I apologize for the delay in posting this information. I'm finding
just how easy it is to fall behind. :)


All members of the OGR and Sisterhood who participate in or conduct
events
supporting the mission statement of the Old Guard Riders and The
Sisterhood are
encouraged to post After-Action Reports to this forum.

These After-Action Reports not only provide everyone with details of
your activity and how you accomplished it, they inspire others to
action and provide ideas for the kind of activities that can be
conducted.

While at a large area swap meet on Veterans Day, we noticed the
American Legion and others soliciting donations from those passing
by. We approached the Swap Meet Mgr and presented a copy of our Tax
Exempt status letter. We were immediately invited to a free weekend
at the swap meet soliciting donations as well.

Many large chain stores, including Wal-Mart, allow confirmed 501C3
charities to solicit outside their main doors as well.

Legion and VFW Posts are outstanding supporters of the OGR and The
Sisterhood
nationwide. We have received several large donations from individual
posts.

Use your imagination and conduct your own programs. A copy of the
OGR 501C3 IRS letter is available upon request to any OGR and
Sisterhood member.

Anyone requesting a copy of the 501C3 letter is reminded that this
is to be used only for OGR business and reports must be filed with
National OGR regarding when and how you used our 501C3 status.



In mid-November, Ron Eppich, President/Old Guard Riders and Jamie
Thomas Director/ The Sisterhood, received a phone call from a
two young high-school girls inquiring about OGR plans for charitable
missions around Thanksgiving Day. The girls were assigned by their
high school civics class to participate in a charitable activity for
the holidays.

Jamie and Ron, in conjunction with the girls, launched a Free Veterans
Thanksgiving Day Meal campaign. Jamie and Ron posted requests for
assistance on
this forum, as well as launching a local food/donation drive.

The OGR discovered the House of Refuge Outreach program was already
preparing for just such a Free Thanksgiving Day Meal project at two
locations in the area. OGR partnershipped with the House of Refuge in
their effort.

On Oct. 21, members of The Sisterhood and the OGR delivered over 250
lbs. of frozen
turkeys and in excess of $700 of canned goods, perishables and pies to
the staff of House of Refuge for preparation.

On Sat. Oct 22, House of Refuge conducted the first of two Free
Thanksgiving Day Meals in west Mesa, AZ. The turnout of the homeless
and those in need was over-whelming. At the end of the three hour
operation, all available food and supplies were gone, with requests
for additional meals in the future.

On Thursday, Oct. 27, 7 members of The Sisterhood and the OGR were
present to serve and
assist with the meals along with the House of Refuge staff. Ron Eppich
used the OGR passenger van to locate and transport veterans and those
in need to and from the meal, while others assisted as needed.

Due to heavy rains in the area the night before, many homeless and
otherwise in need had sought shelter away from their usual camp areas
and were unable to be located.

However, during the three hour period, approximately 70+ people were
served. Exact count is pending.

Thanks to Wal-Mart, who donated a $500 Community Grant Check to the
OGR for the operation, as well as Fry's and Bashas' grocery stores,
who donated several turkeys and canned goods. Thanks to Village Inn,
who donated one dozen fresh pies to the operation.

OGR, in conjunction with the House of Refuge, is ramping up for a Free
Christmas Meals program and a toy drive for children.













After nearly one year of working to gain the release of the cremains
of six veterans and one veteran's spouse, on Oct 27, 2008 all seven
were escorted to their final resting place at the Arizona National
Memorial Cemetery in Phoenix, AZ.

Those interred include:
SSGT Dorman D Hutchinson - WWII
Tec5 Edward P Majka - WWII
Major Shirl L Terry - WWII/Korea (Bronze Star)
Pvt John C Mathers - Vietnam
Pvt James B Thomas - WWII
Sgt Jerry J Lane - Korea (Purple Heart)
Germayne Lane - Spouse of Sgt Jerry Lane for over 50 yrs

The cremains of these seven individuals have been warehoused on a
mortuary shelf in Mesa, AZ for a combined total of over 65 years.

The funeral motorcade departed the Apache Junction Mortuary in
Apache Junction with 412 motorcycles escorting the hearse. The
funeral procession, including motorcycles and other vehicles,
stretched well over a two mile distance behind the hearse.
The funeral motorcade/procession was joined at the Phoenix National
Memorial Cemetery by an additional 121 motorcycles, bringing the
total motorcycle participation to 532 bikes. Many military and
veteran's motorcycle groups and clubs were represented, including
the AZ Army National Guard Bushmaster Riders Motorcycle Club, the
Combat Vets Association, the Vietnam Vets USA Motorcycle Club, the
Brotherhood of Leatherneck USMC Motorcycle Club, the American Legion
Riders, the VFW Riders, the Old Guard Riders, the Bikers for Christ
Motorcycle Club, the Patriot Guard Riders, and many more.

Members of the Arizona MIAP team were honored to welcome MIAP
Executive Director Fred Salanti and five MIAP staff members, who
rode their motorcycles from Redding, CA to Phoenix, AZ in order to
be present for the ceremony.

Speakers at the ceremony included MIAP Executive Director Fred
Salanti, Colonel Joey Strickland (AZ Director of Veterans Affairs)
and Colonel Rick Palmatier (Arizona Army National Guard, Chief of
Staff.) Also in attendance was Arizona State Representative Jerry
Weiers.

Fred Salanti was presented a proclamation from Arizona Governor
Janet Napolitano, declaring October 27, 2008, a day of remembrance
for the "Forgotten Seven", in memory of those being interred and
those yet to be interred.

Military Honors were conducted by the Arizona National Guard.
Bagpipes were played by Michael McClanathan.

Nazy Hirani conducted a beautiful aerial tribute over the ceremony
in his WWII P-51 Mustang "SU SU".

A free luncheon was provided by Rick and Julie Hatch at their
Hacienda Harley Davidson dealership following the ceremony.

The Arizona MIAP team is looking forward to ensuring the countless
number of shelved cremains of "unclaimed" veterans in AZ receive
their rightful military interment.

Tremendous thanks to Christina Duwel, AZ State MIAP Coordinator, Jim
Taft, CPO Retired/OGR, and Bill Taylor, OGR Vice
President/Operations & Safety, for their dedicated effort to ensure
the safety and success of this mission.

Our Special thanks to all the Motorcycle Clubs and Associations for
their support of OGR and MIAP (Missing In America Project)

Missing In America Project - www.miap.us