dctrip

My journey started in Buffalo, NY monday morning I left about 8:00 AM riding 425 miles to Antietam, MD. As a member of the Patriot Guard Riders we were invited to participate in the return of a civil war soldiers remains to his home in New York state. The soldier's remains were recently found in a shallow grave located in a cornfield near the Antietam National cemetery. After 147 years our brother soldier was going home.

Myself posing with my 34 star flag at the cemetery entrance:

Below DW Taylor(Missouri) Ed K (Buffalo) Dave Schrekengost(Georgia)
last one holding the Union flag was Stuart Kaufman (Great Neck, NY)

Maryland National Guard's Honor Guard awaits the transfer
Tuesday morning:

Honor and respect, orders for the day:

Guns stand silent this day 147 years later:

Transfer begins:

National Park Rangers serve as pallbearers,
our brother is coming home:

Our first fuel stop in Hamburg, PA, the public is invited to view
the flag draped coffin, built to civil war specifications. Everyone
wants a picture including myself.

We arrive at Camp Smith, NY where we spend the night,
the soldier lies in state in the Duffy Chapel,
Union soldier stands silent vigil.

Patriot Guard Riders stand flagline in honor of our fallen brother.
"We Stand for Those Who Stood for Us"




PGR member John Tibbs of Peekskill posed with the Union flag
of 34 stars. John's Great-great-great-grandfather served with the
Confederate Army.

Wednesday morning leaving Camp Smith's "Duffy Chapel":

Patriot Guard Riders, ride captian Bill Schaaf leads the
procession of about 50 bikes. Bill worked tirelessly to arrange
the logistics of this incredible journey, we can't thank him enough.

The welcoming party awaits our hero at the NY State Military
Muesum, Saratoga Springs, NY.
NY 125th Regiment Re-enactors.

NY State National Guard's Honor Guard carries coffin into
the Museum as witnessed by a large crowd of citizens and
Patriot Guard Riders, and civil war re-enactors.

The Unknown soldier's remains lie in state inside the
NY State Military Museum, viewing open to the public.
Honor Guards, past and present stand vigil.

Outside the Patriot Guard stands vigil.


Gen. Ulysses Grant and wife Ida,
pay their respects.

Family of mourners

Thursday morning: In addition to American flags our bikes
are adorned with yellow ribbons for the procession. Click the link
for a story about the ribbons.

www.saratogian.com/articles/2009/10/21/news/doc4ade692455224384409623.txt

NY State National Guard's Honor Guard carries soldier to the
waiting hearse ,as over 100 Partiot Guard Riders salute our
fallen hero.

Scott Smoke of NY Region 3,his flag proudly flying en-route
to Saratoga National Cemetery.

Saratoga National Cemetery, away from the massive crowd,
a visitor respectfully awaits our hero in solitude.

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War.

Saratoga National Cemetery Honor Guard

NY State National Guard's Honor Guard

Patriot Guard Riders line the walkway



147 years later, our unknown soldier finally gets his parade.

Procession of family, we are all family today.

Horse drawn hearse , PGR present arms.

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War handle the honors.

NY State National Guard's Honor Guard,
"On behalf a grateful nation."

Procession to gravesite, Patriot Gaurd Riders.

NY State National Guard's Honor Guard

Saratoga National Cemetery gravesite

A final prayer......

A tearful good-bye, our hero is home.

My trip is over, I traveled 1364 miles in four days. I didn't count the tears, but they were many. This was a real funeral, for a real soldier. Because of the attention paid to historical details, the pine coffin built to Civil War era specifications, the 34 star flags, the period costumes and re-enactors, the presence of News cameras everywhere, it was easy to think that we were all just actors playing a part in a movie. The somber faces and real tears always brought us back to reality. We honored and saluted a real soldier here today, a real American hero.

Thanks and graitude to everyone who helped make this soldiers day so special.

Edward W. Kornowski
Buffalo, NY

Update: November 17, 2009 I had the occasion to visit
Saratoga National Cemetery and took a picture of the
Unknown Soldier's Grave marker.

Thursday May 21, 2009

I eat breakfast in my favorite restaurant in Niagara Falls, NY, Names will be changed to protect the innocent, or just plain left out. I meet up with 8 other motorcycles and head out for a road trip. First stop is Mt. Morris, NY for fuel and McDonalds.

