The Gathering Of The Guard

2007

July 7:  Today was the parade through Claremore.  The PGR went to the city and they wanted $300 for a permit so the parade was turned into an 'informal ride' through town.  The Sheriff, who is a PGR member, found out and sent his own escorts along with police from nearby towns who provided the escort for our 'informal ride'.  I also included pictures of some of my newest friends and their pets.

This evening they announced the winners of the 'bike' show and the 'car' show and then they fed us.  Chicken, Ribs, beef, beans, potato salad and a free beer.  As dinner was ending there was an auction with some really good stuff.  Included in the items were a pair of flags, one the good old stars and stripes and also the PGR flag.  Both of the flags included a certificate that said they had flown at 'Camp Chaos' in Afghanistan last month.  The auction was delayed as a phone call came in.  It was from Afghanistan! It was the soldier that had flown the flags telling us what a great thing we were doing!  Can you imagine, a phone call from the middle of a war zone to thank us!  This soldier, who is protecting us, wanted to say "Thank You".  The best part is yet to come.  His mother is in the audience!  She gets to talk to her son.  the flag sold for just over $100 and the buyer then gave the flag to the mother.  I am so proud to be a part of this.

As I left the Expo, I walked past the car that had won the car show, a 1957 Chevy and congratulated the owner as they were packing up the car.  I was almost back to the campground, flags flying, and noticed a '57 Chevy in my mirror.  It was the same car and as they went by 'thumbs up' were exchanged.

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July 6:  I met some of the PGR people for breakfast at Hugo's in Claremore.  Three eggs, a half pound of bacon (10 strips) and two potatoes worth of 'home fries' $6.00!

Then back to the Expo Center for final preparations and registration.

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I went back to the Expo Center for a fund raising dinner for the 'Blue Star Moms'.  Steak, Baked Potato, Salad and a giant chocolate cookie.  The last picture in this set is Sgt Jake McNiece who served in the 101 Airborne in WW II.  His book "The Filthy Thirteen" was the motivation for the movie (can you guess) 'The Dirty Dozen".  Can't wait to read it.

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July 5:  Today was the preparation day for the 'Gathering'.  I arrived at the 'Expo Center' in Claremore at about 9:30 to see what I could do to help.  I had talked to Kerri Hamilton who said she would be there at 10:00 and was looking for all the help she could find.  While waiting, I noticed some flags and bikes at the RV Park next to the Expo Center so went over and sure enough the park had PGR members there.  I later found out that the park was exclusively PGR for the whole week.  Anyone that thinks that these things just happen has never been involved in getting things ready!

We carried in boxes, coolers, tee shirts, patches and all kinds of stuff.  We set up tables and helped some of the vendors unload and set up.  It seems that my talent with scissors was well known and I spent some time cutting decals out of large sheets then helping package up tee shirts, patches and decals for people who had ordered them.  I did help make a dent in the pizza when it was delivered and managed to take a few pictures.

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