Letters: Thanks from the Nation of Patriots
On Saturday, July 7, the Nation of Patriots held its third annual Passing the Flag Event at Harley Davidson of Baton Rouge as part of the nationwide Patriot Tour. The tour moves a single American flag through 48 states over a 100-day, 14,000-mile journey by motorcycle enthusiasts. This tour is in honor of U.S. armed forces personnel past, present, fallen; and it raises financial resources for families of wounded veterans. The tour begins in Milwaukee, Wis., on Memorial Day weekend and ends in Milwaukee on Labor Day weekend. Over 100,000 riders are expected to participate in the Patriot Tour nationwide.
For our leg of the tour — Baton Rouge to Lafayette — a full military honors ceremony was conducted to honor our armed forces personnel. The event was attended by armed forces personnel in uniform from the Army, Army National Guard, Navy, Air Force and Marine Corps. The Naval Honor Guard from Naval Air Station New Orleans performed color guard duty for the event. Our guest speakers were Bill Sherer, executive director of the Nation of Patriots, and retired Maj. Gen. Ronald Richard, USMC, president and CEO of the Tiger Athletic Foundation.
On behalf of the Nation of Patriots, I would like to extend our deepest appreciation to all of the armed forces personnel and veterans attending our event. Their service to our nation serves as an example of duty, honor and country to all. The honor they uphold will always touch the lives of each and every American, now and in the future. I would also like to thank retired Maj. Gen. Ronald Richard, USMC, for his service to our great nation and for speaking at our ceremony.
And a special thank you goes out to the Baton Rouge Police Department, Louisiana State Police Troops A and I, the West Baton Rouge Sheriff’s Office and the Iberville Parish Sheriff’s Office for providing safe escort for the 150-plus riders who participated in the transportation of the flag to Lafayette. Also we extend our thanks the Harley Owners Group Baton Rouge Chapter and to all who sponsored, participated, volunteered and helped in some way with our event.
The flag now continues on its journey throughout the United States. You can view the flag’s current location on the website http://www.nationofpatriots.org under the 2012 tour tab.
Godspeed, flag bearers.
Paul Aubert, regional commander
Nation of Patriots/Patriot Tour
Prairieville