PGR_NTX Patriot Guard Medal Of Honor Festivities, Apr 8-10, 2010 Gainesville, TX

[Mission Information For North Texas PGR]

Other MOH Events the Riders May Find of Interest



On Thursday, April 8, 2010 there will be a Bar-B-Que supper and social at the North Central Texas College field house starting at 6:30 PM.  This event is open to the public and is a big meet-and-greet for the public and the recipients.  This catered event is $10 per plate and Medal of Honor Host City merchandise will be available to purchase there.  This is a wonderful opportunity for anyone who was unable to participate in the escort to meet the recipients, chat with them and eat some Bar-B-Que.

On Friday, April 9, 2010, at 2:00 PM a tree planting will be held in Gainesville to honor the recipients.  Each time a recipient visits Gainesville for the first time, a tree is planted by the city in their name.  Three recipients will be coming to Gainesville for the first time this year and red oak trees will be planted and dedicated in their honor by placement of an engraved granite plaque at Gainesville's Homegrown Hero Walking Trail.  This event is open to the public.

Also on Friday, April 9, 2010 is the annual banquet to honor the recipients.  This is held at the Gainesville Civic Center at 6:30 PM.  Individual tickets are $25 each.  A table for 10 people can be purchased for $250 and a recipient table for 8 people can be purchased for $500.  The city of Gainesville can be contacted for further information.  Tickets are expected to go on sale mid-February.  SOLD OUT!!!

The parade is already a PGR mission and scheduled for Saturday morning, April 10.  Details on that will be forthcoming soon.  From 1:30 - 3:30 PM on Saturday a book signing will be held at the Gainesville Civic Center.  The book signing is open to the public and Medal of Honor Host City merchandise will be for sale.  In previous years the number of items the recipients will sign has been limited and restricted to one "outside" item and one item purchased from the Medal of Honor Host City committee - such as the Medal of Honor book.  Information about that is not available at this time but please anticipate that something along those lines will be the case this year also.

As you can see there are many opportunities to meet, escort, shake hands with, have your photo taken with, and obtain autographs from some of our nation's greatest heroes.  With the exception of their annual reunion or a Presidential inauguration, this is probably one of the largest (if not THE largest) gatherings of Medal of Honor recipients you will ever find.  To read what these men have accomplished and then to meet them in person is a treat.  And I can assure you that they are looking forward to seeing you.  Last year they could not stop talking about the escort from the airport and the great friends they had made with the riders.

And as we suffered a tragedy last year with the death of fellow rider Gary Maddux while on his way home after the escort to Gainesville, they also suffered.  When the recipients learned of Gary's death they each signed a Medal of Honor book with a personal inscription to Gary's family.  At their banquet, there is a time set aside where they solemnly honor the recipients who have passed in the prior 12 months and they included Gary in that ceremony, just as they do one of their own.  One of the recipients, Col. Don "Doc" Ballard delayed his departure so that he could attend Gary's interment and represent the recipients by personally presenting that signed book during the ceremony to Gary's widow.

These are men that you will want to meet.  When you have read their stories and met them face to face you will walk away very glad that you did.

Respectfully submitted,

Randy "Coach " Roberts

Bill "Rotorhead" Holcomb
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