State Captain's Newsletter

December 24, 2011

NY Patriot Guard Riders and associates

As we gather with our families and give and receive gifts, let us remember our Warriors who have given their all, their families who have given their loved one and those who have returned disabled and will never be the same. Let us not forget those in foreign places serving now, many in harms way and will not be with their families for Christmas. Our past Veterans and their families who have given some and our Heroes who gave all. The gift of freedom has never been free.

Our Help On The Homefront (HOTH) program has assisted 5 families this week with food and presents for the children and repairs to the home of a Wounded Warrior. Our program serves the families of our Fallen, Wounded and Veterans year round with the funds donated and raised through our fundraisers. This program is overseen by our 9 members of the NY BOD.

To all our members who ride and stand the flag line, our Captains who selflessly organize each mission, our web team and those who visit the VA hospital , work our Veteran Recovery Program and HOTH fundraisers etc..... please know your gifts are invaluable to those we serve. The tears of gratitude, hugs and letters of thanks are evidence of the impact you have on each family.

I am honored to serve with each one of you.

Thank you all and Merry Christmas!

Dave Kern
NY State Captain
www.pgrny.org

November 7, 2011

NY Members and associates,

Even with rumors of us pulling all of our troops out of Iraq by years end, we are still receiving casualties from Iraq, as recently as last week.
"1st Lt. Dustin D. Vincent, 25, of Mesquite, Texas, died Nov. 3, in Kirkuk province, Iraq, of wounds suffered when enemy forces attacked his unit with small arms fire."

Even if your region has been quiet, there are over 100 missions posted currently between NY and National. Please visit the websites and add your condolences. As I am writing this another notice came in of a Marine that just gave his life for us, Lance Cpl. Nickolas A. Daniels, 25, of Elmwood Park, Ill., died Nov. 5 while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan.

Riding weather may be deteriorating but our missions of honor will continue all winter. We must continue too. Our Active Duty and our Veterans from WW11, Korea, Viet Nam and all conflicts and eras are passing on every day. Their families request or invite us because we come in all weather, by motorcycles or in cars, and we stand in silent gratitude, with flags straight to protect the dignity, to ensure respect and honor, because we care. Our presence lets them know they are not alone and our Heroes will not be forgotten.

There are still many US Servicemen MIA and unaccounted for and many buried in battle fields and at sea worldwide. There are unclaimed remains of our Veterans on shelves as cremains and in paupers graves. We will continue to build and expand our Veterans Recovery Program.

I am honored to serve with all of you who turn out to each mission in honor of the service and sacrifices made.

This Veterans day and every day let us share with our neighbors, co-workers and young people what it means to be a Patriot and what it costs to live in Freedom.

Until they all come home,
--
Dave Kern
NY State Captain
www.pgrny.org

August 19, 2011

PGRNY Members and Associates,

As the 10th anniversary of the 911 terrorist attacks approaches, we are increasingly reminded of the high costs of Freedom. Hundreds of thousands of our Servicemen and woman remain on foreign soil in harms way. Our Fallen Heroes now number near 7,000 and our Wounded are reported at over 30,000. There are untold numbers of our brothers and sisters returning who suffer with Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) and other illnesses.

The requests we receive for support continue to grow. Our main mission is to ride escort, stand tall in silent recognition and protect each family from any person or group who may intend to disrupt the services. We bring a sense of honor, dignity, security and respect with us that lets the families know we sincerely care and they are not alone, in what may be the toughest days they will ever see. Each person and flag does have an unforgettable impact. The thank you's and cards of appreciation belong to each of you that serve in each flag line and escort.

June 16, 2011

NY Members and associates,

I would like to thank all of you who represent the PGR by attending the many missions we are invited to or requested for. The motorcycle escorts and flag lines we provide have an unforgettable impact on the families and communities we serve. You bring an added sense of honor, security, respect and support. Our presence lets the family know they are not alone. We must not forget how important it is for us to maintain a silent and sharp appearance with flags straight. The thank you's and letters of appreciation belong to you.

May 3, 2011

NY Members and Associates,

We have all heard how a team of our finest took out Osama the other night! After a feeling of relief and celebration comes the reminder that hundreds of thousands of our Servicemen and women and their families have sacrificed and will continue to serve and sacrifice. May we *never forget them and the price of freedom*. May we also never forget those civilians killed on 9/11, the 343 Fireman and many others who gave their lives trying to save others that day.

After the recent Supreme Court ruling in favor of funeral protesters, many of you worked hard and a few new bills were introduced into NY legislation to stop / limit these freak shows and they are awaiting committee approval and the Governor's signature. Sometimes this takes a long time and I am asking you to write, email or call your assemblyman and put on a push asking them to take action to get these laws passed and in place. The link to find your regions rep is here.
http://www.nyassembly.gov/mem/