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!

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.

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

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!

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.