Homes For Our Troops (HFOT), a non-profit organization. has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to attend the Key Turning Ceremony for two Wounded Warriors, SGT Joshua Hooker, US Army, and Sgt Kaleb Weakley, US Marine Corps, and we are honored to do so.
HFOT has built a home for each these Heroes, homes adapted to their needs and are mortgage free. HFOT has done this for many Wounded Warriors across the country.
SGT Joshua Hooker:Joshua Hooker joined the Army in 2003 right after high school, because he felt it was his turn to serve the mission in Iraq. He enlisted as a cavalry scout with the 101st Airborne Division, and first deployed to Iraq in 2005. On April 29, 2006, Sergeant Hooker was on a patrol in Baghdad when he was hit by an improvised explosive device (IED). He sustained severe damage to both legs in the blast, resulting in the eventual amputation of his left leg.
Here is a link to more information and a video with SGT Joshua Hooker:
https://www.hfotusa.org/building-homes/veterans/hooker/Sgt Kaleb Weakley:During his second combat tour in February 2012, Marine Sergeant Kaleb Weakley, a field artillery cannoneer, was on a routine patrol with the 2nd Battalion, 11th Marines, in southern Helmand Province, Afghanistan when he was hit by enemy fire in the left leg and right arm. Once back in the United States, Kaleb underwent more than 20 surgeries on his leg and arm over the course of two years. It is possible they may need to amputate his left leg in the future. While recovering at Balboa Naval Medical Center, Kaleb met his wife, Sydney.
Here is a link to more information and a video with Sgt Kaleb Weakley:
https://www.hfotusa.org/building-homes/veterans/weakley/The Patriot Guard will meet, brief, at the initial staging area for the procession. If you wish to participate and meet our Heroes, they are expected to meet us at our staging site and we can shake their hands and learn how they are doing.
We will then bring both Heroes and their families to the ceremony. Distinguished guests will address the audience during the ceremony.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring these American Heroes. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, we will be accompanying the Heroes and their families to the event location. Please see the time table if you would like to participate.
Time Table for Saturday, 21 JAN 23:0900 - Stage at Ramona High School, 1401 Hanson Ln, Ramona, CA 92065
https://goo.gl/maps/jjvsRne6VHotxWya70915 - Mission briefing
0930 - Meet Heroes & Families
1000 - KSU to location of Hero's new homes (1 mile)
1005 - Est arrival at new homes
1010 - Flag Line
R/C Stacey McCarthy “Lil Bit”
So Cal PGR Ride Captain(619) 277-5176
smoerschell@yahoo.com
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are 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.
