The DoD Yellow Ribbon Reintegration Program (YRRP) and the United States Air Force Reserves have asked the Patriot Guard Riders to Honor the Airmen and Airwomen who are faithfully serving their country and are getting ready to deploy on yet another Combat Tour. The YRRP is a national veteran reintegration program to provide National Guard and Reserve Component members and their families a managed PTSD program.
The Reserves are serving longer and more frequent Combat Tours then our Active Duty Forces and have since the beginning of the war. Each tour averages 9 months to a year. The YRRP is paramount to the morale and welfare of our reservists and their families. The program provides members and families with essential resources (healthcare, education, training opportunities, financial and legal benefits, and friends of the military) prior to deployment, during deployment, and successful re-integration techniques post deployment. The immense effects of PTSD on these Heroes are reflected in the funding. The Department of Defense recognizes their extraordinary sacrifices and provides them Joint Chief of staff (JCS) Unlimited funding.
The Air Force Reserve Command believes the Patriot Guard Riders are one of those essential resources. In the last 4 years, the PGR attended this same event in San Diego, Sacramento, Costa Mesa and Garden Grove. The Riders met with Active Duty, Veterans, Forward Area Controllers, Combat Controllers, ParaRescuemen, SERE Instructors, and of course the Pilots and Aircrewmen and women and support personnel. At those meetings we have “saluted” 3000 Returning and Redeploying Reserve Heroes and over 4,000 family members.
Please bring your bike flags as we will be parking in front of the event. We have been asked to present a flag line at the events closing ceremony. In addition to the flag line, this year the organizers have asked if we could have 3-4 of our members just quickly introduce themselves and what branch of services you served. If you are a civilian they ask that you quickly share why you joined the PGR.
We have been invited to once again participate. We will be staging at a separate location then riding to the location where free parking is provided, cages are welcomed but may have to find their own parking. If you can make the time, please come and honor our reservists and their families.
NOTE: Do not travel directly to the Event Location; there will be a parking fee. NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring these USAFR Heroes. Please see the time table below if you can participate.
Time Table for SUNDAY, 25 Mar 18 0945 – Stage at Spanish Landing Park, 3900 North Harbor Drive, San Diego, CA 92101
https://goo.gl/maps/MNVKp4fhZJ721000 – Mission Briefing
1015 – KSU to Manchester Grand Hyatt Hotel, 1 Market Pl San Diego, CA 92101
https://goo.gl/maps/NfwCkWYtu2u1045 – Participate with Flag Line in the Yellow Ribbon closing ceremonies
R/C: Kimberly ChavezSoCal PGR Ride Captain
619-328-8773
kknjellybeanride@yahoo.com
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
