** TIME CHANGE ** TIME CHANGE **
Please note the times have changed, please see updated time table below.A Hero's Welcome - Oceanside, CA
Lcpl Rob Jones USMC, Double Amputee Cross-Country Hero Ride
The Patriot Guard has been invited to stand a flagline and meet with LCpl Rob Jones a double amputee who starting in 2013 has been engaged in a cross-country bicycle trip. Lcpl Jones has had two combat deployments. The first was in Iraq in 2008 and then to Afghanistan in 2010. In Afghanistan, while engaged in clearing an IED, Rob was injured and almost killed when it exploded and caused multiple injuries and a double leg amputation. Facing such a ordeal that life has suddenly become, is hard enough. After years of hardship and rehabilitation, he persevered and challenged himself to help his Brother and Sister Heroes who have also suffered such extremes of the human condition.
Rob relearned to ride a bicycle, how to run and how to row. He was honorably discharged from the Marine Corps in December, of 2011. He loves rowing and running and after being outfitted with prosthetics, he entered competitions and started winning. Rob become a member of the US Rowing national team, and also won the Final Paralympic Qualification Regatta in Belgrade to qualify for the Paralympics. In late August, 2012 he won the Bronze Medal. Rob wanted to help others and so he turned an idea into a reality when in 2013, he left from Bar Harbor, Maine and biked 30 miles a day, through all kinds of adverse weather in a fund raising attempt. Rob is almost to the end of his journey at Camp Pendleton. He has been escorted by the Patriot Guard all across the country on this arduous trip. Here is a brief excerp from his blog:
"The wind blew constantly. Not only that, but constantly in my face. It didn't matter which way I turned I could be going into the wind headed south, make a 90 degree turn, and somehow the wind would still be in my face. My nose was running as usual, except this time when I blew it, instead of being absorbed into my shirt it froze on the outside. Even my neck gaiter was a stiff piece of fabric that my breath couldn't keep warm. After 33 kilometers, I took a break in the truck, and scarfed down a Bonk Breaker and drank a Mountain Dew. I needed the extra caffeine, I thought. I continued on. The wind let up a tad, but the hills became steeper to make up for it. Eventually I saw the people that were planning to escort me into Chester, Illinois. After making it up one last steep hill a police officer informed me that I was almost there. I was wracked with fatigue, my legs burned, and my lungs burned. I rounded a corner, and in the distance I could see a group of people gathered with firetrucks and American flags waving. As I got closer, my fatigue dissipated. The cheers of admirers gave me that extra boost that I needed to pedal the last 500 meters. When I got off my bike I felt sick and dizzy, but all of the pain that I had just endured was worth it to make it to that point. This is just one day of pain,and one town."Please come help us make his arrival at Camp Pendleton an event that he will remember for the rest of his life. Rob has been cycling 30 kilometers a day since October 11th, 2013 and will have traveled 5400 miles.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this American Hero. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be standing a flagline for our Hero. Please see the time table if you would like to participate
UPDATED Time Table for Saturday 12 Apr 20140945 - Stage at Denny’s Oceanside - 487 Harbor Dr., Oceanside, CA 92054
1000 - Mission Briefing.
1030 - KSU to location.
1100 - Stand a Flagline meet and welcome our Hero.
Map link for this mission -
https://goo.gl/maps/vp2OvR/C Chuck "Machine" Johnson
USAF Ret Msgt SERE Master Instructor
SoCalPGR Ride Captain
760-271-2544
chuckj661@hotmail.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).
Each motorcycle rider must have registration, and proof of insurance. Also necessary are, hard sole shoes, long pants, full-fingered gloves, a long sleeve outer garment, eye protection, and a DOT helmet. A brightly colored reflective vest is no longer needed but recommended. Please have your I.D. ready when you arrive at the gate.
https://www.patriotguard.org/showthread.php?388812
