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 overseas 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 tours then our Active-Duty Forces and have since the beginning of the War On Terror started. Each tour averages 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 high rates of divorce (highest in DOD). 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 an essential resource. In the last 12 years, the PGR has attended this same event every six months. The Riders met with Active Duty; Veterans, Forward Area Controllers, Combat Controllers, Pararescue men, SERE Instructors, and of course the Pilots and Aircrewmen and women and support personnel. At those meetings, we have “saluted” thousands of Returning and Redeploying Heroes and thousands family members.
Please bring your bike flags and handheld flags as we will be parking in front of the event. We have been asked to present a flag line at the events closing ceremonies. In this unique venue, the Ride Captain will be presenting a speech on the PGR and our activities afterwards we will give them a final salute then stand outside the door. Be sure to bring your smiles, handshakes, and flags and be prepared to thank them for their service and all that they do to keep us free and allow us to sleep safely in our beds at night as they exit for their deployment. We have been honored to be placed as the last speech given prior to their combat deployments and tearful goodbyes.
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. Please come and honor our reservists and their families.
NOTE: Do not travel directly to the Event Location, if you do, there will be a parking fee.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring these USAFR Heroes. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, please see the time table below.
NOTE:
All YRRP support personnel, DIs, and official visitors (*PGR)must meet one of the following requirements:
a. Provide a completed and signed DD Form 3150, “Contractor and Visitor Certification of Vaccination” attesting to vaccination status (Atch 5).
b. Provide proof of a negative COVID-19 test, completed no more than 72 hours before event check-in.
c. Those who have not provided proof of being fully vaccinated to their YRRP representative prior to the start date of the event are NOT approved to travel to or participate in the event.
(Note: The Ride Captain will have the forms to be filled in. Bring your shot records.)
Time Table for Sunday, 31 July 2022:0930 - Stage at Denny's, 2080 S Harbor Blvd, Anaheim, CA 92802
https://goo.gl/maps/bnbxvFQUXGag4M2B91000 – Mission Briefing
1030 – KSU to the Event Location (Appx 5 minutes)
1045 – Participate with Flag Lines in the Yellow Ribbon Closing Ceremonies
RC: Chuck "Machine" JohnsonUSAF SERE Master Instructor, MSgt Ret
US Army Sgt SEA 67-70
SoCal PGR Ride Captain
American Legion Riders Post 416
760 271 2544
chuckj661@hotmail.com
“Heroes rarely get happy endings. They give them to other people.”
