Many things have happened since my last post on March 29. Needless to say that CPL Isaiah Mays is now properly interred within Arlington National Cemetery and the mission was an overwhelming success. However, the path to getting there was much more difficult than we ever expected.
With such a short time between exhuming Isaiah and actually leaving for Arlington, we were very limited in the amount of fundraising that we could accomplish, and while the fundraisers that we did hold were for the most part very successful, the organization, as a whole, came up vastly short of the money that was really needed to accomplish the task as it was originally planned.
The ride to Arlington was met with six straight days of pouring rain, making the cross country motorcycle escort wet and unpleasant. But in spite of the weather, all of the riders maintained a very positive attitude and pressed forward toward the objective.
The motorcycle escort received overwhelming support as we traveled across the nation. We would like to thank all of those who put so much time and effort into providing such outstanding support. A special thank you to Walt Oster and the KY support group for their incredible support from state line to state line.
Arlington National Cemetery was beautiful. The sights and emotions of being there are beyond description. The sight of hundreds of funeral escort motorcycles winding through the cemetery as absolutely awe-inspiring. Please be sure and visit our photo gallery and the photo gallery of the MIAP to see the pictures of all the events.
CPL Mays funeral was awesome. The Old Post Chapel was filled to capacity with those who came to pay their respects. Our hearts went out to the Arlington National Cemetery Honor Guard who performed their duties with precision in spite of drenching rain. Ron Eppich, President of Old Guard Riders, received the casket flag on behalf of the OGR. Lea Eppich and Jamie Thomas were seated beside Ron, comprising the three founding members of the Old Guard Riders. Ron, Lea and Jamie were personally greeted and thanked by Secretary of the Army Pete Gere. A Representative of the Military Joint Chiefs of Staff also greeted Ron, Lea and Jamie.
On Friday evening, following a full day within Arlington National Cemetery, members of the MIAP and OGR held a farewell/awards meeting in the hotel conference room.
By Sunday afternoon, all of the escort riders were on their way back home, many still encountering the same pouring rain they had experienced on the way to Arlington.
On Friday, June 12th, at the request of the family, the Old Guard Riders exhumed the body of PO2 Staggs from the White Tanks cemetery, where he had been mistakenly interred as an indigent unknown male.
Members of the Old Guard Riders will attend his funeral at the Arizona National Memorial Cemetery on June 22 as special guests of the family.
In the meantime, the Old Guard Riders are engaging in a number of fundraisers, not only to recoup some of the expenses from Arlington, but to move forward with a number of OGR missions and programs already in progress.
We would like to welcome Dave Thresher and Hunter McIntosh to the OGR Executive Committee and look forward to working closely with them as we move the mission of the OGR forward.
Friday, June 19, 2009
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Week of March 29, 2009
January 10th - Chester's Harley Davidson, in conjunction with the Arizona Buffalo Soldiers MC, held an anuual Cpl Isaiah Mays Fundraising Ride. Members of the Old Guard Riders participated in the ride to remember Cpl Mays. Much more information on Cpl Isaiah Mays to follow.
On January 30, members of the Old Guard Riders attended the funeral of SSgt Roberto Andrade Jr, who was killed in Baghdad, Iraq of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle. Bill Taylor, VP of the OGR, presented the family a Gold Star Flag for SSgt Andrade.
Over the weekend of February 20 and 21, 2009, veterans and patriots from across the nation gathered in Sacaton, AZ for the 64th Anniversary Iwo Jima Landing and Flag Raising Commemoration in Sacaton, Arizona. Sacaton is the home of Iwo Jima hero Ira Hayes. members of the Old Guard Riders participated in the parade as well as other scheduled events throughout the commemoration.
On February 27, members of the Old Guard Riders attended the funeral of WWII veteran Al Fenn in Benson, AZ.
Cpl Isaiah Mays "Honors At Arlington"
From mid January 2009 through March 19 -20, members of the MIAP/OGR Team have been steadily moving forward on exhuming Cpl Isaiah Mays from his present burial location for proper reinterment at Arlington National Cemetery.
