Thursday, December 18, 2014

On 13 December, close to 6000 wreaths were placed at Fort Snelling National Cemetery, and the State Veterans Cemetery - with your help as part of Wreaths Across America. A beautiful tribute to those that have served and sacrificed Getting ready for this day takes months of preparation. Thank you to Jim "Big Un" Petty for all his work at FSNC; and the Brainerd leadership team along with Wreaths for the Fallen at the State Veterans Cemetery. Thank you to our members who came out to help - it couldn’t be done with out the combined efforts of all.

We have a new Assistant Ride Captain in the Rochester Sector - Dave Lucas, and Tim Snyder moved from the Rochester Sector to Metro SW. Thank you both!

As you celebrate the upcoming holidays, please remember our Gold Star families, and our military who are not able to be home with family and friends this year.

Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year to all! Thank you for all you do.

Tuesday, December 16, 2014

Members,
Please see below the MN PG budget comparison from 2013 and 2014 budget years.  With donations and the Patriot Ride, we are able to help many other groups and organizations helping our Minnesota military and veterans. 
 
Thank you for all you do!
Jan - Dec 14
Jan - Dec 13
Ordinary Income/Expense
Income
Donations
19,806.03
22,371.45
Patriot Ride/Raffle
40,784.47
55,332.16
Donations - Other
195.00
0.00
Merchandise Sales
12,207.32
12,665.05
Total Income
72,992.82
90,368.66
Cost of Goods Sold
7,888.42
11,014.93
Gross Profit
65,104.40
79,353.73
Expense
Administrative Expenses
Insurance
1,976.98
2,260.24
Legal/Prof Fees
1,635.00
1,615.00
Misc.: Postage, PO Box, Supplies
619.34
649.77
Total Administrative Expenses
4,231.31
4,525.01
Program Services
Support of Vets & Families/HOTH
Dining Outs
0.00
1,050.00
Game Hunts
4,708.58
4,131.31
Gold Star Event/Heroes United
621.00
1,416.55
MN Veterans Homes
Events & Gifts
7,879.49
8,679.20
Total Support of Vets & Families/HOTH
13,209.07
15,277.06
Grants Made
AUSA Vessy Chapter
0.00
2,000.00
MN American Legion
0.00
700.00
Curtis Swenson Scholarship Fund
250.00
250.00
MMFF
15,000.00
15,000.00
Dear American Hero
250.00
0.00
Flags for MN Fallen Miliitary
0.00
5,000.00
MMAF
19,967.00
10,095.00
Other
250.00
250.00
Patriot Guard Riders, Inc.
2,000.00
2,000.00
Project Backpack
6,500.00
6,500.00
TTTT Scholarship Fund
7,750.00
5,250.00
Grants Made - Other
1,000.00
0.00
Total Grants Made
52,967.00
47,045.00
Insurance
1,752.40
0.00
Mission Expense
124.50
1,459.53
Postage & Delivery
0.00
43.75
Printing
47.46
0.00
Promotion
0.00
1,196.01
Website
680.47
845.37
Wreaths Across America
750.00
750.00
Total Program Services
69,530.90
66,616.72
Total Expense
73,762.21
71,141.73
Net Ordinary Income
-8,657.81
8,212.00
Other Income/Expense
Interest Earned
69.87
89.12
Net Income (-Loss)
-8,587.94
8,301.12
  

Thursday, December 11, 2014

Black Friday Meet & Greet Update

The Black Friday Meet & Greet was another success this year!  For those that haven't been able to attend in the past, this event is held every year and all are welcome!  Always held the Friday after Thanksgiving.
 
Two Stooges once again generously provided free food and 2-4-1 drink tickets to all who brought a new toy and a non-perishable item.

865 pounds of food items was collected for the Food Shelf!  Toys were collected for our military kids (see thank you below).

