Slingshot Battalion Riders

Riders for Life Foundation is committed to helping families in our local communities. Our goal this holiday season is to bring cheer to by donating bicycles to area children. Please join us by visiting our online Walmart registry to make your purchase.

Thanks in advance!

Online Walmart Registry

https://www.walmart.com/registry/ER/02bdd392-9d59-4f64-9b6e-43d071dff253

Thank you for your service!

SBR UPDATE…we received our first batch of apparel today and love the high quality. Currently, we’ve setup leadership teams in Arkansas, Colorado, Florida and Texas but will expand to other states in the coming weeks and months. We definitely appreciate the overwhelming interest and support and will keep everyone updated on our progress. Thanks and stay safe out there! Alamo Cycle Plex; Polaris Slingshot; Milwaukee Tool

SBR welcomes Brian Darst to its leadership team. Brian will serve as Captain/Slingshot Battalion Riders Arkansas and will assist with heading our efforts in the state otherwise known as “The Land of Opportunity”.

Let’s give Brian a rousing welcome for stepping up to the plate. Thank you, Brian…wishing you our very best going forward! Alamo Cycle Plex; Polaris Slingshot

Brian Darst

Brian Darst is a Marine Veteran, serving in the armed services from 1986 to 1992. He is a lifetime member of DAV (Disabled American Veterans) Brian has belonged to the nonprofit group Black Swamp Intertribal in Ohio, serving as an At-Large Southern Regional Director. He is very passionate about and committed to all things Veterans. He’s participated in rides involving VA Hospitals, VA Assisted Care Homes and other benefits that help Veterans and their families. These benefits includes but is not limited to things like fundraisers, car and motorcycle shows, speaking to Veterans returning to civilian life and how to cope with PTSD. Brian has provided assistance and support to many families of our fallen brothers and sisters that have served our country. He has been involved with events that have conveyed Native American Culture, including Powwows, speaking engagements and lectures to school-age and college students alike.

On a more personal note, Brian is happily married to Linda D. Darst with five children, eight grandchildren (one deceased), and eight great grandchildren. He owns a 2019 Polaris Slingshot S and installed of the modifications himself, with the exception of the rims. Modifications include sound system upgrades, LEDs, the addition of a top, luggage racks, front bumper, rear fender, decals, etched windshield and a rear windscreen.

Today, Slingshot Battalion Riders (SBR) gained two Texas stalwarts on our leadership team. They’ve been around for a very long time and are known and respected by all who know them. They’ve worked tirelessly for veteran causes through their well-established group V.O.S. (Veteran Owned Slingshots).

Without further introduction, please join me in welcoming David N Barbara Pressley in their positions as administrators for new membership and historians, respectively.

On the behalf of our entire global team, thank you for continued service. We look forward to our work together!

David and Barbara Pressley

David – Originally from Ohio. Transplanted to Texas in 2009. Retired from the U.S. Army after 22 years of service. Served as a Combat Engineer (21B) and deployed six times including Iraq and Afghanistan. Served as a Drill Sargent at Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. Was stationed at several places including Ft. Ord, California, Ft. Hood, Texas and Ft. Leonard Wood, Missouri. One of the three founding members of Veteran Owned Slingshots (VOS) International group. Currently work for the Ft. Hood Dental Command as a supply technician. I volunteer with the Friends of Central Texas Veterans Cemetery and Operation Stand Down for Homeless in Central Texas. Have owned my slingshot “Dark Angel” since 2017. I enjoy riding with family and friends. I currently perform with the Sabre Gild – Jakku Temple which is in central Texas-Buda, Texas. We perform at venues such as Comic Cons and Expos.

Barbara – Originally from Missouri. Transplanted to Texas in 2009. Served in the U.S. Army for 4 years, with a tour in Desert Shield/Desert Storm. Served as an Administrative Specialist (71L) for 1st Personnel Command and 3rd Infantry Division in Wurzburg, Germany. One of the three founding members of Veteran Owned Slingshots (VOS) International group. Currently works for the Department of Veterans Affairs. Volunteers with the Friends of Central Texas Veterans Cemetery and Operation Stand Down for Homeless in Central Texas. Have owned my slingshot “Barbus” since 2016 and have been blessed with good times and rides with my fellow slingers.

