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