Armed Forces Day Weekend

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Are you aware of Armed Forces Day...
Many Americans are not familiar with the holiday unless they are a veteran or had someone in the military service. It is celebrated on 15 May of each year. Saturday was the day this year. The Ohio Valley Chapter of the Indiana Society Sons of the American Revolution conducted a meeting on Saturday and marked the day by displaying flags of each of the five major branches of our Armed Forces.

TSGS member Don Counts was at that SAR meeting. Don is also a member of the Indiana Patriot Guard Riders - members attend military funerals at the request of the families to ensure that protestors are kept away from the funeral ceremony. We do live in strange times! Don went after our morning meeting with the Patriot Guard to tour cemeteries where soldiers that were killed in action are buried in southwestern Indiana.

Don served in the U.S. Marines and is shown above wearing his Patriot Guard shirt saluting the U.S. Flag at our SAR meeting in Willard Library.

- Photo taken by JGWest
- Submitted by Don Counts

"Red Cross Heroes"

Don Counts standing at a funeral home for those who stood for us!

Our Heroes for the American Red Cross Program

(below is what was printed in the program):

Patriot Guard Riders - Military Award Winner
Heroes never forget. They roar in, a pack of motorcycle riders determined to remember. They are the voice of fallen soldiers. They are the strong arm for families to lean on. They are the men and women that boldly fly our country's flag, no matter if it is at a soldier's funeral or a welcome home celebration. The Patriot Guard Riders mission is clear: display an unwavering respect for those who risk their lives for America's freedom and security. Members don't care what kind of bike you ride, or even if you ride, the only prerequisite for membership - respect for our country and the men and women serving it. It's a group of people that set all political views aside and rally together when a soldier does not make it home. They attend funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family and sometimes must shield those same families from interruptions created by protestors. The Patriot Guard Riders make remembering each and every service member's sacrifice their personal mission and civilian duty. Each member will tell you they ride to serve those who serve and honor the honorable. Heroes never forget.