After lunch we head for Mechanicsburg, PA, stopping for bathroom break and a cold beer at Green Shingle.

After we check in to hotel

we head to Texas Road House for dinner, steaks, peanuts and beer and silliness ensues.

One un-named biker celebrates his birthday with a ride on the saddle greeted by a big "Texas Roadhouse" Yee-Haw!

Friday May 22, 2009

After enjoying complimentry continental breakfast, we are entertaind by un-named biker working on his brand new 2009 Harley first thing in the morning....Good thing he has tools and a pit crew!

Upon arrival in Gettysburg, PA we are greeted by Abe Lincoln himself........

We visit the battlefields of gettysburg..............

Never stand in front of a loaded cannon!

That afternoon the crew split into two groups, one bunked out in LaPlata, and mine in Springfield, VA. Since we didnt have a Garman or Tom-Tom we quickly found our hotel and took a dip by the pool, while the other group was still stuck on I-495!

We GASSED-UP with some Coronas and Buritos.............

That evening we cruised downtown to visit Thunder Alley vendors and visit the Wall. This is the first time I visited at sundown and it was a solemn site.

After dark we witnessed the arrival of the "Torch of Freedom" led by a group of Gold Star Mothers and Blue Star Mothers.

Saturday May 23, 2009

We make a side trip to Arlington Cemetery and pay our respects to Niagara Falls soldier Aram Bass' gravesite decorated with a small flag for the Memorial day holiday.

We then visit the grave of Ltc Matt Urban, Medal of Honor recipient and most decorated soldier of WWII who was a native of Buffalo, NY. www.arlingtoncemetery.net/murban.htm

At noontime we visited the "Tomb of the Unknown Soldier" and witnessed the changing of the guard.

The day ended with another dip in the pool, more Coronas, more Buritos, more Gas.

Sunday May 24, 2009

We ride out early, and get some good parking on 23rd st, one of our more knowledgeable riders had a clever way to protect their motorcycle from being stolen........

Across from the Wall is the statue of the soldier and his buddies,

On the other side on Constituiton Ave is "Thunder Alley" where you can find an
ex-soldier and his new buddies!

Also visiting Thunder Alley was Michelle Smith host of the Speed channel's American Thunder.

As the Rolling Thunder parade starts you can see the Saluting marine, he holds his salute to the veterans for the entire parade. I dont know how he does it but try this link to learn more about him and his tradition. rollingthunderpachapter7.com/sarge.html notice the flowers at his feet.

After about an hour, all the bikes look alike and youve seen all your going to see, so once you seen the POW in the bamboo cage you can then leave knowing you didnt miss anything.....

The group heads out for home, with a stop overnight, but I seperate and head down to Irongate, VA to visit and old Army buddy on mine. On the way I meet a nice Virgina State trooper who offers me advice on the dangers of traveling at 80mph, it was advice well taken.

Monday 25, 2009

My buddy cooks me breakfast that morning before I head back to Washington. This causes his wife to laugh uncontrolably, my buddy has been retired for about a week, so he is bored enough to cook.

I drove thru about 2 hours of rain on my way to Silversprings Maryland. I finally get to meet my wounded warrior friend who has been in Walter Reed Hospital for more than a year recovering from a severe leg injury he recieved in Iraq. I presented him with a souvenier "Rolling Thunder" T-Shirt

Read a news article about Michael www.buffalonews.com/cityregion/story/396274.html

download and watch recent news video of Michael walking
cid-165f0bbf77d64f9c.skydrive.live.com/self.aspx/Michael/WRAMC%7C_TV1.wmv

I later dined on Pizza, and checked into the Days Inn for the night.

Tuesday May 26, 2009

Woke up to pouring rain, loaded the bike and headed out about 8:30 AM, rode about 100 miles to Breezewood, PA and had breakfast. Rode straight thru to Buffalo in about 9 1/2 hours total which was at least 5 hours of rain. Total miles for the trip was about 1550 miles total. I had a great time and accomplished everything I had planned. The group I rode with were fun and entertaining. I rode home alone without a Garman and didnt get lost once! Can't wait till next year.

dctrip

dctrip

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