PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Heat

Tue Jun 16 01:06:52 CDT 2009

Ladies and Gentlemen,

As you can see from the itineraries posted this evening, the weather
forecast is calling for some high temperatures this week and we have been
experiencing some high humidity to go along with them lately.  I'd like
everyone to please be aware of this when preparing for a mission.

Unless you were born and raised on the surface of the sun, you need to take
precautions for activity in the summer months in North Texas.  It's just a
fact of life.  It might be one thing to be able to go to a mission at DFW
National Cemetery in an air conditioned vehicle, leave the vehicle a minute
or two before the service starts, stand in the shade of the shelter for 20
minutes and then return to the air conditioned vehicle and leave - but
that's not what we're faced with.

We've usually gotten on motorcycles and ridden in the sun, including the
heat of the bike and the reflected heat off of the pavement for a pretty
good while in order to get there, even for an interment only mission.  We
then stood around in the sun waiting for the opportunity to go and unwrap
the flags and put them in the ground, followed by standing tall and
silent.in the sun.as the service occurs, then standing some more as the
family departs, followed by rolling the flags, chatting for a few minutes,
getting back on the motorcycles and repeating that ride in the heat all over
again to get to our next destination.  It gets more taxing if we add a
procession and a funeral into the day, sometimes putting us outside all day
long unless we happen to go into the church or funeral home to use the rest
room or have the chance to go into a fast food place for a few minutes to
grab a bite and cool off for a minute.  We also have on boots, long pants, a
helmet for most while we're riding, a vest, etc.

You see where I'm going with this.  When you think about it, the cumulative
amount of time we're outside and exposed to the heat and sun can really add
up.  We must take care of ourselves and each other.  We must take our
hydration and our time in the sun very seriously.  This includes deciding
whether or not we even ride our bikes when it's excessively hot.  Being out
in the heat may be OK for short periods but maybe we need to get back in the
A/C after the mission rather than riding that additional hour or more back
home.  Only you can make that decision but I ask that you please consider
all the options when thinking about coming to a mission.

Do all the things you're supposed to do.  Hydrate the night before and don't
forget about the electrolyte enhanced drinks.  Water is great and absolutely
necessary but sometimes it's not enough.  Water not only in you, but on you,
is helpful.  Use all the tricks you know.  It is not a disgrace to have to
step out of a flag line and get in the shade or even go somewhere to get
inside.  You are not shaming the family or the military person we are
honoring.  I can assure you that they would want you to do this.  I have had
to do it myself.  I felt bad about it but I had to do it and I'm glad my PGR
friends made me do it.  Take that vest off.  Do what you have to do and ask
for help.  If you're thirsty, you already are behind in your water intake.
That is a fact, not a theory.  As much as we may hate to admit it,
especially to ourselves, they older we get the harder it is on us.another
fact.

Here is a test to see if anybody read down this far.especially the ride
captains.

As of now, I would ask that the Ride Captains not stand in the flag lines.
I would like the "extra" ride captains at missions to be constantly
circulating and checking on people.  Please be handing out water.  Be
talking to the riders.  Riders - one reason they do this is the check and
see if you are disoriented or sluggish in any way, a sign of dehydration.
All of this can be done quietly and discretely during a mission.  Ride
Captains, learn your first aid for someone getting too hot, be it a rider or
a mourner.

Flag truck drivers or others responsible for providing water:  As of now,
please start bringing too much.  Bring too much iced down water and too much
ice.  If you've ever seen heat exhaustion or an actual heat stroke, you'll
know why.  If you need extra water, including the areas outside of the
metroplex are such as Wichita Falls, Sherman, etc., let me know and we will
arrange to get you some.  If funds to purchase ice are a problem, let Mike
or Sparky or Ted Beauchamp or Gene and Sharon know and they can contact me.

Riders - you have to help out, too.  Take a bottle of water with you to the
flag line.  If you need to come out of your vest, do it.  If you want to
pour the water over your head, do it.  If you want to wear a pair of riding
pants over a pair of shorts and stand in the line in a pair of shorts, do
it.  If you want to carry a misting bottle with you or wear a camel back and
constantly drink water that way, do it.  If you need to sit down, do it.

Let's not have any heat related casualties.  I think we can probably prevent
most of them if we are alert and we try.

Please, please take care of yourselves and be safe.  You are the only one of
you that there is and there will never be another.  We need you and the
families we serve need you.

Thank you all.

Steve Lucas

Deputy State Captain

North Texas PGR
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