October 13, 2010
Colorado, USA
UPDATE: 8:35 pm Mountain Time - just received this notification from a Texas Patriot Guard Ride Captain... The Toll issue has been resolved. Word somehow got out across the country and the Oklahoma Peace Officers Association said they would pay all the toll on Saturday. Then the funeral home received a phone call from an individual in Oregon offering to pay the bill, then an Oklahoma State Legislator found out what was happening in his State and said the issue will be resolved. It came down to the Director of the Oklahoma Turnpike Authority called the funeral home and said "come on through our toll system, I will take care of the cost."
It is amazing when phone calls start coming into every person that our group can think of to call, what can happen. Score one up for both the OK PGR and NTX PGR mission accomplished on this issue. Great job to all members of our PGR community and thank each of you for the services you render for our Fallen Heroes and their families.
A young soldier... fallen in the service of this country - our country will make his way home in a few days. He will travel through Texas and Oklahoma to Fort Sill, OK.
Sadly, this soldier who has given his all for US (the country, our country, you and me) has yet one more due to pay. His loved ones who have sacrificed their most valuable asset for US will also pay yet another price.
The Oklahoma Turnpike Authority has advised the Patriot Guard Riders who will escort the soldier and the family that each vehicle in the Funeral Procession will be charged a $1.40 toll fee, including the Hearse and Family car. Oklahoma Turnpike Authority does not make concession for the funerals of fallen service members. Why the hell not?
The father of this fallen hero has offered to pay the toll bill for the escort. The Patriot Guard Riders I know would never allow that to happen. The Patriot Guard Riders will take up donations to cover the expense and hopefully approach the toll gate with a lump sum in order to ride on through the gates without having to stop the procession.
It is not the $1.40 cents per vehicle - it is the time required for each vehicle in the funeral procession to stop and pay that is wrong. The family of PFC Cody Board or any other service man or funeral should not have to suffer the disrespect and embarrassment of the delay caused by each vehicle having to pay a toll in what will likely be a lengthy procession to honor their son on his final journey.
U.S. Fallen.org has the right idea - let's start with Oklahoma... and then find out if this same thing is happening on toll roads in your state. We need to DEMAND RESPECT for our soldiers and veterans - because bureaucrats will not. It is shameful!
Fallen Warrior's Funeral Procession Denied Free Access on Toll Roads in Oklahoma: http://www.usfallen.org/2010/10/14/fallen-warrior’s-funeral-procession-denied-free-access-on-toll-roads-in-oklahoma/
PFC Cody Board: http://www.usfallen.org/2010/10/07/pfc-cody-board-19-kia-returning-to-n-texas/
Please join us in a phone campaign to the governor of the great state of OK and the appointed bureaucrat of the OK Turnpike Authority to demand they do the right thing and allow all families of fallen warriors a free pass on their turnpikes.
Oklahoma:
Office of Governor
Brad Henry, Governor
Telephone: (405) 521-2342
Hours: Monday – Friday 8:00 a.m. – 5:00 p.m. CST
Web form contact: http://www.gov.ok.gov/message.php
Oklahoma Turnpike Authority
Tim Stewart, Deputy Director and Chief Operating Officer
405-425-3600
Hours: Monday – Friday 7:30 a.m. – 4:30 p.m. CST
email: otapublicrelations@pikepass.com
And, if this is happening in your state - let me know.
This is shameful. It is hard to believe that they will not allow the hearse and family at least to pass through. I am glad you are spreading the word and the contact info. I will make a call!
ReplyDeleteOz: Just posted an update... the toll issue for this incident has been resolved. I think it bears further investigation across other states. Call it a cold weather project - ha! Thanks for your help - the only reason things like this happen is because people do nothing... ;)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the heads up... this is primarily a motorcyle blog but Veterans and respect for Veterans is always at the top of our list. Share the link as you will and thanks for your interest. -V-
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