Reply To: SPC Joshua R. Farris, 22, KIA, Smithville, TX, 16, 18 July 2009

[markwells]

*Updated 17 July*

Confirmed mission

SPC Joshua R. Farris, 22, of Smithville, Texas, died on 9 July in Wardak Province, Afghanistan of wounds suffered when an improvised explosive device detonated near his vehicle. His family has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to help honor his service and ultimate sacrifice for our nation.

Airport Recovery portion: Thursday, 16 July

Complete. Thanks to all who were able to participate.

Funeral Service and Interment portion:

Date: Saturday, 18 July 2009

Location: All Faith of the Pines Funeral Home, 110 American Legion Dr., Smithville, TX. Map link: tinyurl.com/n5zuhc
Directions: Smithville is located approx. 11 miles east of Bastrop, TX. Traveling eastbound on Hwy 71, exit at Hwy 95S/Loop 230, travel south approx. 1 mile. Funeral Home is on the left (east) side of the road. Proceed to the rear of the property behind the building.

Timeline:
0845 – 0915 hrs staging (8:45 – 9:15 am)
0915 hrs briefing
0925 flag line in place
Funeral Service begins at 1000 hrs
Procession to the cemetery near Johnson City following the service

Austin Staging:
For those wishing to ride together from Austin, mission RC Steve von Roeder and Assistant RC Terry Ayers will depart from the 290 Cafe in Manor no later than 0745. The 290 Cafe is located two miles east of the SH130/Hwy 290 intersection on the south side of the road. All are welcome to join in the ride to Smithville.

Weather forecast: Low mid-70s., high upper 90's, 20% change of thunderstorms. Sunscreen recommended. Bring a sufficient amount of drinking water. Hydrate the night before and in the AM. A small non-perishable food ration is also highly recommended.

Notes:
Parking: Bike parking at the funeral home will be behind the building on the un-paved portion of the property. The area is grass/compacted dirt and is fairly flat. Please follow local ride captain instruction so that there will be room for all bikes and mourner vehicles on site, as parking is limited
Procession: Arrive at the funeral home fully fueled, as the procession to the cemetery is 80 miles with no intermediate stops. Closest fuel is approx. 1/2 mile east of the Hwy 95/71 intersection. This will be a hot 2 hr plus ride, so please consider the condition of yourself and your bike before committing to do it.

Ride Captain: Steve von Roeder, svroeder@sbcglobal.net, cell 512-466-5769, home phone 512-837-3843
Asst RC: Terry Ayers, mototerry@texreb.com cell 512-925-6101
Flag Wrangler: JC Clausen

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Cemetery Staging:
For those who plan to go directly to the cemetery, we will have a flag line in place prior to the arrival of the procession. Thank you Centex PGR for the support.

Location: Miller Creek Cemetery, located 2.7 miles east of the Hwy 281/Hwy 290 intersection SE of Johnson City. Map Link: tinyurl.com/nebu2p
Directions: The cemetery entrance is on the north side of Hwy 290 on a curve and at the bottom of a hill approaching from either direction. It comes up fast and is not very well marked. We will have a bike or Marebare's green jeep at the entrance to help identify it as you approach. GPS coordinates of the entrance are: N 30deg 11' 43.8" and W 98deg 20' 01.6".

Timeline:
1215 – 1245 hrs staging
1245 briefing
After the briefing we can get some shade as we await arrival of the procession. Once notified that the procession is a few miles out, we will get the flag line up and have people ready to assist in parking the arriving bikes.

Ride Captain: John "TC" Wiley, johnboy@281.com, cell 325-423-2220.
Marebare, maddog & JR Hill From Centex assisting.

SPC Farris gave all defending our country, it's time for us to stand tall & silent with respect and gratitude for his sacrifice.