HOTH Mission
Buffalo Niagara Honor Flight Mission #15
Send-Off & Welcome Home
All Military Branches
Multi-City - 10/14/2023
Mission applies to the following Region(s):
Region 1, Region 2
About the Mission:
Patriot Guard Riders has been requested to participate in the sendoff and welcome home of Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight Mission #15, as these 52 military heroes and their guardians travel to Washington, DC to visit the various memorials. The PGR has been a part of these very special events for many years, and we are honored to be included.
Primary Staging Date and Staging Time:
10/14/2023 at 3:30 am
Staging Location:
National Fuel Gas Headquarters
6363 Main Street (Route 5)
Williamsville, NY 14221
Click here for map
Acting Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
Don "Cheech" Hayes
Special Covid-19 Mission Guidelines:
Updated 8 March 2022
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.
Special Information:
PGR will stage with a respectful flag line as the veterans and guardians arrive. KSU at 04:30 AM to participate in the escort of the buses to Buffalo Niagara International Airport, arriving at 4:45 AM. There will be a sendoff ceremony inside the airport. Anyone who has participated in the past knows how special these ceremonies are. Everything should be completed by 5:30 AM, concluding this First Stage.
IMPORTANT: Stage One Parking Information: Upon the escort arrival at the airport, Honor Flight buses & support truck will proceed to the upper level (Departures), while PGR cycles and vehicles will peel off to the lower level (Arrivals) and follow the directions of the Transit Police for parking. Please pay attention to the Lead Ride Captain's instructions and details during the briefing at National Fuel Headquarters.
Very Important: Honor Flight officials have respectfully requested that no political flags, banners, etc. be displayed on any vehicle during the escort.
Please be prepared with a clean 3x5 American or military branch flag, dress for the weather, and ensure your large flags are securely attached. Thank you very much for devoting some early morning hours to help honor and provide a special send-off for these Heroes and their guardians.
Is there a Second Stage to this Mission?
yes
Second Staging Date and Staging Time:
10/14/2023 at 09:15pm
Second Location:
Buffalo Niagara International Airport
4200 Genesee Street (Route 33)
Buffalo, NY 14225
Click here for map
Second Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
Richard "Dixie" Hancock
Second Stage - Special Information:
PGR will stage inside the airport with a respectful flag line in preparation for arrival and welcome home of the veterans, guardians and Honor Flight staff. Southwest Flight #444 is scheduled to arrive at 9:55 PM.
IMPORTANT: Stage Two Parking Information: Upon your arrival at the airport (09:15 - 09:30 PM), please proceed to the upper level (Departures), and follow the directions of the Transit Police for parking. Then proceed into the airport to provide a flag line for arrival of the heroes and their guardians. Please stay alert for possible updates to this Stage Two information.
Please be prepared with a clean 3x5 American or military branch flag, dress for the weather, and ensure your large flags are securely attached. Following the welcome home, Buffalo-Niagara Honor Flight officials have requested an escort back to National Fuel Gas Headquarters.
Thank you very much for devoting some late night hours to welcome home these Heroes and their guardians upon their return from their special trip.
Please be safe and aware during this late-night Mission.
Is there a Third Stage to this Mission?
no
Submitted by:
Don Higgins, SRC, Region-1
BM - 10/08; MER
