Patriot Guard Riders
Posted: Mon Oct 27, 2008 10:06 am
PGR member embracing dual passions
By SARAH ROHRS/Times-Herald staff writer
Article Launched: 10/27/2008 07:41:56 AM PDT
Sarah Rohrs/Times-Herald Al Donaldson of American Canyon sits in his garage on his Harley 2007 Electra Glide Classic on which he rides as part of Patriotic Guard Riders, a group that has about 153,000 members nationwide.
AMERICAN CANYON -- While serving in a flag line at U.S. Army Private Jennifer Cole's memorial services last summer in Napa, someone asked Al Donaldson how much he was getting paid to hold an American flag and salute the fallen soldier.
The question took the American Canyon resident aback, and he quickly told the inquirer that he and other members of the Patriotic Guard Riders (PGR) get no money to welcome soldiers home and serve as escorts at military funerals.
In fact, he said they feel honored to be guests of the family and to show their respect.
For Donaldson, a retired Chevron engineer, PGR allows him to indulge in two things he admires and respects greatly -- motorcycles and military troops.
"I get to enjoy a lot of things in my life because of what others (in the military) have done," said Donaldson, a Scotland native, who is now a U.S. citizen and a 28-year American Canyon resident.
Besides their bikes, PGR members have one thing in common -- "an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America's freedom and security," according to the group's mission statement.
Members need not own motorcycles to join PGR, which has about 153,000 members nationwide. The organization takes no donations, and there are no dues to join.
At funerals, they escort the coffin from the airport to the funeral home and then to the church and the cemetery, activities which can, at times, take an entire day. At each stop they form a flag line and
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a protective wall around the family.
"We'll do whatever we need to do to respect and honor these heroes," Donaldson said.
One of the more impressive events, Donaldson recalled, was when PGR members escorted Cole's coffin through Travis Air Force Base. He said many on the base stopped their work and got out of their cars to salute her as she went by.
Many PGR members are Vietnam War veterans who recall protesters spitting and throwing things at them when they came home four decades ago. These members want to assure that doesn't happen again.
In Brentwood, Donaldson and other PGR members recently met Airman 1st Class Joshua Jorgenson as he got off the plane in San Francisco after serving in Baghdad.
Riding on his Harley 2007 Electra Glide Classic, he and the other bike riders escorted the family's vehicle to his home in Brentwood where the soldier was greeted by the mayor and other dignitaries gathered on the family's front lawn.
As they entered the Caldecott Tunnel, the bikers dropped down a gear to intensify the roaring of their engines, and to let everyone know, "We've got a hero coming home," Donaldson said.
Jorgenson later told them he didn't expect such fanfare, saying "I was just there doing my job. I didn't think anybody cared," Donaldson recalled.
Even if soldiers never fought on the front lines, they deserve to be thanked for their service and welcomed back, Donaldson said. That's why he has taken part in about 40 welcome home ceremonies and nearly 15 funerals in the last two years.
Donaldson and PGR members have also provided security at funerals where the family fears anti-war demonstrators or appearances from Westboro Baptist Church supporters who believe Iraq War military deaths are payback for American sins.
Donaldson said PGR actions are not done to show support of the war. The group also forms flag lines at funerals for World War II veterans, if invited, and participates in Veterans Day parades.
"We're not about the war. We're here simply to show support for the troops," he said.
Donaldson's love affair with motorcycles began when he was a young teen growing up in Scotland. He moved to the United States when he was 21, first settling in Newark, California. In the early 1980s, he began his work in Bay Area oil refineries.
As part of the Mt. Diablo Chapter of the Harley Owners Group, Donaldson takes part in group rides and also donates money to a variety of charities and other efforts to help the needy.
Besides his Electra Glide Classic, he also owns a Harley 2007 Softail Custom which is smaller than his PGR bike and better suited for club rides.
Donaldson also helps out with American Canyon Troop Support (ACTS) founded by Sindy Biederman. The group sends care packages monthly to between 25 and 50 soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Al and the PGR's principles are very similar -- they both stand proud as an American, support our military service men and women, no matter where or when they served...," said Biederman, who is also a member.
As a "military mom," Biederman said it is heartwarming to know the PGR members appreciate her son's service, and that they understand the sacrifices he and others have made.
A fondness for the military began early in life for Donaldson. As a boy, Donaldson remembers riding his bicycle to military cemeteries for the Scottish equivalent of Veterans Day services.
On those days he wore a poppy in his lapel, a worldwide symbol of patriotism and veteran support. "I've always had respect for the sacrifices that they've made," he said.
n Patriotic Guard Riders
To request a PGR mission or learn more about Patriotic Guard Riders, go to www.patriotguard.org, call 925-628-2201, or send an e-mail to pgr@lyvere.com. Al Donaldson can be reached at 644-0582 or at aldonaldson@sbcglobal.net.
E-mail Sarah Rohrs at srohrs@thnewsnet.com or call 553-6832.
