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A Mayberry State Of Mind
Proudly Presents
Rick "Gomer" Gandy / PGR
This page was set up to show our pride and recognition for Rick "Gomer" Gandy and his wife Bonnie Gandy for their dedication to spread what we consider "A Mayberry State of Mind". Rick and Bonnie along with son Dillon and his family spend many of their week ends and off time showing their respect for the men and women who have and are serving in the US Military. Rick, his wife Bonnie, son and family are Patriot Guard Riders. These are men and woman who may not believe in the war but do believe in the men and women serving through it. They are there when invited by the families of the service person to stand guard and counter any anti war protest the soldier may be greeted with.The Patriot Guard, a group of motorcycle enthusiasts formed originally to support families at funerals for fallen soldiers, regularly partakes in welcome-home efforts, too. Such celebrations are done at the request of the families.
Let’s ride along on a welcome home mission:
They whistled and clapped and jostled for handshakes as their American flags danced their own staccato salutation in the November wind. And on the eve of Veterans Day, as they surprised a U.S. Marine with a homecoming party heavy on patriotism, the black leather-clad members of the motorcycling Patriot Guard Riders tear up. Even tough guys can cry, it seems, when they're tasked with welcoming back a hero.
"We get all misty-eyed," said Addison resident Andrew Regal, one of about 60 Guardsmen who gathered Saturday afternoon at the Des Plaines Oasis to salute Lance Cpl. Jeremy Sears as he returned home from Iraq. "We're never short on tears." Sears, who was picked up at O'Hare International Airport by his dad and brought to the oasis under the guise of needing gas, emerged from the car to a throng of Guardsmen, family and friends -- among them, his 99-year-old grandpa, who'd flown in from Texas. Amid calls of "thank you," his mother's voice rang out clearly: "That's my boy!" Sears embraced his mom, lifting her feet off the ground. "I can't even see out of my glasses, they're so full of tears," his mother, Kathy, said later. "It's awesome." Her son, who completed a seven-month tour in Iraq, used the same word to describe how it felt to be back. "It's incredible," he said. From the oasis, a procession of police and flag-toting, horn-honking motorcycling Guardsmen led the way to Sears' dad's home, heading west on the Northwest Tollway and down Arlington Heights Road before turning onto a yellow-ribbon lined Elk Grove Village street. More well-wishers waited there, tears in their eyes and cameras in their hands. "It's good to have him home," said Sears' sister, Valerie, who guessed she'd taken at least 200 pictures of her soldier sibling. "It's hard not to see your brother." Sears, 28, enlisted in the Marines about three years ago, in the midst of the Iraq war. "He knew this was his calling," his friend Darren Slowiak of Wood Dale said. "The kid was born to do this. If I ever meet a better Marine than he is, I'd be shocked." 
The tour Sears just finished was his second. He'd already completed an earlier seven-month stint that took him to Iraq and the Philippines. The U.S. soldiers still overseas "are all my brothers," Sears said, smiling. "And they're all doing awesome." He and his wife, Tami, now live in Carlsbad, Calif., but Sears said Elk Grove Village, where he was born and raised -- he attended Conant High School -- is his real home. Still, Sears' dad, Rick, said his son had a tough time accepting that all the hubbub really was in his honor. "He said, 'I can't believe it's all for me,' " Rick Sears said afterward. "I said, 'They appreciate what you're doing.' " That's absolutely true, said Ted Estrup of Carol Stream, a neighbor of Sears' mother who said the homecoming party gave him goose bumps. He said he feels it's "an honor" to know a soldier, no matter your political views.
The Patriot Guard, a group of motorcycle enthusiasts formed originally to support families at funerals for fallen soldiers, regularly partakes in welcome-home efforts, too.Such celebrations are done at the request of the families.
You can also ride along with the video if you would like.
This is just one of many missions Gomer has served. These men and women who watch over our heroes are heroes themself. If you support our men and women in our Military no matter your stand on the wars contact your local PGR Patriot Guard Riders our soldiers need all the support we can give them.
Patriot Guard Riders Mission Statement
The Patriot Guard Riders is a diverse amalgamation of riders from across the nation. We have one thing in common besides motorcycles. We have an unwavering respect for those who risk their very lives for America’s freedom and security. If you share this respect, please join us.
We don’t care what you ride or if you ride, what your political views are, or whether you’re a hawk or a dove. It is not a requirement that you be a veteran. It doesn't matter where you’re from or what your income is; you don’t even have to ride. The only prerequisite is Respect.
Our main mission is to attend the funeral services of fallen American heroes as invited guests of the family. Each mission we undertake has two basic objectives.
1) Show our sincere respect for our fallen heroes, their families, and their communities.
2. Shield the mourning family and their friends from interruptions created by any protestor or group of protestors.
We accomplish the latter through strictly legal and non-violent means.
To those of you who are currently serving and fighting for the freedoms of others, at home and abroad, please know that we are backing you. We honor and support you with every mission we carry out, and we are praying for a safe return home for all.
To all the men and woman who have and are serving in the U.S. Military, we salute and thank you. It is because of you, we are able to relax every night and enjoy watching television and enjoy Our Mayberry State of Mind.
Rick and all your Patriot Guard Rider brothers and sisters, we thank you for the fine job you do in respecting, honoring and welcoming these brave heroes home. It is truly spreading "A Mayberry State of Mind".