Slingshot Battalion Riders continues to solidify its efforts in Texas. Today, we recognize all of these gentlemen for stepping forward and commend each of them for joining the SBR Leadership Team. Slingshot Battalion Riders Texas

Stuart Parks - Asst. Captain (Corpus Christi Area)

Stuart was born and raised on the Cumberland Plateau of Tennessee in the small town of Manchester. He enlisted in the United States Air Force right after graduating high school in 1984 and was stationed at Laughlin AFB near Del Rio,Texas for his entire ten years of service. Stuart had lots of travel for temporary duties but never had enough for a short tour credit. After an honorable
discharge in 1994, Stuart came right back to Laughlin as a contractor doing the same work in fuel systems. He worked his way up the chain in Civil Engineering and Facilities Management and ended up giving the Air Force a total of 35 years of service training the worlds best pilots. In need of a change of pace, Stuart moved to Corpus Christi and started working with the City Utility Water division. Pretty short and sweet and probably typical of thousands of young men in his age group.

Sarge Ferguson - Lead Asst. Captain (San Antonio Area)

Gregg Ferguson, known by those that know him as Sarge, is originally from St. Louis, Missouri. He retired from the army after twenty-two years as a 19K/63E serving out of Fort Knox, Kentucky. Afterwards, he moved to Louisville, Kentucky and while there started his own trucking company. After three years of driving and living in his RV, Sarge finally settled down in San Antonio, Texas where he and his family have lived for the past nine years.

Jeffery Maclin Asst. Captain (San Antonio Area)

Jeff Maclin, husband of retired SFC Lissa Coronado Maclin- Army. Originally from St Louis, Mo. Works for The Hartford Insurance Group in Sales. Lives in San Antonio since 2016 after Lissa's retirement. Studied Mass Communication at St Louis Community College. Served as Chamber of Commerce President in Troy Illinois, Subject Matter Communicator for business networking. Enjoys family time, golfing and Slingshot member.

Romond Dupree Waldron - Asst. Captain (San Antonio Area)

​Romond Waldron is originally from Buchanan, Virginia and joined the Army Reserves in 1995 as an Administrative Specialist. He retired in 2018 after 23 years of service as a combat veteran. Romond presently resides in San Antonio, TX with his wife, who is also retired Army, and my 7 year old daughter. During his military service some of the positions he held included Unit Administrator, Recruiter, and Assistant Station Commander. He loves spending time with my extended Sling familia and enjoys being a husband and father and look forward to living everyday to its fullest! Alamo Cycle Plex; Polaris Slingshot

Today, SBR took a GIANT step right here in Texas in laying the groundwork to build our organization from the ground up. Please join me in welcoming these gentlemen and thanking each of them for their service to our country.

Sean Girouard🇺🇸 (State Captain/Texas)

Sean Girouard grew up in Beaumont, Texas. His family is originally from Southeast Louisiana. Presently, he resides in Humble, Texas. Sean served in the U.S. Army for 13 years proudly as a combat veteran. He also served our country valiantly in the Desert Storm Desert Shield War.

At the end of Sean’s military service he came back home and had numerous jobs until being hired by the United States Postal Service. As a postal service employee he held several positions, including clerk, supervisor, and postmaster. At present, Sean is retired and is a very proud husband, father, and grandfather. He is also a Prince Hall Freemason.

Sean enjoys watching sports, especially boxing. He’s compassionate about helping veterans and he loves getting to know new people and hearing their journey in life. His newest passion is learning Spanish while traveling to as many Latin America countries in his lifetime. Should you ask him what he’s doing most these days, his likely response will be “I’m planning a vacation”.

Sean’s motto is “Life is short, so we have to enjoy it and be happy”. He invites you to reach out to him to learn more about his travel and life’s story.

Below is a personal note from Sean…

…”Thanks! I look forward to new horizons with Slingshot Battalion Riders. I am up for the challenge to make our organization grow and be a success. Therefore, I serve this organization with love to our veterans and their families.

