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
Based on the most current COVID-19 Prevention Guidelines: Protect Yourself and Your Family from COVID-19, and CDC Guidelines of 3 March 2022, going forward, the Lead Ride Captain for any mission will be responsible for determining whether PGR members will have to mask up or not. Please ensure that you have a mask with you, should the need arise, and respect the LRC’s decision in these matters.
PGRNY Current Missions
(For a listing of past Missions, please visit our COMPLETED MISSIONS page.)
- R1/2, Honor Mission - William A. McGrath, Jr., US Marine Corps Veteran, Fri.-Sat., 12/01-02/2023, Rochester, NY
- R1/2, HOTH Mission - William Gosch, US Marine Corps, WW II Veteran, 100th Birthday Celebration, Sat., 12/09/2023, North Tonawanda, NY
- R1/2, HOTH Mission - Wreaths Across America - Oakwood Cemetery, Sat., 12/16/2023, Niagara Falls, NY
- R1/2, HOTH Mission - Wreaths Across America, Western New York National Cemetery, All Military Branches, Sat., 12/16/2023 - Corfu, N.Y.
- R1/2, Short Notice Honor Mission - John H. Schlesing, US Air Force, Vietnam Veteran, Mon., 12/04/2023, Williamson, NY
- R1/2, Special Mission - Blue Star Mothers Lights of Honor Tree Lighting, Sun., 12/03/2023, Rochester, NY
- R2/3, HOTH Mission - Snowball Express Sendoff, Sat., 12/02/2023, Syracuse, NY
- R4/5, Honor Mission - Charles J. Lutz, US Marine Corps, Vietnam Veteran, Mon., 12/04/2023, Watervliet - Schuylerville, NY
- R4/5, Honor Mission - Edward J. Gadrick, US Army Air Forces, WW II Veteran, Wed., 12/06/2023, Hudson Falls, NY
- R4/5, UPDATED - Honor Mission - Harold J. Allen, US Navy Reserve-US Air Force-NYANG (Ret.), Mon., 12/04/2023, Queensbury - Schuylerville, NY
- R6/7/8/9, Honor Mission - Angelo S. Pignataro, US Navy, Korean War Veteran, Wed., 12/06/2023, Port Chester - Rye, NY
- R7/8/9, HOTH Mission - Wreaths Across America - Long Island National Cemetery, Sat., 12/16/2023, Farmingdale, NY
- R7/8/9, Special Mission - Snowball Express Sendoff, Families of First Responders, Sat., 12/09/2023, Jamaica, NY
- R7/8/9, Special Mission - Snowball Express Sendoff, Gold Star Families, Sat., 12/02/2023, Jamaica, NY
- R8/9, Short Notice Honor Mission - John S. Brzozinski, US Army, Vietnam Veteran, Sat., 12/02/2023, Babylon - West Babylon, NY
- R8/9, Special Mission - 82nd Anniversary of Pearl Harbor Remembrance and Dropping of the Roses, Thu., 12/07/2023, Farmingdale, NY
- R8/9, Special Mission - Trees For Troops, All Military Branches, Mon., 12/04/2023, Oceanside - Jamaica, NY
Thank You Notes
For a complete listing of all Thank You Notes, visit the Thank You Notes page found in our navigation.
-
R1/2 Honor Mission - Edward E. Schubert
From the family of Edward E Schubert
-
R4/5 Honor Mission - Nataleno J Reo
From the Family of Nataleno (Ned) J Reo
-
R8/9 Honor Mission - Salvatore A. Infantino
Mr. Cohen, I would like to thank you for organizing the PGR to be at my Dad's church service and cemetery service as well as the escort from church to cemetery...a looong drive. Their presence was a wonderful addition and well deserved for a great Navy man as my father. I've attached some photos of your...
-
R8/9 Honor Mission - Hon. Leonard L. Finz
A note from the Family of Hon. Leonard L. Finz
-
R1/2 Honor Mission - William W Greene
From the Family of William W Greene:
-
R1/2 Honor Mission - Kevin J. O'Brien
Received from the family of Kevin J O'Brien
Announcements
For a complete listing of all Announcements, visit the Announcements page found in our navigation.
-
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, where her husband is laid to rest. Her husband was a proud Marine and Gulf War Veteran. Pamela...
-
Wreaths Across America and Patriot Guard Riders Inc. Enter Partnership
Wreaths being laid at Gerald B. Solomon Saratoga National Cemetery by PGRNY members. Announcements Wreaths Across America and Patriot Guard Riders Inc. Enter Partnership (6/21/2023) Nonprofits agree to work together to help support common missions for veterans and their families. COLUMBIA FALLS, Me.,...
-
Holiday Message from our State Captain
Patriot Guard Riders members - here ‘s my fervent wish that everyone had a most joyous Christmas and Hanukkah. That everyone got what was coming to them (?) and that the lumps of coal were kept to a minimum. It’s hard to believe that another year has flown by – that’s the good news and bad news –...
-
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...
-
Region 3 Announces RC Mike Van Ryn
I am pleased to announce Mike Van Ryn as Region 3 newest Ride Captain. Mike has been an active PGR member since 2019 and was recently asked to become a PGR Ride Captain for Region 3. Mike is an USAF Veteran and an American Legion Rider and Officer from Post 787 in Cicero, NY and is currently...
-
Region 4 Announces RC Shirley Gawlak
We are honored to announce the appointment of Shirley Gawlak as Ride Captain for Region 4 of PGRNY. Shirley joined the PGRNY to honor her father a WWII/Korean Army Veteran who had over 25 years in the service and her (late) father-in-law who was also a WWII Veteran. Both her father and my...
Our News
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!
