| 325th Quartermaster Battalion Deployment Belton, Mo. |
| Photos by Eric Rossiter |
 | |  | |  | |  | |  |
| Click on photo for full-size image |
By Eric Rossiter
The Patriot Guard Riders were at the Belton
High School by invitation to attend the 325th
Quartermaster Battalion’s Deployment
ceremony. The PGR were to be presented with
a certificate of appreciation for all that we do
for the troops deploying from and returning to
the Reserve Center there. The 325th was
deploying the next day at 0400 hours, which is
4 a.m. for you non-military types. The Patriot
Guard Riders were going to provide escort
services the following morning for the buses
that the troops would be taking up to KCI.
It was a gorgeous spring day on April 5, 2008
as the PGR began arriving at noon to start
erecting the Flag Line. We have it down to a
science here in Missouri. Several of our
members have fabricated 1-½ ft lengths of
rebar that we drive into the ground, and then
slip our flag poles, which are 8 ft conduit, down
over them. You can put up a fairly good-sized
Flag Line fairly quickly this way with about 5
people. In no time at all we had a sea of
almost 200 American Flags flying in the breeze
and awash in color.
The Tribute Trailer was on-site and its
Service Flags were flapping in the wind,
providing a visual and audio presentation for
the senses. PGR Ride Captain Kurt “Pyro”
Eckard, his son Matt “Hoppi” Eckard, and Jack
“Sawman” Dodd built the Tribute Trailer for this
year’s Snake Saturday parade, but they did
such an awesome job the Tribute Trailer is in
high demand for events all over the state.
Shortly after 1 p.m. we all took our seats in
the Auditorium for the ceremony. There was a
representative of The City of Belton on hand
along with the Mayor of Raymore, who is a
Veteran himself. Both of these gentlemen
spoke at length to the assembled crowd,
extolling the virtues of the American fighting
man, and relaying personal experiences of
military service. Each of the Officers in the
325th spoke to their troops and their families
letting them know how much everyone
appreciates their service and the sacrifices
that they and their families are making. The
General then presented each member of the
325th with a challenge coin to present to their
families, and one for the family to present to
the deploying soldier. There were several
promotions within the ranks of the 325th that
were handed out as the ceremony came to a
close.
The PGR members struck the Flag Line and
several of us went over to the Reserve Center
and set our rebar ahead of time, in preparation
for setting a Flag Line at O-Dark Thirty the
following morning. In case you’ve never tried,
driving rebar by flashlight is a lesson in futility.
Three AM came too quickly Sunday morning
as we began staging at Gail’s Harley
Davidson. We had 30 motorcycles and 5
cages assembled to escort the 325th to KCI.
At approximately 3:30 AM the Ride Captain for
this mission Brad Byam gave the pre-mission
briefing and thanked everyone for turning out
to show the troops how much we appreciate
everything they do. Spirits were high and our
group was filled with pride and patriotism at
being allowed to honor these deploying troops.
At 3:50 a.m. we departed for the Reserve
Center.
The buses were already loaded when the
Patriot Guard rode into the parking lot and
assumed position for the impending run up
north. Our Flag Line was gorgeous in the
wind, the Red, White and Blue shimmering and
waving in the cold morning. Bob “Fireplug”
Howard, his wife Bunny, and Alan “AJ” Jacobs
had staged at 2:30 AM at the Reserve Center
and had erected that mornings Flag Line
before staging at Gail’s. It wasn’t long before
we received the command to fire up our iron
steeds, and soon the dark early morning sky
was filled with the rumble that means only one
thing. The Patriot Guard has come to town.
We rolled out of the Belton Reserve Center
and headed up to the airport. There were
flashbulbs popping as our escort line rolled
slowly out of the parking lot and onto the
street. The flashbulbs reflecting off of the
chrome and paint along with the flashing blue
and red lights of our Law Enforcement escort
out of town added to the surreal images that
were assaulting my senses. I’m always wound
tight on PGR missions worrying about riders,
plans, directions, you name it.
The ride to KCI was uneventful and to my
knowledge everyone arrived safely. Our Road
Guards had kept our path clear and we
motored on up to the airport in the chilly
morning air. Many of riders had their big flags
mounted and unfurled. I always get a rush
watching a line of “Big Flag” bikes on the road
during a Patriot Guard event. 30 bikes,
several cages and two great big busses made
their way up US 71. As early as it was traffic
was light but those that were out and about
and happened to see our merry parade stared
in wonder as we went by. People’s heads are
generally turned our direction when they come
into view because they can hear us coming
long before they see us.
We rolled into the terminal while the KCI
Security blocked traffic. We backed the bikes
up the curb and proceeded to Stand for the
troops as they filed off the bus, grabbed their
stuff and slowly made their way into the
terminal building. All of us shook hands and
slapped backs and thanked the men and
women in uniform that filed past us and
through our line. I was told that the troops had
planned on trying to get some additional shut-
eye on the hour ride up to the airport but they
were so excited by the Patriot Guard Riders
that they stayed awake enjoying their escort
instead. As they walked by I heard “awesome,”
“impressive,” “unforgettable” used to describe
what they thought and felt about what they had
just seen. I handed out my PGR business
cards to many of the soldiers and family
members. I let them know they were part of
the family now and if they needed anything to
let us know and the PGR would do what it
could to fulfill any requests. As the last of the
soldiers had entered the airport we once again
mounted our iron steeds and once again that
rumble filled the air. That rumble that means
the Patriot Guard Riders have come to town.
