Dad attends Gathering of the Guard - Texas

September 8-11, 2010
Colorado, USA

Wichita Falls, TX -- September 8th: As we were riding north out of Raton, NM toward home after our Texas State HOG Rally Road Trip, Dad and his friends were trying to make up their minds whether to ride south to Killeen, TX (near Fort Hood) to the Gathering of the Guard (Patriot Guard Riders). The forecast was for heavy rain, some of the area was already flooding. I was relieved to hear that Dad (Ted), Tex and Laura postponed their ride until tomorrow.

September 9th: Dad (Ted), Tex and Laura, Joe and Sherrie and a few others rode south to the Gathering of the Guard today. They ran through rain just as they arrived at the edge of town. By early afternoon they were checked into the motel and ready to ride out to Ann's Motorcycles to check in and pick up their packets. The weather held for the rest of the festivities although it was hot and muggy.

Field of Honor - Gathering of the Guard 2010 - Killeen, TX - Dad says rolling up on this sight was an awesome experience... very beautiful and serene.

Laura snaps a photo of Tex near his Blue Spader buddies on The Wall (lost in Vietnam, 1967)

The following is a slide show (6 photos) of a motorcycle. It is a 79 model Harley, beautifully restored in memory of a son killed in action in Iraq. It is an amazing tribute to a son and soldier who gave his all for his country.

The following is a slide show of photos, shared courtesy of our friends Nubbin and Angela (22 photos). Nubbin lost a brother, Gary C Johnston, in Vietnam (1970). They also lost a son, Gary S Johnston, in Afghanistan (2007). Dog tags could be purchased and hung with the flags on the Field of Honor and one of the photos shows Nubbin hanging the tags. Nubbin had the opportunity to ring the traveling Liberty Bell for his brother. Angela had rung the bell for their son before. In Nubbin's words: You ring it 7 times in the memory of your hero, and on the 7th toll you place your hands on the bell and it burns in the memory of SSgt Gary C Johnston, and like his nephew Gary will travel with the bell wherever it goes. "Let Freedom Ring"!!! Nubbin was one of the Gold Star Dads who had the honor to participate in the laying of the wreaths.

Dad said attendance was down the first few days, probably because of the weather. He had a good time and says it was a great experience. The following is a slide show of other photos that Dad took at the Gathering (28 photos):

Thanks for sharing Dad... wish we could have been there with you and the others. The only thing I can see wrong with the photos is you didn't step in front of the camera yourself.