HOTH Mission
Leatherstocking Honor Flight
Sendoff and Welcome Home
All Military Branches
Multi-City, NY - 10/04/2025
Mission applies to the following Region(s):
Region 4, Region 5
About the Mission:
The Leatherstocking Honor Flight Committee has once again invited Patriot Guard Riders to take a lead role in coordinating the various motorcycle escorts of our honored veterans to the Albany International Airport for the sendoff and welcome home of their Honor Flight. As you may know, the airport is still undergoing major reconstruction. To avoid congestion during the arrival and offloading phase, the escort groups are scheduled to arrive at varying times between 06:20 and 06:40 am. The sendoff ceremony begins at 07:00 am.
Members staging directly at the airport should bring a clean, 3 x 5 American Flag and form a flag line at the direction of the Ride Captain assigned to that location.
These escorts are open to any and all individual motorcyclist, motorcycle clubs and organizations. If you are an experienced group rider and would like to join in an escort, please review each of the staging locations below to determine which may be best for you. Also please review the map of the assigned airport parking location with the link below. Non-riders (cagers) staging directly at the airport are requested to park in the Short Term Parking area.
Primary Staging Date and Staging Time:
10/04/2025 at 06:00 am
Staging Location:
Albany International Airport
737 Albany Shaker Road
Colonie, NY 12211
Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
Ray Sestak
518-669-3358
Special Information:
Staging at the airport with a flag line at the Baggage Claim area entry for the arrival of the veterans and guardians. When all guests have arrived, the flag line will re-form in the area to the audience's right for the sendoff ceremony at 07:00 am.
Click for map to motorcycle only parking
Is there a Second Stage to this Mission?
yes
Second Staging Date and Staging Time:
10/04/2025 at 05:45am
Second Location:
Sam's Club
Latham Farms Shopping Center
579 Troy Schenectady Road
Latham, NY 12110
Second Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
Bill Schaaf
518-542-0608
Second Stage - Special Information:
Riders will stage for the escort of the veterans and guardians. KSU at 06:05 for an 06:20 airport arrival time. Travel route is via Route 7 to Albany Shaker Road. At the airport, all riders are to park in the TSA Loading Dock area, just past the Baggage Claim entrance. Please park as far away from the loading dock as possible, as directed by LEO. After arrival, all are asked to join the flag line inside.
Click for map to motorcycle only parking
Is there a Third Stage to this Mission?
yes
Third Staging Date and Staging Time:
10/04/2025 at 05:45am
Third Location:
CDTA Park and Ride
Malta Commons
100 Saratoga Village Blvd.
Malta, NY 12020
Third Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
James "Fuzzy" Marshall
Third Stage - Special Information:
Riders will stage for the escort of veterans and guardians. KSU at 06:05 for an 06:25 airport arrival time. Travel route is via Route 87 (Northway), to Albany Shaker Road. Riders please ensure that your flags are fastened securely for travel at highway speeds. At the airport, all riders are to park in the TSA Loading Dock area, just past the Baggage Claim entrance. Please park as far away from the loading dock as possible, as directed by LEO. After arrival, all are asked to join the flag line inside.
Click for map to motorcycle only parking
Is there a Fourth Stage to this Mission?
yes
Fourth Staging Date and Staging Time:
10/04/2025 at 05:30am
Fourth Location:
CDTA Park and Ride
5501 Route 30
Amsterdam, NY 12010
Across Minaville Rd from the Super 8
Fourth Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
Paul Orzolek
Fourth Stage - Special Information:
Riders will stage for the escort of veterans and guardians. KSU at 05:50 for an 06:30 airport arrival time. Travel route is via Route 5S, 890, Route 7 and Albany Shaker Road. At the airport, all riders are to park in the TSA Loading Dock area, just past the Baggage Claim entrance. Please park as far away from the loading dock as possible, as directed by LEO. After arrival, all are asked to join the flag line inside.
Click for map to motorcycle only parking
Is there a Fifth Stage to this Mission?
yes
Fifth Staging Date and Staging Time:
10/04/2024 at 05:30 am
Fifth Location:
Schoharie Park & Ride (off exit 23 of I-88)
239 Rt. 30-A
Schoharie, NY 12157
Click here for map
Fifth Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
Steve Oliver
American Legion Riders
Helderberg Post 977
Fifth Stage - Special Information:
Riders will stage for an escort of veterans and guardians. KSU at 05:50 for an 06:35 airport arrival time. Riders please ensure that your flags are fastened securely for travel at highway speeds. At the airport, all riders are to park in the TSA Loading Dock area, just past the Baggage Claim entrance. Please park as far away from the loading dock as possible, as directed by LEO. After arrival, all are asked to join the flag line inside.
Click for map to motorcycle only parking
Is there a Sixth Stage to this Mission?
yes
Sixth Staging Date and Staging Time:
10/04/2024 at 05:20 am
Sixth Location:
Vermont Veterans Home
325 North Street
Bennington, VT 05201
Sixth Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
Paul Yerke
American Legion Riders
Bennington Post 13
Sixth Stage - Special Information:
Riders will stage for an escort of veterans and guardians. KSU at 05:40 am for an 06:35 airport arrival time. Riders please ensure that your flags are fastened securely for travel at highway speeds. At the airport, all riders are to park in the TSA Loading Dock area, just past the Baggage Claim entrance. Please park as far away from the loading dock as possible, as directed by LEO. After arrival, all are asked to join the flag line inside.
Click for map to motorcycle only parking
Is there a Seventh Stage to this Mission?
yes
Seventh Staging Date and Staging Time:
10/04/2024 at 09:20 pm
Seventh Location:
Albany International Airport
737 Albany Shaker Road
Colonie, NY 12211
Seventh Lead Ride Captain and Contact Info:
Ray Sestak
518-669-3358
Seventh Stage - Special Information:
Due to ongoing construction at the airport, members will stage in the lower level, under direction of the Ride Captain. Flight ETA is 09:45 pm
Submitted by:
Ray Sestak; MER
09/23
