Patriot Guard Riders New York
Who We Are
PGRNY is a diverse group of patriots who come together to show respect and support to US service members, honorably discharged veterans, first responders who die in the line of duty, and their families by standing flag lines and providing escorts at memorial services, only at the request of the family. We also stand flag line for other events honoring veterans and military personnel by request. We do not have meetings, dues, or most of the other membership requirements of other organizations. Many of our members share a love of motorcycles and many are veterans, but neither is a requirement. The only thing our members do have in common is a deep feeling of appreciation of the sacrifices that our military and first responders have made and continue to make.
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and 100% volunteer organization. Any donations received go directly to members of the Armed Services, veterans, families of deployed service members, and Gold Star families in need through our Help on the Homefront (HOTH) programs: Veteran's Financial Assistance Program and Veteran's Furniture Assistance Program. A small portion of the funds raised goes to the families of veterans in the form of a plaque at memorial services.
Request A PGRNY Mission
"Standing For Those Who Stood For US"
Missions are one of the ways Patriot Guard Riders New York, Inc. (PGRNY) show support for US service members, veterans, and their families.
Missions vary greatly and can include standing flag lines or providing escorts to veterans for such diverse events as calling hours, gravesite services, the return home of veterans on Honor Flights and active military personnel from overseas assignments, as well as for ceremonies honoring veterans, etc. It is our honor to attend these missions and there are no fees or expenses incurred by the requesting family or organization.
Updated guidelines for National Cemeteries from the National Cemetery Administration: “All Department of Veterans Affairs' (VA) national cemeteries remain open and continue to provide interment for Veterans and eligible individuals during this health crisis. Committal services, which had been discontinued on March 23, will resume starting June 9 in all but two cemeteries. Families with interments scheduled on or after June 9 will be offered the option of a committal service at the time of interment. At Calverton and Long Island national cemeteries in New York, that option will be available starting June 22 provided state and local guidance permit. VA national cemeteries will contact families who were unable to hold a committal service due to the COVID-19 pandemic to arrange memorial services for their loved ones beginning in July.”
For complete information please visit: VA.gov
Funeral Mission Requests
honorable discharged veterans, and first reponders who die in the line of duty. Our attendence is by request of the family only. Funeral mission requests may be to stand a flag line at the funeral home and/or church service; provide an escort to the cemetery, and/or stand a flag line at the cemetery. It is up to the family to determine how much representation they wish from PGRNY.
Event Mission Requests
PGRNY Current Missions
- R1/2 Honor Mission - Gary Donald Butt, U.S. Navy, NYS Police (ret), Mon. 04/12/2021 - Pembrook / Corfu, NY
- R2/3, Honor Mission - George L. Gay, US Army, Vietnam Era Veteran, Sat., 04/10/2021, Baldwinsville, NY
- R8/9, Honor Mission - Lawrence Schecter, U.S. Air Force, Korean War Era, Sun., 04/18/2021 - West Babylon, NY
- R8/9, Memorial Mission - Sgt. Robert A. Hendriks, USMC Street Renaming, Sat., 04/17/2021 - Locust Valley, NY
- R8/9, UPDATED - Honor Mission - Joseph Billera, US Army, WWII Veteran, Saturday, April 10, 2021, Ronkonkoma - Port Jefferson Station, NY
PGRNY Membership
One of the ways PGR members Honor the veterans who have served and continue to serve our country is to participate in Missions. The time they give to stand for those who have stood for us is greatly appreciated.
Simply fill out the form and submit. Based on the county you live in, you will be signed up for a region within New York State. You will receive Mission emails for your region. It is up to you whether or not you attend a mission. More information on membership is available here.
Our News
Acknowledgements
Rep. Zeldin Honors Patriot Guard Riders on House Floor. On April 12, 2018, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) honored the Patriot Guard Riders from Long Island and across the United States on the floor of the House of Representatives.
It's not about us...