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By SARAH ROHRS/Times-Herald staff writer
Article Launched: 10/27/2008 07:41:56 AM PDT
Sarah Rohrs/Times-Herald Al Donaldson of American Canyon sits in his garage on his Harley 2007 Electra Glide Classic on which he rides as part of Patriotic Guard Riders, a group that has about 153,000 members nationwide.
AMERICAN CANYON -- While serving in a flag line at U.S. Army Private Jennifer Cole's memorial services last summer in Napa, someone asked Al Donaldson how much he was getting paid to hold an American flag and salute the fallen soldier.
The question took the American Canyon resident aback, and he quickly told the inquirer that he and other members of the Patriotic Guard Riders (PGR) get no money to welcome soldiers home and serve as escorts at military funerals.
In fact, he said they feel honored to be guests of the family and to show their respect.
For Donaldson, a retired Chevron engineer, PGR allows him to indulge in two things he admires and respects greatly -- motorcycles and military troops.
"I get to enjoy a lot of things in my life because of what others (in the military) have done," said Donaldson, a Scotland native, who is now a U.S. citizen and a 28-year American Canyon resident.
Besides their bikes, PGR members have one thing in common -- "an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America's freedom and security," according to the group's mission statement.
Members need not own motorcycles to join PGR, which has about 153,000 members nationwide. The organization takes no donations, and there are no dues to join.
At funerals, they escort the coffin from the airport to the funeral home and then to the church and the cemetery, activities which can, at times, take an entire day. At each stop they form a flag line and
Advertisement
Avery Greene Motors
a protective wall around the family.
"We'll do whatever we need to do to respect and honor these heroes," Donaldson said.
One of the more impressive events, Donaldson recalled, was when PGR members escorted Cole's coffin through Travis Air Force Base. He said many on the base stopped their work and got out of their cars to salute her as she went by.
Many PGR members are Vietnam War veterans who recall protesters spitting and throwing things at them when they came home four decades ago. These members want to assure that doesn't happen again.
In Brentwood, Donaldson and other PGR members recently met Airman 1st Class Joshua Jorgenson as he got off the plane in San Francisco after serving in Baghdad.
Riding on his Harley 2007 Electra Glide Classic, he and the other bike riders escorted the family's vehicle to his home in Brentwood where the soldier was greeted by the mayor and other dignitaries gathered on the family's front lawn.
As they entered the Caldecott Tunnel, the bikers dropped down a gear to intensify the roaring of their engines, and to let everyone know, "We've got a hero coming home," Donaldson said.
Jorgenson later told them he didn't expect such fanfare, saying "I was just there doing my job. I didn't think anybody cared," Donaldson recalled.
Even if soldiers never fought on the front lines, they deserve to be thanked for their service and welcomed back, Donaldson said. That's why he has taken part in about 40 welcome home ceremonies and nearly 15 funerals in the last two years.
Donaldson and PGR members have also provided security at funerals where the family fears anti-war demonstrators or appearances from Westboro Baptist Church supporters who believe Iraq War military deaths are payback for American sins.
Donaldson said PGR actions are not done to show support of the war. The group also forms flag lines at funerals for World War II veterans, if invited, and participates in Veterans Day parades.
"We're not about the war. We're here simply to show support for the troops," he said.
Donaldson's love affair with motorcycles began when he was a young teen growing up in Scotland. He moved to the United States when he was 21, first settling in Newark, California. In the early 1980s, he began his work in Bay Area oil refineries.
As part of the Mt. Diablo Chapter of the Harley Owners Group, Donaldson takes part in group rides and also donates money to a variety of charities and other efforts to help the needy.
Besides his Electra Glide Classic, he also owns a Harley 2007 Softail Custom which is smaller than his PGR bike and better suited for club rides.
Donaldson also helps out with American Canyon Troop Support (ACTS) founded by Sindy Biederman. The group sends care packages monthly to between 25 and 50 soldiers serving in Iraq and Afghanistan.
"Al and the PGR's principles are very similar -- they both stand proud as an American, support our military service men and women, no matter where or when they served...," said Biederman, who is also a member.
As a "military mom," Biederman said it is heartwarming to know the PGR members appreciate her son's service, and that they understand the sacrifices he and others have made.
A fondness for the military began early in life for Donaldson. As a boy, Donaldson remembers riding his bicycle to military cemeteries for the Scottish equivalent of Veterans Day services.
On those days he wore a poppy in his lapel, a worldwide symbol of patriotism and veteran support. "I've always had respect for the sacrifices that they've made," he said.
n Patriotic Guard Riders
To request a PGR mission or learn more about Patriotic Guard Riders, go to www.patriotguard.org, call 925-628-2201, or send an e-mail to pgr@lyvere.com. Al Donaldson can be reached at 644-0582 or at aldonaldson@sbcglobal.net.
E-mail Sarah Rohrs at srohrs@thnewsnet.com or call 553-6832.
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