I went by and got Russ and we rode together out to the Wichita Falls Municipal Airport. Here's Russ as we head East down the Kell Freeway (US82).
Russ as we head up and over the overpass to merge with Northbound US287.
The Downtown District of Wichita Falls Texas can be seen in the distance as we start down the overpass onto US287 and the Lloyd Ruby Overpass.
As we head down Armstrong Dr, the entrance to the airport, I get Russ in the mirror shot..
We ride down the flag lined drive to the airport terminal..
We get to the terminal and park the bikes. Many other PGR members are already there. Laura, in the orange, walks towards Russ.
Laura and Russ at the Wichita Falls Municipal Airport.
Barbara and Ted are there. Barbara and Ted are two of our North Texas PGR Ride Captains..
Larry is here somewhere because this is his Harley trike. In the background are three more North Texas PGR Ride Captains: Tex, Mike and Gary (in the yellow shirt by the terminal entrance).
Mike and Tex at the support vehicle, getting flags out
Tim is here with the Texas Flag. He will be positioned across from Gary at the terminal entrance
The flag line in front of the terminal
This is Louis. He is a cousin or uncle to Che.
Laura is here this morning. She drove up from the Bowie Texas area to attend this send off.
Ted and Charlie enjoying the shade. Charlie rode up from the Windthorst Texas area to attend today's send off
Looking at the flag line in front of the terminal from my position across the street. Left to right: Tim, Gary, unknown, Mike, Ted sitting on the Can Am, Russ, Steve, Lamont, Barbara (in street) and Tex
Tex with his flag in the flag line
Russ in the flag line at Municipal Airport..
Charlie is to my left on the other side of the street, in our flag line
Che arrives and Doug grabs some of his gear and helps carry it to check-in
Left to right: Doug, Spc Che Whitaker, his son Isiah and his mom, Rosie. Che's wife, Elia is behind Doug but is blocked from view.
Charlie watches the Whitaker's as they near the entrance to the terminal. They will check Che in and then come back outside.
Tim & Gary at the entrance to the terminal.
Lamont is all grins as he stands the flag line. he was directly across the street from me. I wanted to see what the zoom on the camera could do.. Works pretty good.
Doug comes around to each of us and thanks us for being here to honor his son. Laura, enjoying the shade now, looks on.
Doug as he walks by to talk to Laura on the end of our flag line..
Laura and Mike look down toward the terminal as Che comes back out..
Introducing: U.S. ARMY SPC CHE WHITAKER. Che came down to the WFPOA Building, with Doug, when he first bought his Harley a year or so ago.
Most of us here today, know Che... Here Russ gives Che a well meaning hug and good luck wishes.
Che heads to the start of the flag line to thank us for being there for him. It was an Honor for us to be there.
Before he can talk to Louis, Che gets a phone call..
Che and his wife Elia, by the PGR support vehicle where Doug is talking to Tex
Barbara gives us the signal to head to the support vehicle to put up the flags
Brenda and Charlie just prior to the flag line being dismissed
Tim is talking to my long time friend, former co-worker, former roommate and former Police Academy member, Officer Don Gossett. Ya just gotta luv Don....
The Whitaker's: Left to right: Isiah being held by his mom Elia, SPC Che Whitaker, Rosie and Doug. At the Wichita Falls Municipal Airport.
Mike completes another successful PGR Mission. Thanks Mike..Ya done Good!!
Rosie has been a friend of ours for 30 + years.... all the way back to our younger days..
Steve and Lamont. Lamont's Gold Wing has the brightest headlights I have ever seen on a bike. They look like aircraft landing lights
Several of us decided to stop by the China Star Restaurant for lunch. Here Charlie gets ready to head out...
Doug: The Man & the Legend!
This is Gary's Harley with it's patriotic paint scheme. It is one of the most photographed bikes in the area because of it's patriotic nature. And Gary is a Vietnam Vet, so he fits right on it. A Patriot on a Patriotic bike.
We park the bikes at the China Star Restaurant. Bikes are left to right: Charlie's bike, Laura's bike, my bike and Russ's bike
Inside China Star. Mike, Russ and Laura at one table. Charlie, Brenda & I are at the back table.
Russ walks down the food counter.. so many choices, such little plates...lol
Charlie and Brenda go down the other food line...It's all good..
Mike and Barbara arrive accompanied by their Granddaughters.
Tex and Laura arrive and get a table..
We finish eating and head back outside just in time to see Charlie heading North on the service road.
Russ, Laura, Mike and Tex as we leave the China Star Restaurant.
I get ready to leave and Jim comes out of the restaurant. I never saw him inside.. Jim is owner of Jim's Bike Detail Shop located at 1001 Holliday Wichita Falls, Texas. phone: 940-691-1121If ya need your bike detailed, oil change, State inspection sticker or other servicing, Jim is the guy to see. Call him today and see if he can help ya out with your motorcycle service.
This will conclude this post. I enjoyed seeing everyone today and was honored to be able to attend the PGR send off for Che. Our prayers go with him as he goes off to join his unit in the Afghanistan Theatre.
Scroll down for more rides, runs and events. Don't forget to click on the "OLDER POSTS" link at the bottom of each page or directly under the last post on the page, for more of the same.
You can access NORTH TEXAS BIKERS (I), NORTH TEXAS BIKERS II and NORTH TEXAS BIKERS III at the following links: (I) www.jjskewlstuff.blogspot.com;
Contine to pray for ALL of our troops, both in and out of harm's way and especially for Che, who will be joining his unit in the heart of the action in war torn Afghanistan.
Until next post, ya'll be careful out there, keep the rubber on the road, keep your head on a swivel and most importantly of all.....................RIDE SAFE!..........................JOHN
