Marines

Wreaths Across America & Young Marines Enter Partnership

Nonprofits agree to work together to help support common missions of teaching the next generation the values of leadership, citizenship, and freedom. COLUMBIA FALLS, Me., and ST. CHARLES, Mo. – May 13, 2022 – Yesterday, national nonprofits Wreaths Across America (WAA) and the Young Marines are proud to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) between the two organizations. The signing is to build a stronger awareness for each group’s common missions while supporting educational events throughout the nation. These events will help teach lessons of character and patriotism to the next generation. WAA’s Director of Military and Veteran Outreach, Joseph Reagan, and Young Marines National Executive Director Col. William Davis signed the MOU live as part of the Young Marines Adult Leadership Conference held in St. Charles, Missouri. To watch the video of yesterday’s signing, please click here or visit https://vimeo.com/709265876/c5414c677a . The MOU between the two groups outlines key agreements that establish a framework for cooperation between WAA and the Young Marines. This includes collaborative volunteer efforts to provide opportunities for joint community service activities that bring awareness to both groups’ missions throughout the country, and regular feature interviews on Wreaths Across America Radio. The interviews will highlight youth participants’ academic achievement, community service, good citizenship, and other attributes. “As a program whose core mission focuses on teaching the next generation the value of freedom, supporting and working with leadership groups like the Young Marines is critical to the future of this country,” said Karen Worcester, executive director, WAA. “These kids are learning not only what it means to be a productive member of society, they are learning that anyone can find a way to serve their community, and what it truly means to be an American.” “The Memorandum of Understanding solidifies the two organizations’ commitments […]

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Vance & Hines Reveals New Look for NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycles

Vance & Hines Reveals New Look for NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycles in Conjunction with Launch of VO2 Military Power Series Program Following yesterday’s launch of the Vance & Hines VO2 Military Power Series, the Vance & Hines NHRA race team revealed new livery on all three of their NHRA Pro Stock Motorcycles for Veteran’s Day weekend. The VO2 Military Power Series is a line of air intake products recognizing five branches of the US Military and supporting the Children of Fallen Patriots, an organization that provides educational resources to military children who have lost a parent in the line of duty. The logos of the military branches are “officially licensed” to Vance & Hines for use in this program. Today, in the first round of qualifying at the NHRA Auto Club Nationals in Pomona, California, Vance & Hines riders Angelle Sampey, Andrew Hines and Eddie Kraweic rolled out a new paint scheme honoring veterans and those serving in the US Military. The design features a dramatic take on the stars and stripes of the American flag along with the logos of the US Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines and Coast Guard. The Auto Club Nationals are the finale of the NHRA drag racing season. The results will determine the championship in the Pro Stock Motorcycle class for 2021.

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Annual Motorcycle Ride for Toys for Tots to Begin October 24

by Allison Keys from https://www.krqe.com On Sunday, Oct. 24, the 17th Annual Ride for Toys for Tots will kick off the season. Toys for Tots begins collections for holiday season during motorcycle run. As a child, there is nothing quite as exciting as waking up on Christmas morning with presents under the tree. However, not every child gets to experience that feeling. The Toys for Tots campaign works to change that. Assistant Program Coordinator Paul Caputo and Maj. Mike Schroeder discuss the campaign and how it’s making a difference in the lives of local children. A program by the US Marine Corps Reserve, Toys for Tots strives to collect new, unwrapped toys during October, November, and December every year and to distribute them as Christmas gifts to children in need within the community. On Sunday, Oct. 24, the 17th Annual Ride for Toys for Tots will kick off the season at the Super Walmart located on 528 and Enchanted Hills. Registration for the motorcycle ride starts at 9 a.m. with a ride to Thunderbird Harley-Davidson at 5000 Alameda Blvd. for an afterparty. The entry fee to the event is an unwrapped gift. For more information on how to get involved with the program, visit https://toysfortots.org/. If you’d like to put a donation box for toys at your business, call Paul Caputo at 505-975-2033. WATCH: Full interview with Toys for Tots Asst. Program Coordinator Paul Caputo and Maj. Mike Schroeder