However, we received recognition for our efforts in the form of a proclamation from Sulfolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy, 12th District. Patriot Guard Riders of New York attended and stood honoring Daniel Pierce, USAF on November 5, 2020. There was no known family to see him to his final rest. PGRNY was asked to stand and honor him as part of his family.
Thank you Legislator Leslie Kennedy.
Announcements
For a complete listing of all Announcements, visit the Announcements page.
-
Region 9 Announces RC John Merkle
John Merkle has been an extremely solid member with the Patriot Guard. He has been to many missions in all kinds of weather to stand and honor our veterans. He is very level headed and has asked questions that show he is ready to take on the duties of a Ride Captain. John is also a veteran of the...
-
PGRNY Independent Financial Review
Patriot Guard Riders of NY Independent Financial Review During the Spring of 2020, the Patriot Guard Riders of New York, Inc. retained the services of a New York-based independent accounting firm, RBT CPAs, LLP. The firm was tasked with conducting an analysis of the fiscal processes and tracking...
-
Region 4 Announces RC - John F Mercier
Please join me in congratulating PGRNY Region 4 member John Mercier on his promotion to Ride Captain. John has been a dedicated member since 2018, and has demonstrated his passion for the PGR mission by standing for our fallen heroes at every opportunity. A native of Whitehall, NY, John graduated...
-
Region 9 Announces RC - Nicole Depalo
Nicole is a Blue Star mom who is dedicated to honoring and supporting veterans as well as first responders. She has shown the ability to organize a mission and to work well with any other groups that are in presence at a mission. Please join us in congratulating Nicole in her new position! Pete...
-
Region 8 Announces RCs - James & Theresa Martinelli
Terry and Jim are great candidates for the position of Ride Captains. They know our mission standards and how to uphold them. They are extremely dedicated to honoring veterans as they themselves are Gold Star Parents. It is an honor to put them forth as Ride Captains....
-
Region 2 Announces RC - Brian Chase
I am pleased to announce the appointment of Brian Chase as Region 2 Ride Captain. Brian has been a PGR member for 7 years and comes from a military family. His father served on a submarine during the Vietnam War, an aunt that served 24 years in the Army and a stepbrotherwho was a US Marine. Brian...
Thank You Notes
For a complete listing of all Thank You Notes, visit the Thank You Notes page.
-
Region 4/5 Honor Mission - Joseph P. Renehan
A thank you from the Renehan family.
-
Region 1/2 Honor Mission - Henry K. Erb
We received a phone call from Henry Erb's son the other day. Even after a year and a half, his son was thanking us for the mission for his dad's funeral and stated it was fantastic. As he put it, his call was long overdue and wanted to make a donation to PGRNY. He was so pleased with the plaque...
-
Region 8/9 Honor Mission - James R. Newkirk
To: James Jepson & Fellow Patiots Thank you for the honor your group bestowed on my late husband, James Newkirk. He probably was smiling from heaven at the beautiful ceremonies. Again our sincere thanks for an impressive display of honor. Yours truly, Marie Newkirk...
-
Region 4/5 Honor Mission - Joseph G. Albanese
Dear Patriot Guard Riders, On behalf of my entire family, I would like to thank you for such a wonderful tribute for our father, Joseph G Albanese Sr. Your honor, respect & dignity for our father, a Korean War veteran, goes far beyond words. Our family was so humbled by your many Patriot Guards...
-
Region 8/9 Honor Mission - Joseph Vito Frenna
Mr. Cohen, I'd like to express my sincere appreciation to you and your chapter for rendering honors at my uncle's (Joseph Frenna) funeral this morning. It was so disappointing, with all these travel restrictions, that none of my uncle's out-of-state and Canadian family and friends, could attend...
-
Region 6/7/8 Honor Mission - Walter J. Merkle
I wanted to thank you all very much for the lovely send off my Dad received from the Patriot Guard of NY yesterday. We were all blown away by the pageantry, dignity and respect you showed my Dad and family, from start to finish...The funeral home honor guard, escort to, and from church - and my...