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

We have had another busy year here in Minnesota.  Just to give you an idea, as of 10 December 2015, we have completed 402 missions in our state.  Comparison to other states in our region, Iowa averages 250 a year, Montana 120, Nebraska 100, South Dakota 108, and North Dakota & Wyoming average 15-20 annually.  We have been around the 400 mark for the past several years.  This could never be done without the dedication of our leaders and members, ensuring that Honor, Dignity and Respect is bestowed when we are asked.  You have set the bar high, and maintained the outstanding reputation we enjoy.  THANK YOU!!

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.

With the Thanksgiving holiday this week, we would like to extend our Thanksgiving wishes to everyone.  May you all eat too much and enjoy your time with family and friends.

 

As you go about your Thanksgiving traditions, please remember our military who are not able to be home this year to spend it with their loved ones. Remember our Gold Star and Blue Star families.

 

Winter is here! Just a reminder on attending missions - make sure you are dressed for the elements. Frostbite and other cold weather injuries can happen in a matter of minutes if not prepared - Safety of leaders & members is important - we need you and appreciate you, but we want you safe! Please take care of each other

 

Thank you for all you do!

Our Mission Statement:

"The Minnesota Patriot Guard is a 100% Volunteer, registered 501(c)3 non-profit Organization which ensures Honor, Dignity, and Respect at memorial services honoring Fallen Military Heroes, Honorably discharged Veterans, and line of duty Police, Firefighters, and First Responders."

Members of the Minnesota Patriot Guard are all members of the Patriot Guard Riders national organization and believe very strongly in its mission.

Minnesota Patriot Guard is a diverse group of individuals with one thing in common: we all have tremendous respect for those who risk their lives every day, whether on American soil or abroad, in securing our Nation's freedoms and liberties. We welcome those who do not ride motorcycles, those who are not veterans, and those who come from different states. We encourage those who share this respect to join us in support of all those that have served

We accomplish our mission strictly through legal and non-violent means.

MN Patriot Guard Mission statement: To attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family, Providing Honor, Dignity, and Respect.

Other missions undertaken by Minnesota Patriot Guard include:

• Funeral Missions As requested by families
• Welcome Home and Deployment Sendoff Missions
• Visits to VA Medical Centers and Minnesota State Veterans Homes

We would like to welcome Carl Bates as the new Brainerd Sector Ride Captain.  Carl has been an Assistant Ride Captain for many years.  Thank you Carl

Rick Johnson has stepped down as the Brainerd Sector Ride Captain, but remains as the Northern Region Senior Ride Captain.  Thank you for your years of serving as the Brainerd RC!

The Twin Cities Chapter of the Military Mama Network, the Minnesota Patriot Guard and the Military Salute Project have joined together to send cards to the 1,000 residents of Minnesota's five Veterans Homes to thank them for their service and hopefully brighten their day.

 

Your card or letter can include a note of thanks and appreciation for the Veteran's service. We hope to be able to give every resident at least one. Packs of 10 generic "Thank You" cards with envelopes are available at Target or Walmart for about $5.00.

 

You can also send home-made cards if you wish. Any quantity is acceptable. You can send 1 card, 5 cards, 10 cards, 50 cards.

 

Please mail cards to Lynn Soler of the Twin Cities Military Mama Network. Lynn will allocate and deliver the cards to the respective homes.

 

Lynn Soler

Cards For Veterans

8085 71st Street Court South

Cottage Grove, MN 55016

Members,

 

We are gearing up to help place Wreaths, as part of Wreaths Across America 2015.  We have had quite a few members ask how to donate for FSNC and the State Veterans Cemetery.  Below is information if you wish to make a donation to help with wreath costs:  Donations must be made no later than 1 December 2015 for this year.