Listen for the rumble…
The Patriot Guard Riders were at the Belton
High School by invitation to attend the 325th
Quartermaster Battalion’s Deployment
ceremony. The PGR were to be presented with
a certificate of appreciation for all that we do
for the troops deploying from and returning to
the Reserve Center there. The 325th was
deploying the next day at 0400 hours, which is
4 a.m. for you non-military types. The Patriot
Guard Riders were going to provide escort
services the following morning for the buses
that the troops would be taking up to KCI.
It was a gorgeous spring day on April 5, 2008
as the PGR began arriving at noon to start
erecting the Flag Line. We have it down to a
science here in Missouri. Several of our
members have fabricated 1-½ ft lengths of
rebar that we drive into the ground, and then
slip our flag poles, which are 8 ft conduit, down
over them. You can put up a fairly good-sized
Flag Line fairly quickly this way with about 5
people. In no time at all we had a sea of
almost 200 American Flags flying in the breeze
and awash in color.
The Tribute Trailer was on-site and its
Service Flags were flapping in the wind,
providing a visual and audio presentation for
the senses. PGR Ride Captain Kurt “Pyro”
Eckard, his son Matt “Hoppi” Eckard, and Jack
“Sawman” Dodd built the Tribute Trailer for this
year’s Snake Saturday parade, but they did
such an awesome job the Tribute Trailer is in
high demand for events all over the state.
Shortly after 1 p.m. we all took our seats in
the Auditorium for the ceremony. There was a
representative of The City of Belton on hand
along with the Mayor of Raymore, who is a
Veteran himself. Both of these gentlemen
spoke at length to the assembled crowd,
extolling the virtues of the American fighting
man, and relaying personal experiences of
military service. Each of the Officers in the
325th spoke to their troops and their families
letting them know how much everyone
appreciates their service and the sacrifices
that they and their families are making. The
General then presented each member of the
325th with a challenge coin to present to their
families, and one for the family to present to
the deploying soldier. There were several
promotions within the ranks of the 325th that
were handed out as the ceremony came to a
close.
The PGR members struck the Flag Line and
several of us went over to the Reserve Center
and set our rebar ahead of time, in preparation
for setting a Flag Line at O-Dark Thirty the
following morning. In case you’ve never tried,
driving rebar by flashlight is a lesson in futility.
Three AM came too quickly Sunday morning
as we began staging at Gail’s Harley
Davidson. We had 30 motorcycles and 5
cages assembled to escort the 325th to KCI.
At approximately 3:30 AM the Ride Captain for
this mission Brad Byam gave the pre-mission
briefing and thanked everyone for turning out
to show the troops how much we appreciate
everything they do. Spirits were high and our
group was filled with pride and patriotism at
being allowed to honor these deploying troops.
At 3:50 a.m. we departed for the Reserve
Center.
The buses were already loaded when the
Patriot Guard rode into the parking lot and
assumed position for the impending run up
north. Our Flag Line was gorgeous in the
wind, the Red, White and Blue shimmering and
waving in the cold morning. Bob “Fireplug”
Howard, his wife Bunny, and Alan “AJ” Jacobs
had staged at 2:30 AM at the Reserve Center
and had erected that mornings Flag Line
before staging at Gail’s. It wasn’t long before
we received the command to fire up our iron
steeds, and soon the dark early morning sky
was filled with the rumble that means only one
thing. The Patriot Guard has come to town.
We rolled out of the Belton Reserve Center
and headed up to the airport. There were
flashbulbs popping as our escort line rolled
slowly out of the parking lot and onto the
street. The flashbulbs reflecting off of the
chrome and paint along with the flashing blue
and red lights of our Law Enforcement escort
out of town added to the surreal images that
were assaulting my senses. I’m always wound
tight on PGR missions worrying about riders,
plans, directions, you name it.
The ride to KCI was uneventful and to my
knowledge everyone arrived safely. Our Road
Guards had kept our path clear and we
motored on up to the airport in the chilly
morning air. Many of riders had their big flags
mounted and unfurled. I always get a rush
watching a line of “Big Flag” bikes on the road
during a Patriot Guard event. 30 bikes,
several cages and two great big busses made
their way up US 71. As early as it was traffic
was light but those that were out and about
and happened to see our merry parade stared
in wonder as we went by. People’s heads are
generally turned our direction when they come
into view because they can hear us coming
long before they see us.
We rolled into the terminal while the KCI
Security blocked traffic. We backed the bikes
up the curb and proceeded to Stand for the
troops as they filed off the bus, grabbed their
stuff and slowly made their way into the
terminal building. All of us shook hands and
slapped backs and thanked the men and
women in uniform that filed past us and
through our line. I was told that the troops had
planned on trying to get some additional shut-
eye on the hour ride up to the airport but they
were so excited by the Patriot Guard Riders
that they stayed awake enjoying their escort
instead. As they walked by I heard “awesome,”
“impressive,” “unforgettable” used to describe
what they thought and felt about what they had
just seen. I handed out my PGR business
cards to many of the soldiers and family
members. I let them know they were part of
the family now and if they needed anything to
let us know and the PGR would do what it
could to fulfill any requests. As the last of the
soldiers had entered the airport we once again
mounted our iron steeds and once again that
rumble filled the air. That rumble that means
the Patriot Guard Riders have come to town.
Listen for the rumble…