American Legion Riders Post 104
PGR Ride for CW2 Kyle Jackson
22 January 2006, Sarasota, Florida
| Saturday morning, 21 January, ALR Director Big Bob McGann, Joe Arms and Lowell St. Cyr made a trip to Manatee County where we talked with other ALR chapters about demonstrating a show of support for fallen hero CW2 Jackson. I talked with my friends in the local ABATE chapter and let them know what we were planning and that if they wanted to meet up and ride down to Sarasota together they could meet us at Biff Burgers at 10 am. |
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We rode together to Sarasota and hitched up with bikers from all over the state in the staging area. I think everyone of us was impressed by the showing of solidarity when we got there. A conservative estimate of the total number of bikes that came was 270. |
| There were bikers from all over the state. They came from Jacksonville, Miami, Wildwood, Alabama and Georgia. A wide variety of clubs were represented, including, Vietnam Veterans MC, Nam Knights MC, US Military Vet MC, not to mention our own Post 104 ALR. We outnumber the protestors by at least 50 to one. It was an impressive showing of strength. |
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We came with one mission in mind, to show our support of the troops and honor a fallen comrade. The local newspaper reported that about nine protestors showed up from Fred Phelps hate group the Westboro Baptist Church. I never saw them, but when I was talking to one of the state troopers he said they were contained by the front gate and that they had parked a huge bus in front of their protest area. |
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The group in the photo to the left rode all the way from Miami. It was a long ride but they all seemed to be glad to be there and humbled by the massive turnout. |
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Clayton Murphy, the Florida State Road Captain briefed everyone before the ride. He did a great job. He coordinated our ride with the Local Law Enforcement and was in contact with the family of CW2 Jackson. |
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| After assemblying peacefully at the cemetary the riders kept a respectful distance until before the services began. Then we formed a line around the mourners protecting their privacy |
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| After the services the veterans of the PGR saddled up and went back to where they came from. It was missioned accomplished. |
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CW2 Kyle Jackson was laid to rest with full military honors and with the respect he was due. It was an emotional experience for everyone who attended. Each of us from PGR and the American Legion Riders Post 104 was honored to serve and recognize CW2 Jackson and his families sacrifice. |