“Duty, Honor, and Country”

*Every year an average of 22 veterans per day commit su***de. Su***de is real! If you’re a veteran or not a veteran and in need of help please call the National Su***de Prevention Hotline at 1-800-273-Talk. You can also call a friend or a family member, or you can call me at 409-951-0800.
Together we can get through it. IGYB22 means I got your back. 22 stands for veterans that commit su***de but I m here for everyone.

Johnny Colunga Jr.🇺🇸 (Asst. Captain - Beaumont/Golden Triangle Area)

In his own words…

…”Would like to come on board, we have a Patriot Guard here in Southeast Texas. If you look on Our Face book page. I'm a member of Southeast Texas Veterans Service Group, I have been performing Military Funeral Services for our Veterans in our area for the pass 13 years ever since I retired from the Army. We have a funeral coordinator who works with the funeral homes to perform Military Honors. We stay busy, last year 2021 I performed 192 funerals out of 363 services. So you see it was a busy year for our group. We are not the American Legion or the VFW. We are our own group 501 c non profit. We are always looking for more volunteers. We buy all of our new members brand new uniforms, your branch. I warn you we stay busy, for the pass few years we have been averaging over 200 are more funerals a year, this year was a record year.”

Billy J. Trujillo🇺🇸 (Asst. Captain - Dallas Area)

Billy has over 30 years’ experience in leadership positions stemming from 10 active years in the USAF and 2 years in the Air Force National Guard plus over 24 years in the civilian telecommunications, wireless, and IT industries! Throughout his career has served in many technical leadership positions including leading the most advanced telecommunications secure systems in support of Ballistic missile testing and launching at Vandenberg AFB, CA. Billy also served time in Kunsan AB, South Korea providing leadership and technical support to daily operations as well as leading all telecommunications efforts associated to having a successful multi-nation war exercise known as Team Spirit in where troops came from 7 different nations that included Army, Navy, Marines, and of course Air Force.

Billy currently is active in serving his local residing community as he sits on the Board of Adjustments for the City of Aubrey to help ensure all new development impacting the city is serving its citizens to the highest level. Billy also serves as Vice President on the HOA Board for Eagle’s Perch Subdivision in Gainesville, Texas where he is an active property owner to help ensure the best decisions are sustained for this newly established gated community. Billy is equally passionate in providing active support to many worthy people and community events such as Toys for Tots annual events, Medal of Honor yearly visits to North Texas, and many other veteran support activities.

Billy is very passionate about always wanting to learn more not only in his technical career as well in participating in higher education opportunities. Billy holds an Associate Applied Science Electronic Systems Technology, Community College of the Air Force: Bachelor of Science Information Technology Networking and Telecommunications, University of Phoenix; Master of Science Information Technology Management, Western Governors University as well as numerous technical certifications such as Certified Associate in Project Management.

On a personal note: I look to find ways to enjoy every moment that life has to offer. I absolutely love riding my Slingshot (Slingin Spade), my Yamaha SidebySide, and cheering on my Pittsburgh Steelers. Nothing more important to me then God, Country, and Family!

Jb Franklin🇺🇸 (Asst. Captain - Houston/Galveston Area)

Jihad Franklin has over 20 years in leadership experience and 24 years of dedicated military service. He has served in multiple levels of leadership holding positions from first line supervisor to Senior Enlisted Advisor. He has also held numerous positions of trust to include: Instructor, Drill Sergeant and Company First Sergeant within the United States Army. Jihad is extremely passionate about the development of our most precious resource, our children and young adults. He dedicated a lifetime of coaching, mentoring, and preparing young men and women to be able to navigate some of the most austere environments and complex situations.

Jihad Franklin is a graduate of Ashford University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Education. He is a proud member of the Infantry Association and an Honorable inductee into the Order of Saint George. He is a devoted family man who looks forward to spending time with family and friends as he transitions from active service to a retired veteran. He enjoys serving veterans, watching sports (namely all teams Florida, especially the crowned Tampa Bay Buccaneers) of all kind, live bands, jazz, cooking and taking it easy.