 

If you wish to make a donation towards wreath(s) at FSNC, you can do so by using this link:   http://waa.convio.net/site/TR/NationalWreathsAcrossAmericaDay/General?team_id=8813&pg=team&fr_id=4304   

 

This is an account set up for the MN PG. Donations to this account will be delivered to FSNC earmarked for the MN PG and added to our annual donation.  This donation link will be used for the names on the list we have to ensure our list (currently112 names) (includes KIA's/Active Duty since 9-11, Beirut Bombing, and several veterans without family) have a wreath placed at their specific resting place. 

 

Unfortunately, the only method of donating is via credit card.  Any wreaths obtained over the names on our list will be placed in the area designated by FSNC.

 

If you wish to have a wreath placed for a specific by-name at FSNC, you will need to go to http://www.wreathsacrossamerica.org/ web page and you can do that using the link provided.

 

If you wish to donate towards wreath(s) at the State Veterans Cemetery near Camp Ripley, you can do so using their website link:  http://wreathsforthefallen.org/  You are able to make a general donation or by-name donation, and pay via credit card, pay pal or check.

 

We are not fund-raising for WAA, just providing information to those that wish to help.  Thank you for all you do!  We will be assisting in the placement of wreaths at both locations - more info will be coming in December!

 

Respectfully

 

Karla Richardson

Flag line Member

State Captain

Minnesota Patriot Guard, Patriot Guard Riders

Sometimes we are asked "What does the Patriot Guard Riders/Minnesota Patriot Guard Riders do?"  Please see below the MN PG mission statement, and National's vision statement - you can find both on the main page of the websites:

 

Minnesota Patriot Guard:

 

"The Minnesota Patriot Guard is a 100% Volunteer, registered 501(c)3 non-profit Organization which ensures Honor, Dignity, and Respect at memorial services honoring Fallen Military Heroes, Honorably discharged Veterans, and line of duty Police, Firefighters, and First Responders."

Members of the Minnesota Patriot Guard are all members of the Patriot Guard Riders national organization and believe very strongly in its mission.

Minnesota Patriot Guard is a diverse group of individuals with one thing in common: we all have tremendous respect for those who risk their lives every day, whether on American soil or abroad, in securing our Nation's freedoms and liberties. We welcome those who do not ride motorcycles, those who are not veterans, and those who come from different states. We encourage those who share this respect to join us in support of all those that have served

We accomplish our mission strictly through legal and non-violent means.

MN Patriot Guard Mission statement: To attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family, Providing Honor, Dignity, and Respect.

Other missions undertaken by Minnesota Patriot Guard include:

• Funeral Missions As requested by families
• Welcome Home and Deployment Sendoff Missions
• Visits to VA Medical Centers and Minnesota State Veterans Homes 

 

National:

 

"The Patriot Guard Riders is a 100% Volunteer, Federally registered 501(c)3 non-profit organization which ensures dignity and respect at memorial services honoring Fallen Military Heroes, First Responders and Honorably Discharged Veterans."

"Our Vision
The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America's freedom and security including Fallen Military Heroes, First Responders and Honorably Discharged Veterans. If you share this respect, please join us.

We don't care what you ride or if you ride, what your political views are, or whether you're a hawk or a dove. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn't matter where you're from or what your income is; you don't even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.

Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives:
1. Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.
2. Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.
We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.

To those of you who are currently serving and fighting for the freedoms of others, at home and abroad, please know that we are backing you. We honor and support you with every mission we carry out, and we are praying for a safe return home for all." 

Members....

 

We are offering up a possible source for a new flag pole that is available through one of our members.  The MN Patriot Guard store sold these a few years ago and they were popular.

 

The costs have gone up so instead of us buying them to resell to you we have agreed to help get the word out about them.  The MN Patriot Guard gets a commission for each on he sells through this email and Patriot Ride store.  You save some money and we get to raise a few dollars this way.

 

These are a newly designed pole similar to the one offered in our web store two years ago.  They are 4 sections 24" long each as opposed to 5 sections and when assembled are telescoping from 7ft to 9ft 8 in. tall. When dismantled the tube bundle fits nicely in most motorcycle hard saddle bags.

 

They are chrome plated and come with rubber end caps and flag attachment snaps.

