Patriot Guard Riders New York
Who We Are
PGRNY is a diverse group of patriots who come together to show respect and support to US service members, honorably discharged veterans, first responders, and their families by standing flag lines and providing escorts at memorial services, only at the request of the family. We also stand flag line for other events honoring veterans and military personnel by request. We do not have meetings, dues, or most of the other membership requirements of other organizations. Many of our members share a love of motorcycles and many are veterans, but neither is a requirement. The only thing our members do have in common is a deep feeling of appreciation of the sacrifices that our military and first responders have made and continue to make.
We are a 501(c)(3) nonprofit and 100% volunteer organization. Any donations received go directly to members of the Armed Services, veterans, families of deployed service members, and Gold Star families in need through our Help on the Homefront (HOTH) programs: Veteran's Financial Assistance Program and Veteran's Transition Assistance Program. A small portion of the funds raised goes to the families of veterans in the form of a plaque at memorial services.
Our Veterans Recovery Program has provided honor and respect to those who have served this country, by securing a final resting place for forgotten heroes.
Request A PGRNY Mission
"Standing For Those Who Stood For US"
Missions are one of the ways Patriot Guard Riders New York, Inc. (PGRNY) show support for US service members, veterans, and their families.
Missions vary greatly and can include standing flag lines or providing escorts to veterans for such diverse events as calling hours, gravesite services, the return home of veterans on Honor Flights and active military personnel from overseas assignments, as well as for ceremonies honoring veterans, etc. It is our honor to attend these missions and there are no fees or expenses incurred by the requesting family or organization.
Funeral Mission Requests
Event Mission Requests
Covid Information
Updated: 15, May 2024
The CDC has changed its COVID-19 protocol recommendations for 2024, updating them to reflect the changing severity and transmission of the virus. Please click here for the latest information and continue to practice common sense distancing protocols while in enclosed locations.
PGRNY Current Missions
(For a listing of past Missions, please visit our COMPLETED MISSIONS page.)
- R1/2, Short Notice NOA Honor Mission - Dwaine Corey Mott, US Navy, Cold War Era Veteran, Thu., 12/05/2024, Corfu, NY
- R1/2, Short Notice NOA Honor Mission - James L. Torrence, US Navy, Vietnam Era Veteran, Thu., 12/05/2024, Corfu, NY
- R3, HOTH Mission - Snowball Express Sendoff, Sat., 12/07/2024, Syracuse, NY
- R3, HOTH Mission - Wreaths Across America Key Exchange Ceremony, Fri., 12/06/2024, East Syracuse, NY
- R4/5, HOTH Mission - Wreaths Across America - Saratoga National Cemetery, Sat., 12/14/2024, Schuylerville, NY
- R4/5, HOTH Mission - Wreaths Across America - Westerlo Rural Cemetery, Sat., 12/14/2024, Westerlo, NY
- R4/5, Unofficial Mission - Veterans Miracle Center Dedication Ceremony, Wed., 12/11/2024, Albany, NY
- R8/9, Honor Mission - Donald H. Schultz, US Navy, WW II and Korean War Veteran, Tue., 12/03/2024, Calverton, NY
- R8/9, Special Mission - 83rd Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Remembrance and Dropping of the Roses, Sat., 12/7/2024, Farmingdale, NY
Thank You Notes
For a complete listing of all Thank You Notes, visit the Thank You Notes page found in our navigation.
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R1/2 Honor Mission - Milton Henry Stiles
From the family of Milton Henry Stiles
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R4/5 Honor Mission, Donald S. Zorichak
Thank you note from the family of Donald S. Zorichak.
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R1/2 Honor Mission, Robert G. Harrington
From the family of Robert G Harrington.
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R1/2 Honor Mission, John H. Schlesing
The Schlesing family wanted to thank you for being part of his Military Honors. He would have been very proud, I know we were. Thank you so much in honoring our father, for his service to this fine country. My dads service so beautiful, on 12/4/2023. Wendy...
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R1/2 Honor Mission - Edward E. Schubert
From the family of Edward E Schubert
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R4/5 Honor Mission - Nataleno J Reo
From the Family of Nataleno (Ned) J Reo
Announcements
For a complete listing of all Announcements, visit the Announcements page found in our navigation.
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Region 9 Announces RC Michael Osip
Mike Osip has been doing RC duties as a temporary Ride Captain and filling in Region 9 for two years. He has handled many missions with pride and respect. It is a pleasure to make him a permanent Ride Captain for Region 9. He is also a member of the Calverton Committee which sets up the ceremonies and...
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Region 1 Announces RC James Drzewiecki
James Drzewiecki is a well respected member of PGRNY and has attended well over 150 missions, as well as performed duties as Acting RC for missions in the Southern Tier area. His family has a military background starting with his grandfather in WWII, to members serving in every conflict to present day;...
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Region 3 Announces RC Tracey Lowe
Tracey Lowe has been a member of the PGR since 2012, she is ex army (5 years) currently works at Fort Drum as an Occupational Safety and Health Specialist. She is also the past Commander of the Clayton American Legion, and current Adjutant. Tracey is Treasurer of the Alexandria Bay Legion Riders,...
