Road Trip #3 - Texas HOG Rally - Day 4 - PGR Mission and more Rally fun

September 4, 2010
Colorado, USA

Wichita Falls, TX -- Yawn! We got in late from Casino Night which is the way it should be - right? No one wants to say I went to the casino last night and was home and in bed by 8:00... We don't have to worry about that - I think it was nearly 1 am before my head hit the pillow.

Today we rose early to join Dad and other North Texas Patriot Guard Riders for a Mission. The mission was for the funeral of Sgt Raymond Walker of Nocona. US Army/Vietnam Veteran (Hamburger Hill). Walker, a well respected businessman in the area was killed in a head on motorcycle/SUV collision in Oregon in August.

Several new riders joined our group this morning, among them members of the Shockers RC. Young people, all of them now proud Patriot Guard Riders. They rode well, were respectful and very helpful. It is a great thing to see young people involved with an organization like the PGR. On the way, vehicles pulled over to let us pass and on-coming riders and drivers saluted as we passed. That's Texas for ya. A good many PGR from the surrounding area were already present and parked north of the church. Over 70 people stood the flag line in front of the First Baptist Church in Nocona. The services were packed and overflowed into standing room only in the gymnasium. Several people walked the flag line and thanked us for our presence. Not a one among us questioned for even a single moment why we were there...

We did not participate in the graveside services part of the mission. Over 50 stood the flag line at the cemetery. Dad cut his participation short so we could enjoy the last day of the rally. Dad, Tim and myself along with Charlie rode back to Wichita Falls, stopping at the DQ in Nocona first -- where else?

PGR Mission slide show (34 photos) several photos compliments of Kirby Pacheco:

After a great lunch which Mom had on the table when we rode in, Tim and I rode to the rally and watched a couple of biker games. We got to see the panty race (funny) and the Slow Ride. I have video of the two best slow riders - stay tuned for that upload. Afterwards we moseyed inside, admiring the ride in bike show entrants along the way. One of those entrants was Gary Fortner's patriotic bike. We shopped and visited with friends Ray and Laura. We learned my brother rode in the downtown motorcycle parade that morning. The parade was led by our friend Joe Vacarella, with friend Gary Fortner following right behind. Later, we rode with Laura and Tex to Red River H-D so they could pick up their historical marker pins.

The Folks called while we were at RRHD. They were at the rally. So we all rode back there one more time. We shopped and visited more, picking up those last few items we needed to carry home with us. We decided to visit with the Folks that evening rather than attend the Lone Star concert.

Nezzie & Ted (Mom and Dad) goofing off at the Jalapeno Tree

After an excellent dinner at The Jalapeno Tree, shared with Mom and Dad, Ray and Laura, we spent the evening visiting with the Folks.

Slide show (11 photos):

We called it an early night, all of us having trouble keeping our eyes open long enough to watch the 10:00 news. The Texas State HOG Rally is over. We've had a good time. Now we have some family stuff to do so stay tuned...