 

$30.00 each unit plus shipping if mailed, (appx. $10.00 USPS in MN).  Contact Jim (Kilroy) Larson at 612-868-1192 or jmloghome@earthlink.net.  Please make sure you tell Jim you saw this on the MN Patriot Guard email and he will donate $5 to us when you pay for it!

The Twin Cities Chapter of the Military Mama Network, the Minnesota Patriot Guard and the Military Salute Project invite you to join us in sending cards to the nearly 1,000 residents of Minnesota's five Veterans Homes to thank them for their service and hopefully brighten their day. Individuals, groups and organizations nationwide are encouraged to participate.

 

The Minneapolis Veterans Home has approx 525 residents, the Hastings Veterans Home approx 200 residents, the Silver Bay Veterans Home approx 90 residents, the Fergus Falls Veterans Home approx 100 residents and the Luverne Veterans Home approx 85 residents.

Your card or letter can include a note of thanks and appreciation for the Veteran's service. We hope to be able to give every resident at least one. Packs of 10 generic "Thank You" cards with envelopes are available at Target or Walmart for about $5.00.

 

Please mail cards for the Minneapolis Veterans Home and/or the Hastings Veterans Home and/or the Fergus Falls Veterans Home to Lynn Soler, the Twin Cities Military Mama Network Chair. Lynn will allocate and deliver the cards in bulk to the respective homes. If you wish to send a card to all three homes, please mail them in separate envelopes. Print MPLS in the lower left corner of the front of one envelope, print HAST in the lower left corner of the front of the second envelope, and print FERG in the lower left corner of the front of the third envelope.

Lynn Soler

Cards For Veterans

8085 71st Street Court South

Cottage Grove, MN 55016

 

Cards and letters for the Silver Bay and Luverne can be mailed directly to each home.

Silver Bay Veterans Home

Attn: Ward Wallin

45 Banks Blvd

Silver Bay, MN 55614

 

The Luverne home requests that cards are sent in early November for Veterans Day.

Luverne Veterans Home

Attn: Duane Mabon

P.O. Box 539

Luverne, MN 56156

 

Please note: Send cards and letters ONLY. Because of dietary restrictions and potential allergies, do not send any food items.

 

Please share. Thank you!

 

Respectfully,

Jeff Seeber, Director

Military Salute Project

Woodbury, MN

We would like to announce some leadership changes in the Southern Region.  Joel, the Albert Lea Ride Captain and Southern Region Senior Ride Captain has relocated to Wisconsin. 

 

Joel - thank you for everything, and your many years dedicated to the mission of the MN PG/PGR!  Wisconsin is gaining a great asset - we wish you all the very best!

 

Paul Ramsbey, Worthington Ride Captain, accepted the position of Southern Region Senior Ride Captain.  After votes by the leadership in the Southern Region, he became the SRC for the Southern Region effective 1 June.  Paul brings a wealth of knowledge to the position and the Southern Region will remain in good hands. 

 

Richard Clark accepted the position of Ride Captain for the Albert Lea sector - thank you Richard!  Chuck Crabtree also came on as an Assistant Ride Captain in Albert Lea. 

 

Thank you to both of these gentlemen for their willingness to step into leadership!

 

Thank you to all for everything you do!  We can't do our mission without the leaders and members that make it all happen.

Members - just wanted to make a friendly reminder to everyone! 

 

There are a lot of upset people right now with our Government, flag-stomping, disrespect to the flag or showing lack of respect to the flag and the National Anthem, etc. - on both sides of the issue.  Protests are going on around the state and the nation.

 

If you wish to attend, please leave the MN PG/PGR gear/identification at home and attend as a private citizen.  The PGR/MN PG are not a protest or a counter-protest group, and we cannot participate in political events/issues. 

 

You are certainly encouraged to participate on your own if you wish - it's one of the freedoms that our military served for.  But leave the gear at home.  We cannot jeopardize our 501c3, our relationship with the military, and the much respected image of the organization that you have helped to create.

 

Thank you for all you do!

Members....  

