T-62 tanks. On 6 April 2003 again with Team Assassin as the lead element of the Task Force’s attack into the Taji region north of Baghdad against Republican Guard and Saddam Fedayeen units, First Lieutenant Ashby personally destroyed with, MK-19 fire, eight enemy RPG teams and dismounted enemy soldiers over a 55 kilometer attack to OBJ MONTY. He displayed calm leadership following a fatal enemy RPG strike on one of his M113 armored personnel carriers, providing stability for his men as they treated two other soldiers wounded in action. While escorting a D9 Dozer, a Division high value asset, to OBJ MONTY, First Lieutenant Ashby protected the dozer from an enemy vehicle intent on ramming them. First Lieutenant Ashby’s personal bravery as the lead sapper platoon leader for Task Force 2-69 Armor are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself, Third Infantry Division “Rock of the Marne,” and the United States Army.

All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

–

On April 20 The Deepwater Horizon oil drilling rig exploded resulting in a well head leak that has gushed up to 130 million gallons of oil into the sea.It also cost 11 lives and injured critically 7 others. The crew totaled 126.

For 70 days the government allowed BP to handle all attempts at containment and cleanup, we hear
that the govt. is graciously accepting offers of aid. Finally. Thank God.

For whatever reason the government has finally decided to show
a glimmer of intelligence and is ” allowing” 12 countries and international
organizations to assist the USA in cleaning up what is the worst
disaster in history, the Gulf of Mexico oil spill..
Japan, is providing two high-speed skimmers and fire containment boom was the only county named to date.

Thank you to all who have offered.

We can only hope that beach volunteers will be accepted soon as well.

BP whose track record speaks so clearly for its self, is impressing no one nor fooling anyone
with their “We Care” act. Actions speak louder than words as the families of those who died aboard
the platform know.As the world knows watching the oil gush through that pipe, safety, Heh!
Costs too much and slows you down right BP?

We know BP has been lying through their teeth
we suspect that the govt has been also, so now finally a move in the right direction.

That sounds wonderful….. problem is that it’s a bit early to worry about cleanup, when the well
is not contained in any manner. Again I have to ask why is the corp of engineers not on this like….well….
Pick your metaphor…………

Where is our navy? Why are we not using our abilities to solve this problem ?
Why are we not using every available asset to get this under control?

At a conservative estimate of 1,470,000 GAL/DAY that’s a hell of a lot of oil……………..

wave of oil

Tech Sergeant Victor R. Adams
20th Special Operations Squadron

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Title 10, Section 8742, United States Code, takes pleasure in presenting the Air Force Cross to Technical Sergeant Victor R. Adams (AFSN: 13533712), United States Air Force, for extraordinary heroism in military operations against an opposing armed force while serving as a UH-1F Helicopter Aerial Gunner of the 20th Special Operations Squadron, Nha Trang Air Base, Vietnam, in action near Duc Co, Republic of Vietnam, on the night of 26 – 27 November 1968. On that date, Sergeant Adams’ aircraft was shot down by hostile ground fire and crashed in dense jungle. Disregarding his own injuries and the imminence of hostile activity, he assisted the co-pilot from the burning helicopter and returned to rescue the trapped personnel. He succeeded in pulling another man from the wreckage, before the severity of the fire and subsequent explosions forced him to abandon further rescue efforts. Through his superb airmanship, aggressiveness, and extraordinary heroism, in the face of hostile forces, Sergeant Adams reflected the highest credit upon himself and the United States Air Force.

All Information Was Found On And Copied From MilitaryCity.com

These brave men and women sacrifice so much in their lives so that others may enjoy the freedoms we get to enjoy everyday. For that, I am proud to call them Hero.
We Should Not Only Mourn These Men And Women Who Died, We Should Also Thank God That Such People Lived

This post is part of the Wednesday Hero Blogroll. For more information about Wednesday Hero, or if you would like to post it on your site, you can go here.

BP and the US Goverment have proven that is not a concept they are ready to embrace.
While daily news gets grimmer, we have to ask, where is the outrage, where is the disbeliefthat a company
would be so greedy as to put the entire planet at risk, yes the entire planet.

I along with I hope most of you will be watch and asking questions, like
why wasnt the arny corp of engenieers called in, why were other options not tried?
They could have fixed this weeks ago, or at least been honest and told us where we stand.

Telling us everythings going to be ok is not going to cut it.
I intend to start documenting, and posting my findings.

Bear with me as I am still fighting for strength, but this is bigger then you or I, this
is the fate of earth and life as we know it.