Veteran Affairs

MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_MARCH 28, 2013

Welcome Home and Easter Last Saturday I rode up to the Hillsboro County Veterans Museum and Park to attend their ‘Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day event.’ As with any type of military ceremony, there were the usual parts to show honor and respect. They included The National Anthem, Color Guard, Rifle Detail, Pledge of Allegiance and the lonely sound of a bagpiper, speeches and the reading of the Governor’s Proclamation declaring the 30th day of March to be known as ‘Welcome Home Vietnam Veterans Day.’   Something was missing and I finally realized it was the presence of politicians. None…
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Military & Motorcycles_March 15, 2013

It’s Time I have watched our government operate closely for the last 20-25 years. I have made up my mind ‘It’s Time’ we reinstate the military draft. Yes folks I said the draft.   Now before about half of you get yourselves into a tizzy or start packing to go to Canada or somewhere else allow me to explain why I think it’s important.   It seems our elected leaders in Washington have become experts on all things military, law enforcement or anything to do with weapons. Where did they obtain their vast knowledge of those subjects? Seventy-five percent of…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_MARCH 1, 2013

Respect for the American Flag A concerned citizen contacted the North River News Office and wanted me to know there were folks who did not light their American Flags at night in a certain retirement community. She also said that she had contacted someone from the VFW (Veterans of Foreign Wars) regarding the rule (Flag Laws and Customs) which says in part “§174. Time and occasions for display – “However, when a patriotic effect is desired, the flag may be displayed twenty-four hours a day if properly illuminated during the hours of darkness.”   She was advised the Rule had recently…
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_FEBRUARY 22, 2013

I Did Build It I am almost 66 years old. I grew up here in Manatee County and “I did build my own life” through the teachings of God, my parents, neighbors, teachers, and supervisors over the years. I don’t need Washington to tell how to be a better person by my helping everyone else in the United States. I have hunted and owned weapons for the vast majority of my life, that doesn’t make me a bad person. However, it does make me feel safer insomuch I can protect myself and my family and others around me should the…
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Military & Motorcycles_February 15, 2013

Welcome Home Soldier Monday was a day long awaited by family members of Robert W. Scott who has been missing since December 1, 1950. Robert was assigned to the 31st Regimental Combat Team - Heavy Mortar Company who were engaged along the eastern banks of the Chosin Reservoir near Sinhung-ri, South Hamgyong Province, in North Korea against a vastly superior number of enemy forces. On December 1, 1950, Robert was reported MIA (Missing in Action) along with others in his unit. Officially, on the 31 of December, 1953 Robert was declared dead by the DOA (Department of Army) however, he was still…
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HURLBURT SPECIAL FORCES AIR COMMANDOS MARCH TO TAMPA

Fifteen Hurlburt Special Forces Air Commandos are marching 455 miles this week from Hurlburt Field to MacDill in Tampa to raise awareness and raise money for the Special Warriors Foundation to assist the families and children of Fallen Heroes and to help with funding and college expenses for the children of the Fallen. They are requesting that the Patriot Guard Riders assist in escorting them to MacDill Air force Base in Tampa. For more info: http://destin-emeraldcoast.com/2013/01/hurlburts-air-commandos-ready-to-ruck-to-tampa/ ****Flag bikes are strongly encouraged to participate**** Date: Friday, February 8 Staging:  1115 hrs. Corner of W. Bay Ave. and Bayshore Blvd in Tampa Map: …
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Military & Motorcycles_January 18, 2013

Check Books and Budgets A couple of days ago I watched my wife go through banks statements and our checkbook to make sure they were in agreement and balanced. As a young married couple my wife was more than happy to explain the ‘facts of life’ to me regarding a budget and balancing check books. Thankfully, I understood the process and we have a couple of dollars to the good.   If you’re wondering where this is going, here it is. The Federal Budget, which has not been passed in over three years—even though it is mandated by law.  …
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES_JANUARY 11, 2013