 

Listed below are the volunteer members who make up the Board of Directors for the MN Patriot Guard.  This information can also be found on our web site www.mnpatriotguard.org.

 

BOD: Karla Richardson - Verndale, MN 

BOD: Craig Ugland - Rochester, MN

BOD: Mark Lea - Elk River, MN

BOD: Bob Gindorff - White Bear Lake, MN

BOD: Dick Kelso - New Hope, MN

 

At Large Members

BOD: Doug Bley - Rogers, MN (2016)

BOD: Greg Yung - Apple Valley, MN (2016)

BOD: Mike O'Loughlin - Maple Lake, MN (2017)

BOD: Dave Winkler - Newport, MN (2017)

 

The listed above can be reached by emailing directors@mnpatriotguard.org. 

 

MN Patriot Guard President -Doug Bley

MN Patriot Guard Vice President - Mark Lea

MN Patriot Guard Treasurer - Bob Gindorff

MN Patriot Guard Secretary - Dick Kelso

 

Thanks for all you do!!!

Now that riding season and warmer weather have finally arrived, it's a good time to go over a few things.

We are not about motorcycles! We have many members who do not ride and we are grateful for their attendance at our missions and events. It doesn't matter HOW you get to a Patriot Guard mission or event - what is important is that you are there to pay honor, dignity, and respect to someone serving or have served our great nation; and that you arrive safely there and home again.

As the temps rise, we all need to be thinking about sunburn, heat stroke, heat exhaustion and all the other things that come with warm weather. Please take care of yourself and watch out for each other. We have faithful members who would rather pass out on the flag line than to step aside to cool off - definitely not what we want!  Drink plenty of water to hydrate before and during the Mission. 

 

We have had an extremely busy April for missions.  Thank you to all who have stepped up and are willing to help make sure missions get done!  If you are interested in helping run a honor mission on the ground, or to come into leadership - talk to your Ride Captain!  Your help is how we have been able to honor all the requests we have received.

 

Thank you for all you do!

We would like to welcome the following patriots to the leadership roles:

 

Jim Nelson - stepped up from ARC to be the Rochester RC

Glenn Zimmer - St Cloud ARC

Jon Knutson - Alexandria ARC

John "Vinnie" Fitch - St Cloud ARC

 

We can't do our mission without those willing to step into leadership, or just help run a mission.  Thank you for these 4 who are willing to make sure missions are conducted, hero's are honored, and families given a small measure of comfort during a very difficult time.

 

Thank you for all you do!

MN PG Assistant State Captain

Fellow Members, I was recently asked if I would be willing to fill the Assistant State Captain position upon Tim Leonhardt's resignation. I gave this new position much thought and consideration, including discussions with former and current leadership at both the State and National level. After discussing the new responsibilities with my family, I decided to accept this nomination. The Leadership Advisory Committee and Board of Directors voted to accept me into this role and I am honored to accept this mission oriented role in the MN Patriot Guard. I have been an active member of the MN Patriot Guard since May 2006. I remember my first mission well, it was in Welcome, MN on June 3, 2006 for USMC Robert Posivio III. That mission struck a nerve with me and I've been involved with the MN PG ever since. Since that hot day in Welcome, I have attended missions in MN, WI, IA and Texas. I was not able to serve in the military due to a disability, but I have the greatest of appreciation for the sacrifices our military and their families make for our Nation. I was asked to be the Rochester Sector Ride Captain in June 2006 and Southern MN Senior Ride Caption in Sept 2007. With the new role of Assistant State Captain, I will be stepping down as Rochester Sector Ride Captain as soon as the new RC is approved. I will be stepping down as Senior Ride Captain-at-Large as well, although I will still sit on Missions Team and the Board of Directors. I have had the honor and privilege to have RCIC'd and participated in countless KIA, Active Duty, LEO Line Of Duty and Veteran Missions, WWII and Vietnam Re-Patriations, Send-Offs, Welcome Homes, and Gold Star Family events. This experience will continue to serve me well to assist RC's throughout the state as mission questions and logistics arise. I will also continue to participate with the Tribute To The Troops, the POW/MIA Riders of MN and Beyond The Yellow Ribbon SEMN. All this experience has been and will continue to serve two important purposes, assist and enable our members to attend missions, and ensure the proper honor, dignity and respect is shown to our heroes. I would also like to take a moment to thank Tim Leonhardt for his unwavering support of our mission and ensuring that our mission has carried on with the highest respect it requires and deserves. Tim has been a huge asset to the MN PG, sacrificing his time, work and family for this organization, for which we cannot repay him except to say Thank You Tim, Mission Accomplished. Thank you all for doing the right thing.

