VFWMG UNIT 4-4149 ACTIVITY REPORT 

Veterans Day, 2006

The Group once again attended the annual program presented by Rusk Elementary of Midland.  This year the attendance was upwards of 1,000 Veterans.  Following their program lunch is provided and we sit with the classes and share our stories of military service.  The children love the motorcycles and we are anxious to let them sit on them, or ride with us if given permission by their parents.   It’s a great event, held every Veterans Day.   If you have to time and can make the ride to Midland, it would be worth it. 
        
We make sure to hand out American flags to the young people we see.  We promote both Voice of Democracy and Patriot Pen.  Two of the grandchildren of one of our members are competing for 2007-2008.  We always make room for a young rider at the events if they want to ride.   We are sure to give appropriate demonstration in motorcycle safety.

Several members of the Group place flags on Veteran's graves and visited the VA Hospital in Big Springs.

Also, in observance of Veterans Day, our Post provided free hot dogs with all the trimmings, all day long. 
We showed up and helped ourselves to a plate and then did the clean up. 

Patriot Guard Riders

Many of the members of VFWMG 4-4149 are active with the Patriot Guard Riders.  We have participated in approximately 15 funerals over the West Texas area as escorts.  Additionally, we have provided security, food and flowers to the families. We provide helpful information concerning V.A. benefits as well as the VFW and it's programs, such as, the Military Assistance Program.  There is media coverage on many of the rides.  We gain very positive exposure of our Group and the VFW  as a result. 

In December, we once again were called upon to escort the body of a fallen soldier who "gave all" in Operation Iraqi Freedom.  The group traveled to Big Spring, TX to honor SPC Robert James "RJ" Volker and his family as he reached his final resting place.  

2006 Christmas Toy Run  

In a combined effort with other area groups we gathered and delivered toys for West Texas Area children to be presented at Christmas. It was amazing the outpouring of generousity displayed by the private sector as well as the businesses in the area.    We accumulated over 80 bicycles  along with a multitude of other toys.  It was a great event and we would proud to be a part of raising over $100,000 worth of toys for the children for Christmas. 

Christmas for our Veterans Home

We didn't forget our Veterans when it came to Christmas.   We made the ride to Lamon Lusk Sanchez Veterans Home in Big Spings, loaded down with goodies.   iT WAS A VERY SPECIAL DAY FOR US ALL !  The word is getting out that we are an active group and were ask by other groups if they could join us.  Of course, we were honored for them to ride with us and the Veterans at the home were pleased to see so many bikes and riders.

We are all brothers - Darrell (Kojak) Thornton, our Chaplain, welcomes a rider to join us.

This many bikes make quiet a little noise - the residents knew Santa Clause had showed up for the day.

We have an amazing good time . . . . . can you tell?

TempleGuyse is one of our Post members that traveled with us this day.   Temple has been very ill, but got up and made the trip despite the way he was feeling.   That's what the "gift of giving" is all about. 

Mr. Samson had obviously been on the "good list".  He got his very own handmade throw for Christmas.  It was made for him by . . . who else . . . a member of the VFWMG Unit 4-4149. 

We would never take all the credit.   As you can tell the ladies were there to spread a little cheer.

We were so please to be able to join with the other local groups and provide a big screen television to the Veterans as our Christmas gift.  Something they can all enjoy for a long time.   Tis the Season !!

It is said "a picture is worth a thousand words".  We agree!  This veteran was glad we came and so were we.