In the Coming Weeks In the coming weeks there will be entertainment for all ages at the Manatee County Fair. Having been an Associate Fair Director for a few years, I had the opportunity to deal with the stage entertainment, which the fair has presented. On January, the 18 a very well known singer who has come out of retirement at the request of his fans will be center stage at 8 PM. This man is known to the world as Don Williams the ‘Gentle Giant’ (don-williams.com) will give us a show to remember for years to come. Don had been…
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Wreaths Across America

Wreaths Across America - All gave some. Some gave all.
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MILITARY & MOTORCYCLES – JANUARY 3, 2013

Second Amendment First of all, I hope everyone had a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. On December 15, 1791, ten amendments to the Constitution of the United States were ratified under what is known as the ‘Bill of Rights.’ I am not a scholar by any means or stretch of the imagination, however I know what the ‘Bill of Rights’ says. Not being a lawyer I don’t try to make it any different than the original intent in which it was written by men much more intelligent than me two hundred plus years ago. Amendment II states, “A…
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Military & Motorcycles – December 14, 2013

  Last week I mentioned the upcoming “Wreaths Across America” Project and the laying of wreaths at Sarasota National Cemetery. Again, if you have never been to the cemetery you owe it to yourself to take time to visit even if you are not a veteran.   For those who are motorcyclists the Patriot Guard Riders will be escorting a Wal-Mart semi, which will contain the 5,000 plus wreaths needed for each headstone at the cemetery.   For those who may be interested here is the information on the escort.   Date and Time: December 15 – Staging 7:30 AM…
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Military & Motorcycles – December 7, 2012

Sarasota National Cemetery at CHRISTmas   Looking back at the development of the Sarasota National Cemetery I find it hard to believe it has come so far in such a short period of time. I have watched the now hallowed ground go from pasture land to that of one of the top Veterans Administration Cemeteries in the country. For those of you who may never have been to the cemetery it is located at 9810 State Road 72 (Clark Road), Sarasota. As a Patriot Guard Riders (http://www.patriotguard.org/) I have attend numerous committal services at the Sarasota cemetery as well as…
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Short History of Wreaths Across America

Morrill Worcester, owner of Worcester Wreath Company of Harrington, Maine, was a 12 year old paper boy for the Bangor Daily News when he won a trip to Washington D.C. His first trip to our nation’s capital was one he would never forget, and Arlington National Cemetery made an especially indelible impression on him. This experience followed him throughout his life and successful career in business, reminding him that his good fortune was due, in large part, to the values of this nation and the Veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice for their Country. In 1992, Worcester Wreath found themselves…
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Military & Motorcycles – November 21, 2012

A Country Divided Even after the worse election in this country’s history, we are still at odds with each other through party lines.  A person would think we as a nation could get along enough to be able to do the bidding of the voter’s who are the real bosses of those in Washington, the state, counties and cities. Personally, I am a little upset that grown men and women seem unable to respond to their voter base. Take a deep breath and get it together for the sake of this country. There is always a little give and take…
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Military & Motorcycles November 16, 2012

  What does SEAL Team 8, a Navy Four Star Admiral, an Army Colonel, a MOH, a parade and hundreds of tiny legs have in common? And the answer is simple, absolutely the best Veterans Day Weekend for me ever.   As I mentioned last week I was headed to Fort Pierce to spend a couple of days with the members of Navy SEAL Team 8 who were giving demonstrations at the National Navy UDT-SEAL Museum for ’Muster XXVII.’   If you ever want to learn more about the Navy’s most elite teams the SEAL Museum is the place to…
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Terry Longpre … Patriotism

Patriotism Thursday, November 1, I rode to Derby Lane Greyhound Track not to bet on the dogs but to take time to honor those who served in Vietnam and lost their lives doing so. I met with men and women who either had served in Vietnam or had family members who had. Our mission for the day was to escort the Vietnam Traveling Memorial Wall over 42 miles of Pinellas County roads during which time we passed twelve schools where students were waiting for our arrival, waving, yelling with small American flags in hand. Along our route, we passed folks…
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