The White Earth Veterans Association invited the Patriot Guard Riders to escort the American Veterans Traveling Tribute & The Traveling Wall Memorials from West Fargo, ND to Mahnomen, Mn on August 20th, 2008. Detroit Lakes Sector Ride Captain Karla Richardson accepted the Mission.

The American Veterans Traveling Tribute & The Traveling Wall vehicles were escorted from West Fargo's (ND) VFW by North Dakota RC Tony Krogh (West Fargo), with assistance from MNPG Detroit Lakes Sector ARC Karl Goehring and 27 other riders and, with members of the White Earth Veterans Association following in cages. They departed West Fargo at 11:00am and proceeded to the Moorhead, MN, American Legion. Departure from the Moorhead AL was at 1:30pm and they made stops in Hawley and Lake Park before arriving at the Detroit Lakes city park at 3:45pm. Awaiting the Escort in DL were 26 more motorcycles and their riders who stood Flag Lines of Welcome. In addition to the Patriot Guard, we had Legion Riders, other Veteran riders, and the American Legion Honor Guard on the Line. A short ceremony was held at the Band shell in the park with Detroit Lakes Mayor Larry Buboltz as the guest speaker. Following the ceremony our Flag Line broke down and we were provided sandwiches and lemonade by the Auxiliary Women of the American Legion. At 4:45pm the Escort was formed up for the continued escort to Mahonmen, MN. 49 motorcycles (53 riders) departed Detroit Lakes at 5:00pm and were led by 2 Minnesota Highway Patrol and a Becker County Deputy Sheriff and following the AVTT&TTW vehicles were the cages of the White Earth Veterans Association members and friends. The Detroit Lakes Police did intersection control so that we had a safe escort in and out of Detroit Lakes. Our first stop was in Calloway where two White Earth Reservation Police vehicles and 3 Fire Trucks joined the lead on the escort. We again stopped in Ogema and additional Fire Trucks joined and our last stop was at Waubun prior to our arrival in Mahnomen where the last Fire Trucks joined the escort. There were too many vehicles in front to see how many joined at each stop but as we made a final curve in the highway before entering Mahnomen, I was able to count 9 Fire Trucks and 4 LEO's at the lead.

Awaiting the Escort in Mahnomen were Detroit Lakes Sector ARC Greg Syverson and Larry Hynding with a Flag Line joined by the Honor Guard of the White Earth Veterans Association. After dismounting, Flag Lines were established on either side of the podium in front of the AVTT&TTW vehicles and were held for the Welcoming Ceremony presented by the WEVA. Traditional American Indian drum and chants were performed during the ceremony with prayers in Native Chippewa Language to Honor those men and women whose names are inscribed on the different Memorials. Erma Vizenor, White Earth Tribal Chairwoman, gave an exceptional speech that not only Honored all those who sacrificed for our Freedom but she also gave a History of the number of American Indians whose names are also inscribed on the Memorials. As a point of Honor, American Indians have the highest percentage of population Killed In Action of all Ethnic groups and they stand proud of their Sacrifices for the preservation of our Freedoms. During the ceremony, a spiritual leader came down the Flag Line and blessed each and every rider with burning sage and at the conclusion of the ceremony, the entire White Earth Veterans Association Honor Guard and members came down the Flag Line to thank us individually for assisting them in bringing the Memorials to Mahnomen. Following the WEVA, Erma Vizenor also walked the Flag Line and thanked us. All of the Escort riders were invited into the Shooting Star Event Center for "Hors d'oeuvres" following the ceremony. For those riders who had to leave early.....TOO BAD.... The WEVA put on a fabulous Mexican style buffet feast and to outdo themselves, they invited the PGR to be guests of Honor and dine first.

Ride critique: All Flag mounts were inspected in Detroit Lakes except for the one motorcycle that left the staging area to fuel up while the inspection was being done and consequently was not inspected. Anyone want to guess which Flag came off during the Escort. Fortunately our speed was 40-45 mph so a problem did not occur but it does remain a factor for any escort that inspections of mounts is critical for a safe ride.

The entire Mission was a total success. For those riders who started out in West Fargo, it was a 9+ hour day. A special thanks goes to these individuals. For the rest of us it was a 5 hour day so thanks to all of you too for an exceptional job.

To conclude this Mission Report I attach words from RC Karla Richardson:

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Thank you all so much for all the work and effort you put in, to make this a wonderful day for the White Earth Veterans Association (WEVA) and the White Earth Nation! The flag lines in DL and Mahnomen and the escorts were beautiful. It was so great to see the beaming faces of the WEVA coming in their vehicles behind the trucks in both DL and Mahnomen - every time I saw any of them, their faces were just beaming with pride. They wanted the Wall to arrive in grand style and thanks to each of you, that happened. The Wall with names of so many who have given all - what a privilge for us in the PGR to have a small part in honoring. Even with very last minute changes, you were flexible and made it happen - even while we were on the road and a stop was "gonna happen", "not gonna happen", "gonna happen again" and the last stop that never materialized at all - you made it seem part of the plan and effortless.

After their Welcoming Ceremony, the Spiritual Leader came over to me and said that it was a day that the White Earth Nation would remember for many years - the day over 50 bikes with flags flying brought the Wall that they had worked so long and hard to bring was there. The Ceremonial officer of the WEVA Color Guard told me the same thing - I assured both that the whole day and the ceremony was something we in the PGR would also remember for many years. Having them come down the line and bless each and every PGR there with the burning sage and the entire WEVA Honor Guard come down the line and shake our hands, the beating of drums and chants and the flag blessing song is something I know I will long remember.
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David J. Woodward
ARC Detroit Lakes Sector
Minnesota Patriot Guard