Provided by Patriot Honor Ride
Raising money for Folds of Honor, a charity providing educational scholarships to children and spouses of our fallen and disabled service men and women, Col. Gary West will engage the public along the 2,500-mile journey to fold and fly 16 US flags dedicated to 16 Folds of Honor recipient families from each of the states traveling through, as a way to show gratitude for their sacrifice.
“I am raising funds and awareness for Folds of Honor, a non-profit changing lives and supporting the legacies of our finest Americans. I came home from three combat tours and was able to help my three boys get their education and start their adult lives without any obstacles. Now I want to do my part to help make sure some young person’s future is not left on the battlefield,” Col. West said.
Flags will be folded as a show of honor in numerous historical places and of interest along the way:
- The USS Constitution, Ground Zero, Freedom One Tower, Ten House Fire Station
- The State Capitol Buildings in Mass., R.I., N.J., and Va.
- Gillette Stadium, Fenway Park, Camden Yards, and Homestead Raceway
- Independence Hall, Ft. McHenry, Ft. Knox, Colonial Williamsburg, and multiple monuments in the District of Columbia.
- Multiple military installations and monuments
- Civic Groups, schools, organizations
“Beginning on August 1, 2016, my goal is to end the 2,500 miles, a 60-day journey, on my 60th birthday, on October 1. As I enter this season of my life, I want to be able to leverage my experience in some way to make a difference in someone’s life,” Col. West said.
Col. West served in the USAF for 26 years and commanded at the Squadron and Group levels. He led over 130 combat missions over Iraq and Bosnia, during Operations Desert Storm/Southern Watch and Operation Deny Flight/Deliberate Force. Col West served in the Pentagon on the Joint Staff and was in the building on Sept. 11, 2001. Pastor Gary West serves as the Operations Pastor at Chapel Springs Church, Bristow, VA.
For more information about Patriot Honor Ride or to donate, go to patriothonorride.com. All donations will benefit Folds of Honor.
