Riders staged near a Harley Dealer in Garland at 0700.  Organizers from the Oregon PGR briefed what the ride plan was  and what were to do.  The NTX PGR briefed the Safety factors for the day.  The riders departed to visit the first family at 0930 with two Texas DPS officers providing escort.  They stayed with us for two days. 

At each of the eight stops on Saturday, the family was presented with a special plaque for the occasion as well as a laminated poem written by one of the Oregon PGR.  Three active duty soldiers accompanied us and presented the plaque with a salute to the OPGR who then turned to the family for the presentation. If a portrait was available then the TXPGR presented it to the family.  If a portrait was not present the family was provided information and contacts to arrange to receive one.  After all the presentations concluded the families were introduced to fellow Gold Star families traveling with us.  Following that the riders shook hands and gave hugs to each of the fallen’s parents and family.  We then spent a few minutes before proceeding on to the next stop. 

The first family to visit were the parents of Army Sgt. Gregory Owens who waited at Hillcrest High School, the Sergeant’s alma mater.  The school band played as we arrived. A portrait was presented to the Owens family.  Just prior to our departure the Dallas Police Chief arrived to shake everyone’s hand and to thank us for what we were doing for the families. 

Our second stop was in Wylie where we met with the parents of Army 1LT Robert Welch III.  Here, LTC. Welch II and his wife were presented with the Tribute to Fallen Soldiers plaque and poem followed by a portrait of LT. Welch.  His wife, Becky was there also; she had received her portrait in April. 

Stop three was in Royse City where we met the parents of Army Spc. Jerod Osborne.  This was a very private tribute in the front of small church in the country with only   The tribute plaque and poem were presented.  A portrait will be given when a picture is provided to NTXPGR.

We then proceed to Terrell to visit Five Gold Star Families. The first family, stop #4, we visited was the family of Army Staff Sergeant Shawn McNabb.  We learned that his parents are both in the medical field, Mr. McNabb a retired EMT and Mrs. McNabb a nurse.  Sergeant McNabb was also a medic with the goal of becoming an Physicians Assistant. After the Tribute presentations were made a portrait was presented to the family from NTPGR.

Stop five was to visit fellow NTX Riders, David and Debbie Emard to honor their son, Army Spc. Jonathan “JD” Emard.  After the Tribute presentations Dewey Dyer, long time NTXPGR, presented the portrait to the Emard family. The family provided water and cookies to the riders which was greatly appreciated since we would not be stopping for lunch.  Prior to departing, Jonathan’s sister and her husband sang a song for us she composed based upon her brother’s life but made generic for any solider.  The music was beautiful and the words so moving there was not a dry eye remaining as we tried to mount up for the next destination.

Army Spc. Joseph Lewis’s family was stop #6.  Here we presented the Tribute plaque and poem as well as a portrait to his family.  Mr. Lewis, the father, is a Vietnam Vet who participated in the final days chaos of extracting people.  Joseph’s grand father is a WWII Pacific Vet from the 1st Cav.  Joseph’s wife and daughter were present also.

Our next stop, #7 was to visit Sandra Moreno, the mother of Army Sgt. Gerardo Moreno who was killed in 2004.  This visit was special because the PGR did not yet exist so the family never experienced the what the PGR provides. Mrs. Moreno and family were so thrilled that some one still cares about their sacrifice.  After the Tribute presentations were made we were shown into the house to see the room that is set up to display the Sergeant’s memorabilia. A portrait will be provided at a later date.

The final stop for the day, still in Terrell, was for Army Staff Sgt. Sean Berry.  Mrs. Berry had neighbors and friends out for the presentations.  The portrait was presented by Gold Star Dad, David Emard who rode with us from his home after our stop.  

Each stop was special. Each was unique. Each was emotional.  We began our rides home after about an 11 hour day.  The day ended with 22 motorcycles and no major problems.  Gold Star Family, the Savages, rode all day with us, hugging each family they met.  Their day will be tomorrow. 