Gordon "Shiftless" Grunke

[markwells]

[markwells]

Gordon "Shiftless" Grunke, one of our PGR brothers from the Centex area, passed away this morning around 5am.
Centex has asked that we assist them with the services by handling some of the duties as they will be performing honors for Gordon, as we all mourn the loss of a brother and friend.
As soon as we receive info regarding dates, times from them, it will be updated here.
We will need riders for flag lines, and a flag truck driver if someone can volunteer.
Let's all plan to have a good showing to honor Gordon and his family.
A short statement from Kaz regarding this man is below.

Gordon Grunke has been a member and staunch supporter of the PGR since before I began 2 years ago. Gordon has been an inspiration for a tremendous amount of people through his life. He is my hero.

Gordon has asked for the PGR to Stand for Him.

“Mission information and Final Itinerary:
Gordon D. Grunke, U.S. Navy Veteran. ”The Patriot Guard Riders of Central Texas, (Centex) will be gathering in remembrance and to honor one of their own.

Gordon D. Grunke, U.S. Navy Veteran and Patriot Guard Rider passed away on April 26, 2009 after losing his long battle with cancer.

At the request of Gordon himself, the Patriot Guard Riders will not only attend the services of this United States Navy Veteran but will provide military honors at his interment.

Staging: Staging will be held in the parking lot of the McDonald’s restaurant in Belton, Texas located on I-35 at the 6th Street exit.
Date: Friday May 1, 2009
Time: 09:30 to 10:00
Briefing: 10:00 to 10:10
KSU: 10:10
Memorial Service: 11:00 AM First United Methodist Church Belton, Texas
Interment: 13:00 Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery Killeen, Texas.

Upon departing the staging location we will ride as a group to the First United Methodist Church, located at 205 E 3rd Ave Belton, TX 76513. Upon arrival we will immediately form a flag line in preparation for the services which are scheduled to begin at 11:00.

Again, at Gordon’s request, as many riders as possible are requested to join the family inside the church, with flags, to be a part of his service. The church has opened their balcony to the Patriot Guard Riders for this purpose.

Immediately following the memorial service there will be an escort with LEO accompaniment to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery (CTSVC) Hwy 195 Killeen, Texas for a scheduled arrival of 13:00. This is approximately a 35 mile escort.

Upon arrival CTSVC, we will post a flag line by the columbarium where military honors will be provided by the Centex Firing Team and Taps will be presented.

Due to the close personal relationship shared by Gordon and many of the Ride Captains and members of Centex, and the participation of those members in the Honors Detail, I have asked Deputy State Captain of Austin Robert Stancil, and Regional Ride Captain of Austin, Sam Warren, to lead this mission to honor our dear friend. They have graciously accepted this request.

I ask we all join together at this difficult time to honor a great patriot. He deserves more than our humble presence may ever offer but when given his choice, the Patriot Guard Riders are the people Gordon requested.

Ride Captains for this mission:

Robert Stancil
Deputy State Captain Austin

Sam Warren
Regional Ride Captain Austin

Mark Wells
Senior Ride Captain of Operations Austin

Assistant Ride Captain:
Bill Presley Centex

Honors Team:
Harry Morton, Deputy State Captain Centex
Wayne Ward, Regional Ride Captain Centex
Darryl Kaczmarczyk, Centex Ride Captain
Steve Cole, Centex Patriot Guard
Larry Green, Centex Patriot Guard
Mary Gregory, Centex Ride Captain
Keith Longacre, Austin Ride Captain

Austin PGR Announcement

“AUSTIN STAGING FOR: Gordon D. Grunke, U.S. Navy Veteran, ”
Patriot Guard Rider

Date: Friday, May 1, 2009

Time: 0830 to 0850

Briefing: 0850

KSU: 0900

Location: Central Texas Harley Davidson, 2801 N. IH 35 Round Rock, Tx
Exit 254.

Directions: From N/B IH35, Take FM 3406 exit 254. Proceed through the next light approx 1/4 mile to Central Texas Harley Davidson.
S/B IH35, take FM 3406 exit 254. Cross over on FM 3406 to the N/B service road.

Wx: Predicted low of 70 deg and Hi of 87 deg, 20% chance of showers/t-storms

Notes: The ride to the Belton staging location is 40 miles. No stops enroute to Belton, so arrive fed, fueled, and hydrated. Recommend 2 bottles of water

Ride Captain: Terry Ayers, mototerry@texreb.com,
cell: (512) 925-6101 hm: (512) 252-5366
Asst. Ride Captain: Juan Gonzales, jcgonz13@yahoo.com

[markwells]

I will volunteer for the flag truck and do what needs to be done with some direction I am not stable enough to ride yet so count my truck and me in…..

My thoughts and prayers go out to the Grunke family and I know he is watching us to see if we honor him as he has honored others…

[markwells]

Posted on 04/27/2009 17:04

Mission Update:

Some minor details still being finalized. Mission posting anticipated Tuesday April 28 (probably late afternoon) so you can make plans to attend.

I can tell you at this point this will be a flag line at the church followed by approximately a 37 mile escort to CTSVC for interment.

The church service is tentatively scheduled for 11:00 with CTSVC scheduled for 13:00 on Friday May 1.
Continue to monitor this thread and the final itinerary will be posted as soon as possible.

Harry Morton

——————————————————————————–
Deputy State Captain
Centex

[markwells]

Thanks Guys for your Help

[markwells]

Due to some complications with chemotharapy I will not be able to attend this mission

Please stand tall for me to honor this great American Patriot. I will be there in spirit and prayers. Ride safe…

thanks

[markwells]

Many thanks to everyone who supported this mission….well done. The Centex honors team did an outstanding job, and the four-plane flyover was an unexpected but wonderful tribute.

Gordon's family commented that he would be upset not to be standing with us today. Alas, the time came for Gordon to stand down and allow us the honor of standing for him.

[markwells]

Ditto Mark, It was a Great tribute to a Great Man…
Thanks to all

[markwells]

I can't tell you all how touched I was for the turn out and effort put forth today on behalf of Gordon. He would have been so proud to know you all cared so much.

Thank you all for being there.

Sincerely
Harry Morton

[markwells]

As many very well-deserved accolades as there were for the honour team and the folks who orchestrated Gordon's memorial. Let us not forget that nothing can even be good without a solid foundation.

Grand thanks to everyone who stood to honour Gordon!

Side note: I was told there were 55 bikes in attendance. Gordon belonged to Post 55! There was another reference to 55 that day that I just cannot remember now. Maybe someone else could elaborate?

Thanks Harry – the pictures are indeed posted. Special thanks to Wendi for taking over the camera duties – she's a real pro.

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