Confirmed Mission: SPC Krystal Fitts 26, U.S. Army, KIA

[markwells]

[markwells]

Confirmed Mission: SPC Krystal Fitts 26, US Army, KIA in Afghanistan
The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited by the family to participate in the airport recovery and funeral service of Krystal Fitts who was Killed in Action in Kandahar on July 17th, 2012.
This will be a two part mission.
Part 1 – Airport Recovery
Part 2 – Funeral Service

Date/Time:
Airport Recovery: July 27th, 2012 12:55pm
Funeral Service: July 28th, 2012 10:00am

PART 1

Location: AIRPORT RECOVERY – Austin Army Aviation Support Facility (ABIA)
Directions: Texas National Guard Support Facility at Austin Bergstrom Intl Airport. The facility is located at the south end of ABIA. Traveling southbound on Hwy 183 past the Hwy 71 intersection, turn left (east) at the Burleson Rd stop light. Proceed 1.2 miles and turn left (north) on Emma Browning Avenue (flashing yellow light). Turn left again at your first opportunity (Clifford Kelly Dr) and proceed to the guard shack, then turn right to the staging area parking lot. Map link: tinyurl.com/TxANGAustin

Timeline: AIRPORT RECOVERY – JUL 27th 11:30am – 12:10pm Staging (PLEASE BE ON TIME)
12:10pm – Safety Briefing
12:55pm – Plane Arrival
2:10pm – Depart for Funeral Home with LEO escort

Notes: Due to schedule conflicts for other services at this same time frame, we will not depart the airport enroute to the funeral home until approximately 2:10pm.

Ride Captain: Sam Warren 512-217-4191 samhwk@gmail.com
Asst. Ride Captain: Robert Stancil

PART 2

Location: FUNERAL SERVICE – Cook Walden Capital Parks, 14501 IH 35, Pflugerville, Tx
Directions: Cook Walden Funeral Home, 14501 North IH-35, Pflugerville, TX 78660. Funeral chapel is located approx. 1 mile north of Howard Lane off the northbound IH-35 service road. North bound take the exit for Howard Ln, then go north about a mile to funeral home. Map Link: tinyurl.com/CookWaldenPflugerville

Timeline: FUNERAL SERVICE – JULY 28TH
8:45am – 9:10am Staging
9:10am – Safety Briefing
9:30am – Flag Line

Wx: For Both Days – Partly cloudy, Lo of 75 and hi of 100

Notes: We will stage at the funeral home on Saturday the 28th. Arrive fed, fueled, and hydrated. Bring a bottle of water for yourself and one for a friend. Sun block is recommended.
There will be no procession from the funeral home on Saturday as all services, to include military honors, will be conducted on site.

Ride Captain: Keith Longacre 512-751-8955 KeithLongacre@att.net
Asst. Ride Captain: Sam Warren

Flag Wrangler: Sam Warren

Please make plans to stand for this warrior who served our country and gave her all, that we may be free.

[markwells]

The article in the statesman about Spc Fitts

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/statesman/obituary.aspx?n=spc-krystal-m-fitts&pid=158751877&fhid=4302#fbLoggedOut

[markwells]

What an outstanding showing today for Spc Fitts and her family. We had about 50-52 bikes and 2 cages after a few came in just before the plane arrived. Her Mom and Step Dad rode in the procession with us and attended the briefing. There were about 4 new riders, and some from Killeen and Houston areas.
Thanks to all who helped with the parking and incoming bikes. Also thanks to Chuck and Dee from Houston who donated appropriate coins/pins to be given to the family.
Our sincere appreciation goes to the Travis County Sheriff's and Austin Police Dept. motor officers who effortlessly guided us to the funeral home with their riding and traffic skills, while honoring the soldier and her family.
Hope to see many of you tomorrow for the final service for Spc Krystal Fitts.
Sam

[markwells]

Thank you Sam, Keith, Steve, and everyone, for sending SPC Fitts home with honor and dignity.

[keithlongacre]

Another great turn out today to honor another fallen hero. I want to sincerly thank all of you for the giving of your time & Saturday to help this family get through a very tuff time. We had 30 bikes & 2 cages. The family & friends were so very appreciative of our being there to honor Krystal & show our respect. Krystal's mother told us how her family at first did not understand her wanting to ride in the procession Fri. but after seeing all the riders & flags, they had all changed their mind & were really glad everyone showed up.
A special thanks to the water wranglers. You were really needed today.

[markwells]

And thank you to Keith and Sam for running another flawless mission today. I continue to be impressed with the professionalism of the Austin PGR missions and the reflection this has on the ride captains and the leadership. The missions always go smoothly and even with the occasional changes, they work. It's a pleasure to ride with all of you and to be part of such a fantastic group of men and women. I'm proud and humbled to be a small part of this group!

[markwells]

Riders,
Bill Bastas is a member of the Patriot Guard and was taking pictures yesterday at the service for Spc Krystal Fitts. Our thanks to Bill for a fine job.
The link is provided here for all to view.

Your presence and conduct at the service set a good example and demonstrated the respect that we have for all of our warriors. Thanks for what you do!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4lR0nMVj8_c

[markwells]

Very touching video. Bill Bastas did a great job with it.

Thanks for sharing.

[Author]

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