The Patriot Guard Riders need help on the afternoon/evening of Wednesday July 12th for a PGR SPECIAL MISSION in Oak Grove, KY for the Ft. Campbell Eagle Remeberance Ceremony. There is a possibility that protestors may try to show up but PGR really wants to do a tremendously positive display at the front gate that will honor America's fallen heroes and they are requesting help.
DETAILS FROM THE PGR WEBSITE:
"Ft. Campbell and the 101st Airborne Division are holding the monthly Eagle Remembrance Ceremony to honor all 101st Airborne Division soldiers who have been killed in the previous month. July's ceremony will be held on July 12th, which is the 2nd Wednesday in July.
It is a beautiful ceremony and is very moving. If you have not been to one yet, I (as well as a few others who have been) highly recommend trying to come. This is NOT your "normal" PGR mission. We may or may not enter post this time due to certain circumstances from the February ceremony that may repeat themselves. Some of you will know what that means. For us, it means that WE NEED ALL THE RIDER AND CAGER SUPPORT WE CAN MUSTER!!
PLEASE round up all the riders/cagers and flags you can get to come with you as we have one heck of a twist to the beginning of this mission. We are attempting to line the street in front of Ft. Campbell for 1.5 miles with PGR members from all over with 3x5 flags in hand before we round up everyone and everything and head to the ceremony. Ft. Campbell has had another very rough month with casualties and we have done missions for most of these soldiers so this is a very important "special mission".
STAGING INFORMATION: We will stage at the Oak Grove American Legion on 41A/Fort Campbell Blvd about 8 miles south of I-24, exit 86 and across from the Wal Mart in Oak Grove. Here is the address for the Legion if you need to do Mapquest directions:
American Legion Post 233 14633 Fort Campbell Blvd Oak Grove, KY 42262
We will begin staging and meeting up at 4:30pm in front of the Legion. We will stay at the Legion until NO LATER THAN 6:40pm. Please come early in the staging time if possible so that you can meet and greet the other PGR members that can make it. We need to leave the Legion by 6:40pm so that we can be in place before the evening's events begin. If you need to get a pass to get on post, try to make it early to staging so we can get you set up in case we do make it onto post. If you know how it all works, the visitor center is right next to Gate 4 so you can go there and get your pass. If you need any assistance, let me know. I will be at the staging area a little early hopefully so that we can make this as smooth as possible.
REQUIRED ITEMS TO GET ON POST:
Motorcycle/Trike: DOT approved helmet, eye protection, full-finger gloves, long sleeve shirt or jacket, long pants, enclosed footwear (no sandals; boots recommended), and reflective belt or vest. Also you will need a valid drivers license with motorcycle endorsement, valid insurance card, and registration for the bike. Reflective belts and vests are available fairly cheap at any of the local military surplus stores near the post. I will have a few extra with me for those who may need one.
Cage: You need a valid drivers license, valid insurance, and registration. If you have passengers over the age of 12, they will also need some form of photo ID.
ROUTE FROM LEGION TO POST: Very easy route from the Legion to the post. Turn Right on 41A South/Fort Campbell Blvd when exiting Legion. 4th light down is Fort Campbell's Gate 4. We will turn right onto the Gate 4 access road and enter into the Traffic Checkpoint. Which side we go through will depend on the size of the group. After entering post, we will stay straight on what has become Screaming Eagle Blvd. After the first light, we will come up to division and head to a parking area that will be determined by early next week depending on the numbers that plan on attending.
GENERAL INFO: This ceremony starts right around between 7:30 and 8pm and can sometimes last a couple hours. If overnight arrangements are needed, let me know so that we can try and figure something out. I DO NOT recommend bringing small children, due to many different circumstances. Prepare for a lot of emotion. The families of most of the soldiers being remembered are going to be there. This ceremony is performed very professionally and it will get to you at times. Just a heads up. May wanna bring tissue if you are prone to tears. This month, please bring flags and friends. We really NEED all the rider/cager support that we can pull off.
I will be coordinating this mission with the Oak Grove Police Department, the Fort Campbell Military Police and the Fort Campbell Provost Marshall to ensure everything for us is smooth for this. Oak Grove PD was more than supportive of what we did the last time we met for this ceremony, so hopefully it all works out the same or better this time."
