• Mar 28, 2024
  • 6:40 AM

Stars And Stripes Never Rest For Nation of Patriots


CAPTIONS:

Nation of Patriots leader Melanie Stout takes a moment to sign the log containing names of those who participated in this year’s Patriot Tour.

Several Nation of Patriots members gather at Red Rock Harley-Davison to sign the official log book. Chuck Lennon, center, holds the official American flag that has traveled across the nation stopping along the way to collect charitable donations to help veterans.

Nation of Patriots members rode motorcycles of all types while carrying small American flags on the vehicles.

 

Patriot Tour Included Motorcycles And Automobiles

by Chuck N. Baker

(Las Vegas) — Local members of the countrywide Nation of Patriots organization completed their 2020 Patriot Tour last month with American flags flapping in the breeze on the backs of their motorcycles. The parade was joined by two automobiles, driven by patriots who wanted to be a part of what has become an annual procession of riders who carry a much larger from state to state. In the past the large flag would also be flying in the wind behind a motorized vehicle, but due to the pandemic and the chance the fabric might carry germs, this year the flag was housed in a traditional triangular case.

         The flag bearer this year was local resident Chuck Lennon, treasurer of the local chapter of Nation of Patriots. “This year we had a total of 15 bikes and two automobiles take part,” Lennon reported. And while many days last month saw temperatures of more than 100 degrees, September 9 turned out to be just cool enough to make it comfortable for the event to kick off. Member and group leader Melanie Stout commented, “The coolest temperature today arrived right on time.” Stout had a minor setback on the road early on when her bike stopped running smoothly. But she pulled over to the side of the road and along with help from others in the procession got it operating again.

         This year the Nevada biker convoy met at at Buffalo Bill’s Hotel in Primm. A contingent of riders from Lancaster, California, met the Nevada group at the border and passed the larger flag to the Silver State group. The local riders then continued to the Red Rock Harley Davidson store on Rainbow Blvd. and conducted a short ceremony.

         In addition to carrying the flag, Lennon was keeper of the roll book. Everyone from every state who took part in the rides were asked to sign their names in the official log. Stout’s husband Eric is western regional commander of Nation of Patriots. After the stop at the Harley-Davidson retailer, he explained that the following day the group was planning a ride down the Las Vegas Strip on its way to Overton. From there over the next several days, a ride through Henderson, Boulder City, Laughlin and Kingman, Arizona, was planned. The group eventually ended up in Scottsdale, Arizona, where the patriot tour originated several months ago.

         The annual event saw fewer riders this year, which was attributed to the pandemic, the need to wear face masks, and the need to practice social distancing as they made stops along the way. As a result of that, charitable donations and earned funds from branded product sales have been slow to come in. Stout bemoaned the fact that donations this year have not been as lucrative as in the past. As a result, the group asked for donations from those riding on the events, and from individuals who showed up at each stop. For more information about Nation of Patriots, or to make a donation, contact Stout at (702) 533-8878, or at nationofpatriotslv@gmail.com. Members do not have to be motorcycle riders, and plans are already being made for next year’s tour. So get your flags ready and tune up your engines, automobiles and trucks are always welcome to participate.

                                                      # # #