Craig Ugland Rochester Sector Ride Captain Senior Ride Captain At Large Member - Board Of Directors

2015 Patriot Ride Motorcycle Raffle Tickets Are Ready to Sell!   It's that time of year once again and we need your Help! The 2015 Patriot Ride Motorcycle Raffle Tickets are printed and available for Sale.  We would like to invite members of the Minnesota Patriot Guard to help sell Raffle Tickets for the 2015 Patriot Ride Event.  With the change of venue this year from the Ham Lake Park to Key Air at the Anoka County Airport, we know this year's Patriot Ride will be an Event like no other in Minnesota coming June 20, 2015.   We are joining forces this year with the Tribute To The Troops in presenting the Patriot Ride sponsored by our great friends from Dennis Kirk.  Instead of competing with two motorcycle raffles we are all focused on one!  We are still two organizations with special purposes but joined together to help this ride become the most successful ever. As you know a large portion of the funds raised from the Patriot Ride come from the Motorcycle Raffle Ticket sales.   The proceeds from these Raffle Ticket sales (benefiting the MN Patriot Guard, the MN Chapter of the Tribute To The Troops, and the Minnesotans' Military Appreciation Fund) directly benefit our Veterans, active Military personnel and Family members of our Military.  Please help us make this year the year we ran out of Raffle Tickets.   We are sharing some information regarding the number of Raffle Tickets printed this year which may be used to help promote the sale of tickets: We have printed a limit of 5000 Raffle Tickets.   We hope this information is useful in encouraging the public to purchase tickets.   Chances of winning the 2015 Harley Davidson Road Glide or $15,000 cash (winners choice) are 1 in 5000.  Those are pretty good odds! Here are some details regarding the Patriot Ride and Raffle Tickets:    10th Annual Patriot Ride Date: Saturday, June 20, 2015 Event Location: Key Air / Anoka County Airport 9877 North Airport Rd. NE Blaine, MN.  55449 Raffle Tickets: $20 each, must be 18 or older to enter and win - Need not be present to win Prize: 2015 HD Road Glide or $15,000 cash If you are interested in selling Raffle Tickets this year,  please contact Gail Steiner at Dennis Kirk, Inc., by emailing: gsteiner@denniskirk.com.  Please include your name, address phone number, and the number of Raffle tickets you would like to receive.   Raffle Ticket booklets come in groups of 10 each.    We will send you as many booklets as you would like to sell. Dennis Kirk will provide a pre-paid UPS Shipping label,  along with an envelope for you to return the sold ticket stubs and the $ collected.   Please plan to return the Ticket stubs and funds collected to Dennis Kirk, Inc., no later than Monday,  June 15.    If people want to write checks they should be made out the MN Patriot Guard (the MN Patriot Guard holds the raffle ticket license but funds are divided between all groups). This is the 10th Annual Patriot Ride.  This means it has been a decade of memories, and of giving back to those that have given to us.  Please help us reach our goal: 5000 TICKETS SOLD!! Please check out the full event at www.thepatriotride.org for more information and to pre-register.