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Over 8500 Motorcycles Ride in Support of Marine Cpl Humberto “Bert” Sanchez

by Rogue and John Lee What an honor it was to be part of the procession for Marine Cpl Humberto “Bert” Sanchez. Over. 8500 bikes came in from multiple other states to show their support. That alone was something amazing to see. There were so many bikes that there was no good way to even get a photo to show the amount of bikes that were there. The Marine Riders were towards the front of the procession and when we pulled out to follow the behind Cpl Sanchez there were people lining the streets. From the gates of Grissom Airforce base all the way to Logansport. A good 20 miles of people on the side of the road. Everyone had American Flags waving. Lots of Marine Corps flags too. Multiple ladder trucks with flags draped over the road. Old men in their uniforms from when they served saluting the entire procession. Children holding their parents hands. Family pets. People crying and holding their hands over their hearts. People playing Patriotic music. And that’s before we even got to Logansport. Cpl Sanchez received an aerial escort from 4 A10 Warthogs as we neared. They flew over us multiple times before circling the front end of the procession. They would come buzzing in a couple hundred feet off the ground. Then as we come into Logansport it’s just a sea of people lining the street. Tens of Thousands of people lined the city streets for Cpl Sanchez’s final few miles. I would guess anywhere from 10,000-20,000 people were lined up along the roads from Peru to Logansport. Absolutely amazing. Well done Indiana! That’s was an amazing homecoming for a hero. I am honored to have been a part of this and happy I got to ride next to my Marine Rider Brothers.

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Omaha Police refuse motorcade access to Patriot Guard Riders

from https://www.ketv.com Omaha police: Only law enforcement in Cpl. Page motorcade for safety reasons Patriot Guard Riders say they’ll follow behind motorcade. OMAHA, Neb. — Omaha police said it’s not safe to have hundreds of motorcycles on the route that will only be blocked off for the fallen Marine Cpl. Daegan Page and his family to pass. The Patriot Guard Riders said it’s their honor to pay tribute to Page and still plan to follow the motorcade. “I’m a bit flabbergasted with the decision. It really took me by surprise,” said Scott Knudsen, Nebraska State Captain, Patriot Guard Riders. Knudsen and other Patriot Guard Riders said they’ve never been denied a place in a military motorcade and asked Page’s father for permission to be part of Friday’s event. “We never go anywhere unless we are invited. We always seek out permission to achieve permission from appropriate people,” Knudsen said. But Omaha police asked all groups to stay out of the motorcade for safety reasons, disappointing Knudsen and hundreds of riders coming from Western Nebraska, Kansas and Iowa. “It’s really a shame that it has come to this, but we are in different times today. I don’t know all the details I’m certainly not blaming the Omaha Police Department or the sheriff’s department or anybody else,” Knudsen said. “We decided for safety sake and not tie up the intersection,” said Steve Lahrs, Director of American Legions Millard Post. Millard American Legion Riders were planning to join the escort to honor the fallen Marine until police asked them to stay parked on the sidelines. “They are short-staffed and short-manned and it would create too much of a havoc for the city of Omaha to have hundreds of bikers blocking intersections,” Lahrs said. In a statement to KETV, Omaha police said once again

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Peter Makris Memorial Run Kicks Off Laconia Motorcycle Week on June 12

The Peter Makris Memorial Run hits a milestone in this 15th year as the “Official Kickoff to Laconia Motorcycle Week®.” Started as a tribute to NASWA patriarch Peter Makris, the charity run offers the best riding experience with the escort of NH State and local police, offering a “feet-up” ride through the Laconia area scenic hills, lakes and small towns. The run also accentuates one of the reasons we ride—to give back to the community. Bikers are known for their generosity and heart and this ride is an expression of both. Makris was for many years the face of the legendary NASWA Resort, the Official Hotel of the rally, welcoming all to “The NAZ” with his warm smile and handshake. He was well-loved in the community as a leader and is now commemorated in this 15th annual ride which has raised over $475,000 for area charities including the Laconia Fire Department, Easter Seals “Veterans Count,” the Laconia CERT team, and last year, the Belknap House homeless shelter and Building Dreams for Marines. This non-profit was formed to assist Marines and other U.S. military veterans with mobility issues as it retrofits residences to enable vets and their families to live comfortably and confidently in their homes. Peter Makris’ service in the Marines and membership in the Leathernecks Motorcycle Club brings the charity full circle. “We know my father would be proud of this initiative,” says Cynthia Makris, president of the NASWA Resort who followed in her father’s footsteps to make the NASWA a strong community service and contributor. The Resort was founded by her maternal grandparents in the early 1900’s and she now guides 4 generations of the Makris family in maintaining its legacy, with her mother, 96-year-old Hope, busy in the kitchen, baking the desserts for the resort. The Peter

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