"The toys and gift cards were delivered and already distributed to the children of our militay kids. Without the support of groups like the Patroit Guard as well as all those that want to show their appreciation for our freedom Toys4MilitaryKids could not have supported these families of our military for the last 12 years. Thanks and God Bless you all.  Les Hanson"
Several have asked:  Ron Mackedanz, one of our very early members in the MN PG also still has copies of his book "Drafted" about his experience in Vietnam.  For those looking for a signed copy, they are available thru Kasota Lake Productions, PO Box 251, Kandiyohi, MN. 56251.  Send $19.98 to them and Ron will get you a signed copy - please let him know who to make the book out to and whether you were in the service or not, as he would like to personally acknowledge service whenever possible.  Non residents of MN need not pay the sales tax, in that case, the cost is $18.95.
Thank you for all you do!

Thursday, December 4, 2014

PGR Flag Holding Guidance

National PGR Flag Holding Guidance


There has been a lot of discussion around Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) flag holding protocol over the years and the Board of Directors (BoD) felt it would be prudent to provide PGR flag etiquette guidance for all of PGR when holding the flag in a Flag Line.

No member should be made to feel uncomfortable in any way regardless of how they are holding the flag so long as it is within the guide lines provided below.

The PGR is not a Military unit. We are a Civilian organization.

We represent everyday Americans, some Veterans and some are not, who wish to show grieving families the utmost respect for their sacrifice with the loss of their Hero family members.

The most important people at any service are the Family Members which we serve.
How they see PGR is our most important concern, not how we see ourselves.

So what is respect when holding the American flag?

Reviewing the U.S. Flag Code for civilians (Link to Document) there are three things we must not do:

1. Do not allow the flag to touch the ground
2. Do not hold the flag upside down or backward
3. Do not wear or drape the flag over oneself as if it is a garment


Yes, holding the flag upside down as a sign of immediate danger to life or limb is addressed in the Flag Code but as a sign of political distress is not and we are a non-political organization anyway.

How the flag is held by the majority of the Flag Line is the prerogative of the Ride Captain In Charge (RCIC). The Flag Code does not specify which hand to hold the flag in while standing in a static display and there are no Military wide regulations that state in which hand the flag should be held.

The Flag Code states the flag should be carried to the "marching right" or "marchers" right. Yes, if a unit of civilians is marching in a formation the flag should be carried by the bearer to the group's or marchers (plural) right.

The Flag Code also states flag pins 'should be" and flag patches "may be" worn on the individual's left nearest to the individual's heart. So one could say the flag belongs in the right hand as to the right of a group of one; or in the left hand nearest the individual's heart.

I have asked E-9's in all of the branches if either hand conveyed any disrespect to a military unit. Each assured it would not.

There is no guidance on holding the flag in a Flag Line. One can see many military units carrying the unit flag to the right of the group and the US flag is on the left shoulder of every American astronaut.

Holding the American flag at an angle or straight up: There is guidance that the flag should never be dipped "as in a salute" but in a static (holding the flag still) display there is no guidance. Generally holding the flag straight up and down makes it easier for others to pass but there is no guidance and there are literally millions of flags mounted on home flag poles at an angle.

From a Military perspective, it looks better to see everyone doing the same thing (standardization). So the RC may politely ask members to standardize flag holding. But if an individual cannot hold the flag in a particular hand or stand due to illness or injury... or just forgets, it is neither a sign of disrespect nor a notable offense. Just be glad they are in the Flag Line.

No one
, including the RCIC, is authorized to ask a Guest or PGR Member to leave a Mission because they held the flag in the wrong hand.

Finally, if Veteran desires to hold the flag in his left hand and salute with his right hand, that is his or her earned privilege. There are no regulations to state otherwise.

Bottom Line
  • No flags touching the ground.
  • No flags draped around a person.
  • No flags mounted upside down or backward.
  • No arguing about this or anything else on the Flag Line or during a mission.

     Any other flag guidance at a mission is a request for standardization, not a requirement.