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Region 4 Announces RC Jim "Fuzzy" Marshall
Jim "Fuzzy" Marshall Fuzzy (Jim) has had the pleasure of serving the PGR in Georgia since 2019, were he was a Mentor, Ride Captain and Assistant State Captain for the Northwest Region prior to moving to Chestertown NY. Prior to that, Fuzzy served in the US Navy Submarine service for Five (5)...
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2023- VA Homeless Veteran Programs
Many of you may know that the primary mission of the Patriot Guard Riders is to stand for our fallen military veterans, law enforcement officers and first responders. We accomplish this by participating in funeral services, doing so strictly as invited guests of the immediate family. We stand with...
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Region 6 Announces RC Pamela Rhodes
We are honored to announce the appointment of Pamela Rhodes as a Ride Captain for Region 6 of PGRNY. Pamela has been a member since 2018 when she became familiar with PGR at Saratoga National Cemetery. "To be asked to represent as Ride Captain is a role I take to heart and will do my best for each...
Our News
PGR Legislative Resolution - Sen. Jacob Ashby
To view the presentation, scrub in to approximately 7 minutes and 30 seconds of the following YouTube video: https://youtu.be/UdRkajEFTiM?t=434
Senate Resolution No. 2239
BY: Senator ASHBY
RECOGNIZING the Patriot Guard Riders of New York for their Honor Missions in March of 2024, which consisted of funeral escort services and flag lines for the memorials of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski and Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Grassia III
WHEREAS, It is the custom of this Legislative Body to pay tribute to citizens of the State of New York whose lifework and civic endeavor served to enhance the quality of life in their communities and this great Empire State; and
WHEREAS, Attendant to such concern, and in full accord with its long- standing traditions, this Legislative Body is justly proud to recognize the Patriot Guard Riders of New York for their Honor Missions In March of 2024, which consisted of funeral escort services and flag lines for the memorials of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski and Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Grassia III in Rensselaer and Schenectady, New York; and
WHEREAS, Patriot Guard Riders was founded in 2005 to shield families of fallen heroes from those that would disrupt the services of their loved ones; although originally founded in Kansas, the organization has grown to include thousands of members across all 50 states in the U.S.; New York State began organizing its sect in 2006 and became a non-profit corporation in 2010; and
WHEREAS, The mission of Patriot Guard Riders is to attend the funeral services and stand flag lines for military members, veterans, and first responders as invited guests of the family, to show respect and gratitude for those who served, as well as support their families; the organization's flag lines may be present at airport arrivals, funeral homes, churches, dignified transfers, and at burials or internments; and
WHEREAS, The current New York State Captain Bill Schaaf's and
Assistant State Captain Ray Sestak's commitment to honoring the fallen and all wounded veterans and first responders is beyond compare; and where their countless endeavors also include raising funds for Wreaths
Across America, and most importantly, organizing civilian volunteers to place wreaths in National Cemeteries; and
WHEREAS, Patriot Guard Riders of New York supports the military, veterans, and Blue and Gold Star New York State families through its Help On The Homefront (HOTH) program; this esteemed organization honors those "forgotten" veterans who have no family to claim their remains by securing a final resting place and arranging for a full military funeral through its Veteran Recovery Program; and
WHEREAS, It is the sense of this Legislative Body that when individuals and organizations of such noble aims and accomplishments are brought to our attention, they should be celebrated and recognized by all the citizens of this great Empire State; now, therefore, be it
RESOLVED, That this Legislative Body pause in its deliberations to recognize the Patriot Guard Riders of New York for their Honor Missions in March of 2024, which consisted of funeral escort services and flag lines for the memorials of Chief Warrant Officer 2 Casey Frankoski and Chief Warrant Officer 2 John Grassia III in Rensselaer and Schenectady, New York; and be it further
RESOLVED, That a copy of this Resolution, suitably engrossed, be
transmitted to Patriot Guard Riders of New York.
Acknowledgements
Rep. Zeldin Honors Patriot Guard Riders on House Floor. On April 12, 2018, Congressman Lee Zeldin (R, NY-1) honored the Patriot Guard Riders from Long Island and across the United States on the floor of the House of Representatives.
On August 15, 2015, the 70th anniversary of VJ Day, the Patriot Guard Riders of New York were honored to present a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery. To make this an even greater honor, we were accompanied and assisted by Dr Tom Smith, Sal Famularo and Francis "Dick" Varone, US Marine Corps veterans of WWII, participants in many battles in Pacific Theater of Operations, including the Battle of Iwo Jima.
It's not about us...
However, we received recognition for our efforts in the form of a proclamation from Sulfolk County Legislator Leslie Kennedy, 12th District. Patriot Guard Riders of New York attended and stood honoring Daniel Pierce, USAF on November 5, 2020. There was no known family to see him to his final rest. PGRNY was asked to stand and honor him as part of his family.
Thank you Legislator Leslie Kennedy.
Honoring and being Honored...
PGRNY arrived at Ernie Pyle Center with our flags ready to stand a flag line but were asked to put them back in our bikes - "We have this one," we were told by the 1174th Deployment & Distribution Battalion Honor Guard, Fort Totten, NY.
We were invited to take seats in the front of the hall, that we were guests of honor today.
Toward the end of the Retirement Ceremony, we were asked to come up to the front to accept a Certificate of Appreciation from the Battalion, which was accepted on behalf of Patriot Guard Riders across the country.
Thank you on behalf of all PGR!