On march 19th and 20th, Isaiah Mays was finally exhumed in preparation for his journey to the military honors he has long been denied.
On May 21st, members of the OGR Funeral Escort Team will depart Apache Junction, AZ on the long journey to "Honors At Arlington."
On January 30, members of the Old Guard Riders attended the funeral of SSgt Roberto Andrade Jr, who was killed in Baghdad, Iraq of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device struck his vehicle. Bill Taylor, VP of the OGR, presented the family a Gold Star Flag for SSgt Andrade.
Over the weekend of February 20 and 21, 2009, veterans and patriots from across the nation gathered in Sacaton, AZ for the 64th Anniversary Iwo Jima Landing and Flag Raising Commemoration in Sacaton, Arizona. Sacaton is the home of Iwo Jima hero Ira Hayes. members of the Old Guard Riders participated in the parade as well as other scheduled events throughout the commemoration.
On February 27, members of the Old Guard Riders attended the funeral of WWII veteran Al Fenn in Benson, AZ.
Cpl Isaiah Mays "Honors At Arlington"
From mid January 2009 through March 19 -20, members of the MIAP/OGR Team have been steadily moving forward on exhuming Cpl Isaiah Mays from his present burial location for proper reinterment at Arlington National Cemetery.
On march 19th and 20th, Isaiah Mays was finally exhumed in preparation for his journey to the military honors he has long been denied.
On May 21st, members of the OGR Funeral Escort Team will depart Apache Junction, AZ on the long journey to "Honors At Arlington."
Thursday, December 25, 2008
Week of December 28, 2008
On December 6, the Old Guard Riders were asked to assist with an American Legion ceremony dedicating a $20,000 video library to the residence of the Veterans Center in Phoenix, AZ.
Early on the morning of the 6th, riders from across the Phoenix valley gathered at Legion Post 1 for the 3.5 mile ride from the Post to the VA Center. The Old Guard Riders were asked to coordinate and conduct the motorcycle ride portion of the event. 135 motorcycles participated in the event. The ride and the event went perfectly and the residence of the VA Center were thrilled with their new addition.
On December 13th, members of the Old Guard Riders gathered at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix and in Prescott to particiapte in the Wreaths Across America program. While many of us chose the comfort of our cars to get to and from the event, some die-hard OGR members, like Guy Kelley, rode in nearly freezing, blustery conditions to participate. What an awesome event and what an awesome sight to see all those wreaths at the headstones of America's veterans.
Starting 2009, Old Guard Riders will become an official sponsor of the Wreaths Across America program. We hope to place wreaths on the graves of thousands more veterans this coming year.
Please go to the Wreaths Across America link on the OGR website Table of Contents and make a generous donation.
On December 20, members of the Old Guard Riders held the 2nd Annual Sgt. Robert Scott Eppich Memorial Ride & Fallen Soldier Roll Call.
With all the events surrounding Christmas, especially motorcycle club activities, this year's event was a little more intimate than in years past. However, fewer in number does not mean less powerful or meaningful to all those who attended.
Once again, we gathered to remember and honor all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. The event began with a 50 mile motorcycle ride from Mesa, AZ to the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix. We were reminded that many of those we were traveling to remember also owned and loved their motorcycles.
We were met at the cemetery by many guests who had gathered there. After an introduction, the posting of the colors and an invocation, the names of all Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen from Arizona who were Killed in Action since 2003 were read. At the conclusion, all American conflicts were listed, and family or friends of Veterans from that conflict were invited to come forward and give their loved one's name and make comments, as they felt moved to do. Many of those who attended stood up and told of the legacy left them by their fallen loved ones.
At the conclusion, everyone was invited to American Legion Post 107 for lunch.