Doug Bley President, MN Patriot Guard Former, Minnesota State Captain

New President of MN Patriot Guard

Happy winter all! I was recently asked if I would be willing to serve as President of the MN Patriot Guard again.  This position is separate from the most important role of being involved in the Missions that we cover so well here in Minnesota.   The role of the President is really to make sure the office is in order.  Bills paid, insurance in place, donations considered and qualified by the Board of Directors before granting, web site running, store operations, taxes filed, and non-profit status kept in good standing.  I am not on the Board of Directors so do not have a vote on anything but am part of making sure all the rules are followed. The Leadership Team and Board of Directors voted to accept me in this role and I am honored to play this small part in what we do. A Ride Captain asked me a very good question before he voted.  I stepped down a few years ago because I was burned out from all the Missions and the requirements as President.  He asked what had changed that I was willing to do this.  This role is not nearly as demanding as a Missions role and can be done at night and on weekends.  I have the time and the love of the MN Patriot Guard and its Mission remains.  If I can help I'd like to. My first Mission was July 3, 2006, in Ladysmith, WI.  I will never forget the day and the change it brought to my life.  It is Mission First, Mission Last.  It's what we do and all we do.  The role of President is small in comparison to the people who can go to Missions when many of us can't because of work and family.  Thank you members for being there. I want to give my support and appreciation to State Captain Karla Richardson and the Missions Leadership team for doing a great job in these changing times.  When I met Karla for the first time on a snowy day in Frazee I knew she would do a great job. I want to say "Thank You" to Tim Leonhardt.  Tim has done more for this organization than any of us could know or appreciate.  So many things in the background on top of stepping into roles he didn't want but somebody had to at the time.  I have ridden many miles with the Drifter and look forward to doing that again with him.  He has had my back and he is my brother. We are a family.  We have had our differences.  We have mended those differences.  We have moved on.  We do this because we love what the Mission stands for. See you on the flag line....

Doug Bley President, MN Patriot Guard Former Minnesota State Captain

I have had the great honor to be a part of the leadership of the Minnesota Patriot Guard for many years, I have been in almost all the of the leadership positions stepping in and out as needed. I have had the privilege to be present and show honor to the families and community at missions that were gut wrenching when I saw the pain of a family losing a loved one while serving to protect my freedom, Your silent flag line is deafening with the sound of Honor, Dignity, and Respect. I've been to welcome home missions that made my heart of hearts soar seeing our warriors rejoining their family's after being deployed. I had the chance of a lifetime meeting and working with some wonderful people, some that I consider real patriots, people that understand what our warriors have sacrificed for our freedoms, I have the honor of saying I know these people. I currently hold the two positions of Minnesota Patriot Guard President and Minnesota Patriot Guard Assistant State Captain. I have had the honor to help guide and help grow the MN PGR from 300 people when I joined, to over 5000 today. I am honored to have been a part of building an organization that is respected for what we quietly do in Military Branches, Law Enforcement, First Responder, and Government organizations. The positions and roles I held weren't easy at times, but I always tried to stand up for what was the right thing to do and what was best for the organization as a whole. I took on interim positions that I didn't want, but they needed to be filled, it was an honor to do so. Alas, after 8 years of leadership it is time for me to step aside and let the next wave of patriots take the reins of the great Minnesota Patriot Guard organization. None of the positions I have will be left empty, I will be retaining the positions until they are occupied. The MN Patriot Guard Board of Directors and I are following the MN PG process to fill my current position of Minnesota Patriot Guard President. Karla along with the Senior Ride Captains are working with the Leadership Advisory Committee following the MN PG process to fill the Minnesota Patriot Guard Assistant State Captain position. Announcements on both of these positions are forthcoming.   I want to take this opportunity to thank every Patriot Guard Rider for the support over the years in making what we do possible. I am thankful and proud to have been able to meet so many good people and to have had the opportunity to be a small part of something I believe has changed the way our nation's people view and honor our warriors. I am proud to be called a Patriot Guard Rider because of what you all do.

Thank You, Tim Leonhardt (Drifter)

We would like to welcome and thank Mike VanRavenhorst as an ARC for the Metro SE Sector.  Mike is also the RC for the Mankato Sector.

We would also like to wish each of you a happy, healthy New Year in 2015!  Thank you for all you do!