On September 17^th, 1862 the battle of Antietam was fought.  In the bloodiest battle of the Civil War, 23,000 soldiers were killed, wounded or missing.

One such soldier, fatally wounded, lay in a shallow grave near a rocky outcropping on the battlefield – and there he lay for 147 years.  In January of this year his remains where discovered – gently dis-interred – and after forensic analysis by the US Parks Dept. and the Smithsonian Institute it was determined that this Union soldier, unknown but to God, was from New York.

This soldier is coming home.  On Wednesday, Sept 16th and on Thursday, Sept 17^th (anniversary of his death) there will be ceremonies in Saratoga Springs, NY and interment in Saratoga National Cemetery.

The Patriot Guard Riders have the honor of having been invited to play a significant role in these ceremonies – planning and participation..

General info is as follows – please keep checking your e-mails as detailed info (routes, staging areas, times etc will be forthcoming).   Mark your calendars.  Having just come from the initial planning meeting this event promises to be HUGE.

Tuesday, September 15, Honor Guard will receive remains of soldier in a ceremony at the Antietam Battlefield.  Honor Guard Escort vehicle with remains will enter New York.  PGR will stage somewhere near NJ/NY border (RT-287 and RT-17) for escort of the Honor Guard vehicle to the Military Reservation at Camp Smith.  The soldier will lie in state at approx 1500 hrs until into the evening – open to the public.  PGR will establish flag lines at this location.  Contingent will overnight at this location.

Wednesday morning Honor Guard will leave for Saratoga at approx 0900 hrs.  This route will follow RT-9 North the entire way.  Escort with PGR to have LEO’s all along the way and will proceed 40-45 mph passing through all communities along the way.  Escort will have a 30-45 minute layover somewhere near Hudson, NY for break and refuel.

After break in Hudson, escort will continue North on RT-9 thru local communities, thru the city of Albany on the way to the Military Museum in Saratoga Springs, NY.  Ceremonies will commence upon arrival of the escort at approx. 1400 hrs.  The remains will lie in state at the museum until the evening hours for the public to pay respects.  PGR will man flag lines near the entrance of the museum.

Thursday’s ceremonies will begin at approx 0900 hrs.  PGR will be part of escort from the Museum to the Saratoga National Cemetery for arrival there at approx. 1000 hrs.  PGR will dismount and establish flag lines at the shelter where the ceremonies will take place.  After shelter ceremony PGR flag line will move in procession and re-establish flag line at the gravesite.

This is very preliminary information.  Routes are currently being ridden and I will have exact staging info, route info and times by the first of next week.  Lots more detail to follow.  I wanted to get some of this info now as the press has already jumped the gun on this ceremony – set aside these dates to participate in all or any of the ceremonies.

I will be in contact with local Ride Captains in Region 6 & Region 7 to help coordinate.  Although this is a Patriot Guard Rider organized escort event please pass the word along to ALL motorcycle clubs that they are invited to join with us these days to show honor, dignity and respect for this Civil War soldier.

Updates to the mission details will be here:

http://www.patriotguard.org/ALLForums/tabid/61/forumid/11/postid/1233221/view/topic/Default.aspx