The OGR has now been invited to assist with the Isaiah Mays Memorial Ride on January 10th. We will be helping to raise money to move the remains of this Buffalo Soldier and Medal of Honor Recipient who served in the Civil War from the Phoenix pauper's grave he now rests in to Arlington, where he can be properly interred and remembered for his valor. For more information about Isaiah Mays, Buffalo Soldier, Medal of Honor recipient and his plight, please see the flyer on our Announcements Page.
Early on the morning of the 6th, riders from across the Phoenix valley gathered at Legion Post 1 for the 3.5 mile ride from the Post to the VA Center. The Old Guard Riders were asked to coordinate and conduct the motorcycle ride portion of the event. 135 motorcycles participated in the event. The ride and the event went perfectly and the residence of the VA Center were thrilled with their new addition.
On December 13th, members of the Old Guard Riders gathered at the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix and in Prescott to particiapte in the Wreaths Across America program. While many of us chose the comfort of our cars to get to and from the event, some die-hard OGR members, like Guy Kelley, rode in nearly freezing, blustery conditions to participate. What an awesome event and what an awesome sight to see all those wreaths at the headstones of America's veterans.
Starting 2009, Old Guard Riders will become an official sponsor of the Wreaths Across America program. We hope to place wreaths on the graves of thousands more veterans this coming year.
Please go to the Wreaths Across America link on the OGR website Table of Contents and make a generous donation.
On December 20, members of the Old Guard Riders held the 2nd Annual Sgt. Robert Scott Eppich Memorial Ride & Fallen Soldier Roll Call.
With all the events surrounding Christmas, especially motorcycle club activities, this year's event was a little more intimate than in years past. However, fewer in number does not mean less powerful or meaningful to all those who attended.
Once again, we gathered to remember and honor all those who made the ultimate sacrifice for our freedom. The event began with a 50 mile motorcycle ride from Mesa, AZ to the National Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix. We were reminded that many of those we were traveling to remember also owned and loved their motorcycles.
We were met at the cemetery by many guests who had gathered there. After an introduction, the posting of the colors and an invocation, the names of all Soldiers, Sailors, Marines and Airmen from Arizona who were Killed in Action since 2003 were read. At the conclusion, all American conflicts were listed, and family or friends of Veterans from that conflict were invited to come forward and give their loved one's name and make comments, as they felt moved to do. Many of those who attended stood up and told of the legacy left them by their fallen loved ones.
At the conclusion, everyone was invited to American Legion Post 107 for lunch.
The OGR has now been invited to assist with the Isaiah Mays Memorial Ride on January 10th. We will be helping to raise money to move the remains of this Buffalo Soldier and Medal of Honor Recipient who served in the Civil War from the Phoenix pauper's grave he now rests in to Arlington, where he can be properly interred and remembered for his valor. For more information about Isaiah Mays, Buffalo Soldier, Medal of Honor recipient and his plight, please see the flyer on our Announcements Page.
Week of November 30, 2008
If the month of October was busy, the month of November kept close pace. Following the October 27th MIAP ride, the membership of the Old Guard Riders increased dramatically. Along with the increase in membership also came an increase in the number of Chapters throughout the country. Most notably, the contingent of MIAP leadership who rode to Arizona for the Oct 27th MIAP Mission returned to Redding, CA and chartered their own chapter of Old Guard Riders. Welcome aboard to all new members and chapters.
The Veteran's Day parade float was a great success. Thanks to the generosity of Air-a-zona Flag Company, we were able to put put together a very beautiful float and were honored to have two WWII veterans ride on the float. The reenactment of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising struck a deep chord with parade watchers and many a veteran stood a little taller as it passed by.
Not to rest upon our laurels, immediately after the parade, members of the OGR began gathering food and other goods for a Thanksgiving Day Feast for the homeless and disadvantaged, including our veterans. In all, OGR gathered over 250 lbs of turkey and over $600.00 of other Thanksgiving Day food and treats. Torrential rains the night before Thanksgiving Day made for a wet, dreary day, but the meals quickly warmed the spirits of all who came. About a dozen members of the OGR helped to serve the food, and we were all greatly rewarded for having done so. Our thanks to the Abba Outreach Program for allowing us to team up with them in accomplishing this effort.
