HOTH Mission, Dave Berry Ride, Hutto, TX, 01 APR 2011

[markwells]

[markwells]

Help On The Homefront Confirmed Mission

Riders:

We have received an unusual request from the relatives of a Navy veteran in Hutto. Mr. Dave Berry, a motorcycle rider in his younger days, is afflicted with stage 4 non-small cell cancer that has metastasized throughout his body and brain. Chemo and radiation treatments have not resulted in a positive effect and have been stopped.

Dave would like to be able to ride one more time before he leaves us. He is unable to ride alone and would have to ride on the back of someone's bike. As none of his family rides or even owns a bike, they have turned to the PGR with this request. We will meet up with Dave, take him for a short ride through the back roads around Hutto, stop at El Corral in Taylor for breakfast with him and his family, then ride back to Hutto.

Date: Friday, 01 April 2011

Austin Staging Location:
We'll meet up with Dave and his family at the McDonalds in Hutto, located at 608 Hwy 79, west side of Hutto. Map link: tinyurl.com/mcdonaldshutto

Timeline:
8:00 – 8:20 am staging
8:20 am briefing
8:30 am KSU

Wx: Partly Cloudy, low 58, high 83 deg. Please bring your own drinking water.

Notes: Please arrive fueled and hungry! We'll leave the McDonalds and head south on FM 1660 to FM 973 and into Taylor, arriving at El Corral about 9 am for breakfast. El Corral is at 302 W. 2nd Street, Taylor. map link: tinyurl.com/ElCorralTaylor. After breakfast we'll ride back to Hutto. Routes subject to change.

Ride Captain: Steve von Roeder, svroeder@sbcglobal.net, cell 512-466-5769, home 512-837-3843

We all like to "ride to eat", but this time it will mean much more to one person in particular. Please come out and enjoy a leisurely ride and breakfast with this veteran and his family.

[markwells]

The family is really excited about this event. it will be a surprise to Dave.

Thanks,
Steve

[markwells]

I imagine Steve will post when he gets back into town, but wanted to let those who couldn't make it know about the mission.

Great turnout for Dave Berry today, 19 bikes rode from the Micky D's to Taylor. Dave rode with Bud on his trike, leading the way outbound, and tailgunner on the return. Nice job, Bud. Dave's family followed in their car.

The restaurant handled the crowd quite well, considering we practically took over the place. Also, special thanks to Jim Rudd for providing the Texas Flag which had flown over the capitol as a gift for Dave.

Here's the photos which Tony Richmond took today: https://picasaweb.google.com/lh/sredir?uname=adr257ynot&target=ALBUM&id=5590747828953991361&authkey=Gv1sRgCLTys8Dog4ybxAE&feat=email

Dave and his family were thankful beyond words, and we enjoyed doing what we could for him.

[markwells]

What a great day! Thank you to the Berry family for allowing us to deviate from our normal missions, and join them for the celebration with Dave. He's a wonderful man and I can't tell you how much pleasure I got from participating in this mission. Thank you to my fellow PGR members for the amazing support, you guys/gals are absolutely the best! And thank you to Tony for the awesome photographs. You captured the spirit of the day and have recorded the joy of all of those who participated!

God bless you Dave and family, YOU made our day special and I know that I won't forget it!

Kelly

[markwells]

Thanks to everyone who participated in the mission for Dave Berry on Friday, the turnout was beyond anyone’s expectation. Special thanks to Bud for letting Dave co-pilot on the trike. Nice little ride on FM 1660.
Jim Rudd not only provided a Texas Flag that had flown over the Capitol, but picked a great breakfast place. Good food, good prices and excellent service. Thanks to those who chipped in to buy breakfast for the family. They were extremely pleased. Nancy sent me this “What an amazing day. I can't thank you enough. Such a blessing. When I got Dave home, he cried tears of joy. God Bless you ALL!!!
Thank you so much.
Nancy Dillard”

You all provided a veteran a special experience. This mission was an unusual request but with your help we made it happen and made for an unforgettable experience for Dave and for all who participated. The Austin PGR folks are an amazing group and I am very proud to be a part.

Thanks for being there!
Cap’n Cannonball

[markwells]

Folks, we received the news of Dave's passing today:

“Steve,

Just wanted to let you know that we lost Dave Friday. Some of the guys said they would like to be there for the funeral so am sending along the info. We will not be having a gravesite service. Dave will be cremated but we will be having a memorial. It will be at Shoreline Christian Center at:

Shoreline Christian Center
15201 Burnet Rd, Austin, TX 78728-3505
Austin, TX

It will be this Tuesday May 10, 2011 at 1:30 pm. There will be food after. Shoreline is a casual church so jeans are perfectly welcome.

We would love to have you guys with us. You gave Dave a lot of joyous memories to hold on to in his last days and we can not thank you enough.

Love you guys,
Nancy Dillard”

[Author]

Posts