As time seems to be slipping by at an ever-increasing pace, the Christmas Season is approaching very quickly. My Christmas wish for all of you is that you are able to slow down the hectic pace of your lives for a little while, in order to be able to enjoy your families, getting together with friends, and simply enjoying those special moments that come only once in a lifetime.
Over the past month or two, the Patriot Guard Riders have, through our Help On The Homefront, been able to play Santa in a very special way. Our HOTH Director, the inimitable “Gunny”, has performed several miracles in gathering support, so that we have been able to help several Gold Star wives with home construction issues. Without our own personal “Santa”, these military survivors might have had far less than a Happy Christmas, so if you see “Gunny”, take a moment to tell him “Thanks” !
Recently, we were also able to participate in a gift collection ride and delivery of many gifts to the Retsil Soldiers Home in Port Orchard, so that these veterans of past military service to their country would be able to select gifts from the “store” that was set up and being staffed by the American Legion Ladies Auxillary, and have these gifts sent to friends and family. This was an enjoyable and heartwarming experience for all of us, and to know that these veterans would have the ability to participate more fully in the holiday celebration was a gift to us that cannot be purchased anywhere.
As we go through the truly cold season, I would like to continue to caution you all to put safety at the top of your list whenever you are on a mission, and in fact, all the time, because we want to see each and every one of you at future missions. And be constantly conscious of our old enemies, black ice, frost, freezing fog, and sand in the corners. Stay warm, and Ride Safe !
Please visit the state leadership page on occasion, as there are some changes in the leadership structure coming around the corner. We will also be adding more special events to that page as folks find out how to submit them. If you are interested in having your special event posted, simply send it to me, in text form only, as I have no way of cutting and pasting flyers, bulletins or the like, and with the basic information including a Person of Contact, phone number, email addresses, and the date(s) of the event. It will stay posted until after it has occurred. We do not post any political events, or events that would stray outside the boundaries of family participation. Thanks for your understanding.
In closing for this post, I would like to wish each and every one of you, and your friends and families, a Very Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year !
Jim “BikerVet” Dickson, State Captain