The Veteran's Day parade float was a great success. Thanks to the generosity of Air-a-zona Flag Company, we were able to put put together a very beautiful float and were honored to have two WWII veterans ride on the float. The reenactment of the Iwo Jima Flag Raising struck a deep chord with parade watchers and many a veteran stood a little taller as it passed by.
Not to rest upon our laurels, immediately after the parade, members of the OGR began gathering food and other goods for a Thanksgiving Day Feast for the homeless and disadvantaged, including our veterans. In all, OGR gathered over 250 lbs of turkey and over $600.00 of other Thanksgiving Day food and treats. Torrential rains the night before Thanksgiving Day made for a wet, dreary day, but the meals quickly warmed the spirits of all who came. About a dozen members of the OGR helped to serve the food, and we were all greatly rewarded for having done so. Our thanks to the Abba Outreach Program for allowing us to team up with them in accomplishing this effort.
Week of November 2, 2008
The month of October was a very busy month for the Old Guard Riders. OGR is the sponsor organization in Arizona for the Missing In America Project. The Mission of the Missing In America Project is to locate, identitify, confirm the VA eligibility of and inter at a National Cemetery, the unclaimed remains of American veterans. Members of the Old Guard Riders have been working with the Mountainview Memorial Gardens Cemetery in Mesa, AZ for nearly a year to complete the necessary steps to inter the unclaimed remains of six veterans and one spouse which have been "shelved" at the mortuary for years.
On October 27, 2008, 413 motorcycles and numerous other vehicles gathered at the mortuary to escort these veterans and spouse over 50 miles to the National Memorial Cemetery in North Phoenix. The riders were joined at the cemetery by another 119 motorcycles and a vast gathering of dignitaries and guests.
Govenor Janet Napolitano issued a State Proclaimation declaring October 27th a day of rememberance for theses seven veterans and all of the other unclaimed veterans yet to be discovered.
The ceremony was capped by a WWII P-51 Mustang flyover.
The event was followed by a special luncheon at Scottsdale Harley Davidson.
Special thanks to Christina Duwel, Jim Taft and all the others who contributed so much to this event.
The Old Guard Riders has been asked to honor the veterans of WWII by creating a float for the Apache Jct. Veteran's Day Parade. That's just two weeks away.
Thursday, September 11, 2008
Week of Sept. 7, 2008
On the morning of Saturday, Sept 6, members of the Old Guard Riders joined with over 200 family members, friends, military comrades and other riders gathered at the Arizona National Memorial Cemetery in North Phoenix to remember the first anniversary of the sacrifice of PFC Mykel F Miller, killed in action 9-6-2007 while serving with his unit in Afghanistan. PFC Miller was one of two soldiers assigned the Arizona ANG "Bushmasters" killed in Afghanistan.
On Saturday evening, the Old Guard Riders conducted our first full scale fund-raising dinner at VFW Post 9399 in Apache Junction, AZ. Not only was it a great night for fun, food and friends, but the OGR took another step forward as we strive to honor and support America's veterans. The funds raised will go directly toward assisting aging, homeless, disabled and disadvantaged veterans in the Phoenix area. Currently there are over 6000 homeless veterans on the streets of Phoenix alone.
We would like to thank all the volunteers and guests who made the dinner a great success. Our special thanks to Board Member "Perky" Olsen who put it all together and made it happen. Also our special thanks to those who travelled several hours to be present in order to support the dinner, including Tony & Sandra Pace from Sierra Vista, AZ.
Today is Sept 11. Another anniversary of an American tragedy. Lets all remember the sacrifice that so many have made so that we may enjoy the freedom and prosperity that we do. Please fly those American flags high and proud.
In closing, AZ has seen an epidemic increase in the number of motorcycle accidents and fatalities over the past few weeks, including Michael Lee-Lewis Murray, a 22 year old Iraq veteran killed over labor Day weekend on his motorcycle. Members of the Old Guard Riders will attend his funeral saturday morning, Sept 13. Please ride carefully.