Thanks for your service and thanks for accepting your new mission! Riders4Life Global; Alamo Cycle Plex; Polaris Slingshot

INTRODUCING Slingshot Battalion Riders (501c3 pending)…our version of the well respected Patriot Guard Riders, Inc.

In the coming weeks and months we will organize units of compassionate riders in every state. Our riders will stand with the loved ones of fallen veterans while paying our respects at the invitation of the decedent’s family.

Our journey will begin right here in Texas, along with Colorado and Florida. Other states will soon follow. We hope to start registering volunteers through our app based services within the next thirty (30) days.

Our organization has appointed two (2) Veteran administrators to co-chair our efforts.

LaHarold Woodhouse - National Administrator/Co-Chairman SBR

BIO:

SGM (R) Woodhouse worked as a Veteran Service Representative at Department of Veteran Affairs assisting 2000+ veterans gaining benefits they so deserved. He also served as a Sergeant Major for the United States Army and held numerous leadership positions with serval non-profit organizations.

Mr. Woodhouse has over 30 years leadership experience in government and non-profit organizations. Prior leadership and officer positions held include: Instructor, Drill Sergeant, Senior Enlisted Advisor and Operations Sergeant Major with the United States Army; serves as a facilitator for Financial Stewardship at Love First Christian Center, Riverview, FL; served as National President of Kappa Lambda Chi Military Fraternity, Inc.; served on Board of Directors for Kappa Lambda Chi Military Fraternity, Inc.; serving on the Board of Director for Professional Fraternity Association; served as Regional Administrator for Riders4Life Slingshot Group: and held numerous positions within Masonic Organizations.

Mr. Woodhouse is primarily known for his work as a Senior Enlisted Advisor while stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. developing and implementing accredited lesson plans for HAZMAT and Weapons of Mass Destruction courses for over 22,000 Chemical, Biological, Radiological, and Nuclear Soldiers

Mr. Woodhouse is a graduate of Grantham University where he received his Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management. He is a proud member of Kappa Lambda Chi Military Fraternity, Inc; a member of E.E. Just Lodge #27, Melvin H. Evans Consistory #395 and NAJIB Temple # 241 of the Oasis of St. Croix, VI.; a member of Riders4Life Slingshot Group and enjoys serving veterans, watching sports of all kind, dancing, live bands, spoken word, and his new love of golfing.

Steve Gabara - National Administrator/Co-Chairman SBR

BIO:

Mr. Gabara served 5 years in the United States Army Signal Corps (Pro Patria Vigilans) where it was his focus to manage all aspects of communications and information systems support. After passing the NCO board, he was on orders to PLDC when involved in a training incident that resulted instead in an early medical retirement. Being a disabled Veteran himself, Mr. Gabara has always had a soft spot for our Veterans and usually can be found behind the scenes helping in any way possible to raise dollars and awareness for our Veteran programs.

After leaving the Army, Mr. Gabara went on to DeVry University where he attained a Bachelor’s Degree in Business Management and a 2nd degree in Information Technology. Mr. Gabara used his military experience and college education to pursue a career in the telecommunications industry. He currently works for a top rated cable MSO with a focus on financial process improvement and overall revenue assurance for a multi-billion dollar operation.

When Mr. Gabara is not working, he can be found in one of two places; a gun range or in his Slingshot. He is a competitive 3 gun shooter who typically could be found traveling around the country to participate in multi-gun competitions. With ammo prices going up and sponsors having less sponsorship funds, he went head over heels as his wife would say with anything related to their Slingshot “YOLO” and modifying it. With the sling upgrades came more shows and the duo making it to Slingfest Galveston Island (21) for their 1st big event. After having the time of their lives they decided they had to have an event like this in Colorado and are currently working on Slingfest Colorado 2022. Mr. Gabara is a member of Riders4Life Slingshot group and is looking forward to serving in his new role with SBR.

Please follow us on Facebook for more information and to learn how you can contribute to our efforts.

Thanks in advance for your valued support! Polaris Slingshot; Alamo Cycle Plex