On Saturday evening, the Old Guard Riders conducted our first full scale fund-raising dinner at VFW Post 9399 in Apache Junction, AZ. Not only was it a great night for fun, food and friends, but the OGR took another step forward as we strive to honor and support America's veterans. The funds raised will go directly toward assisting aging, homeless, disabled and disadvantaged veterans in the Phoenix area. Currently there are over 6000 homeless veterans on the streets of Phoenix alone.
We would like to thank all the volunteers and guests who made the dinner a great success. Our special thanks to Board Member "Perky" Olsen who put it all together and made it happen. Also our special thanks to those who travelled several hours to be present in order to support the dinner, including Tony & Sandra Pace from Sierra Vista, AZ.
Today is Sept 11. Another anniversary of an American tragedy. Lets all remember the sacrifice that so many have made so that we may enjoy the freedom and prosperity that we do. Please fly those American flags high and proud.
In closing, AZ has seen an epidemic increase in the number of motorcycle accidents and fatalities over the past few weeks, including Michael Lee-Lewis Murray, a 22 year old Iraq veteran killed over labor Day weekend on his motorcycle. Members of the Old Guard Riders will attend his funeral saturday morning, Sept 13. Please ride carefully.
Sunday, August 24, 2008
Week of August 17
On Thursday, August 21, members of the Old Guard Riders joined with American Legion Riders, VFW Riders, Bushmaster Riders and Patriot Guard Riders in honoring another Arizona KIA. Lance Corporal Juan Lopez-Castaneda, 19, US Marine Corps died on Thursday, 14 Aug 08, while supporting combat operations in Helmand Province, Afghanistan. Lance Corporal Castaneda joined the Marine Corps on June 4, 2007. He was on his first deployment.
Members of the Old Guard Riders are also very busy getting prepared for a major fundraising dinner for Old Guard Riders Inc. at VFW Post 9399 in Apache Junction, AZ on September 6th. Special thanks to "Perky" Olsen, who has been the major organizer in this effort.
Due to recruiting efforts, Old Guard Riders membership continues to swell with a new State Coordinator for the State of Utah and a new "Chapter" of the association in the Salt Lake City area. Our thanks to Michael Gallegos for volunteering for that position and his efforts to create an OGR group in the SLC area.
We would also like to recognize Anthony Pace for his efforts to organize a group in Sierra Vista, AZ. Since Tony joined the Old Guard Riders he has become an invaluable asset to the organization with his vast knowledge base on so many issues and his willingness to jump right in and participate. Great job Sierra Vista.
Regrettably, we must also say goodbye to two key officers in the Old Guard Riders' Leadership. Steve Hill, Director, and Holly Thomas, Financial Officer, left the organization this week due to the extensive travel schedule associated with their personal business. We wish them all the best in all their endeavors. Their friendship will be keenly missed.
Members of the Old Guard Riders are also very busy getting prepared for a major fundraising dinner for Old Guard Riders Inc. at VFW Post 9399 in Apache Junction, AZ on September 6th. Special thanks to "Perky" Olsen, who has been the major organizer in this effort.
Due to recruiting efforts, Old Guard Riders membership continues to swell with a new State Coordinator for the State of Utah and a new "Chapter" of the association in the Salt Lake City area. Our thanks to Michael Gallegos for volunteering for that position and his efforts to create an OGR group in the SLC area.
We would also like to recognize Anthony Pace for his efforts to organize a group in Sierra Vista, AZ. Since Tony joined the Old Guard Riders he has become an invaluable asset to the organization with his vast knowledge base on so many issues and his willingness to jump right in and participate. Great job Sierra Vista.
Regrettably, we must also say goodbye to two key officers in the Old Guard Riders' Leadership. Steve Hill, Director, and Holly Thomas, Financial Officer, left the organization this week due to the extensive travel schedule associated with their personal business. We wish them all the best in all their endeavors. Their friendship will be keenly missed.
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