James F Cook, Jr., 73, US Navy/Vietnam veteran, Austin-Smithville, 15 MAY 2020

[markwells]

[markwells]

Riders, this mission email originally went to the 17 riders who have signed up as Big Flag Bike riders. We now have LEO escort so we can open it up to all PGR riders who can make it.

This is an accompaniment with approx five family vehicles carrying the cremated remains of this veteran from Austin to the family home in Smithville. 

Confirmed mission: The family of Mr. James Franklin Cook, Jr has requested the participation of the Patriot Guard Riders in transporting him from Austin to Smithville.  Mr. Cook served in the US Navy for four years including 1967 – 68 in Vietnam. He was a Corpsman and was awarded two purple hearts.  

An obituary has not yet been published.

Date/Time: Friday, 15 May 2020. KSU from the location noted below is 12:30 pm.

Staging Location: Neptune Society Office, 911 W Anderson Ln #111, Austin, TX 78757.  This is SW corner of North Lamar and Hwy 183.
map link: https://goo.gl/maps/NT6pyvBvdG5RKD286

Timeline:
11:45 am – 12:15 pm – Staging
12:15 pm – Briefing
12:30 pm – KSU for the 45 – 60 minute ride to the family home at 250 Cottletown Rd, Smithville, TX 78957.

Wx: Hi 87 deg, 40% isolated storm chance.  Monitor your email Friday morning for a possible weather related cancellation. 

Notes: Bring a bottle of water for yourself and one for a friend. Arrive at the staging fully fueled and fed. Maintain current social distancing protocols. Wear a mask at the staging if you have one. Stay six feet apart. Upon arrival at the family home riders will render appropriate honors during the transfer of remains and depart.

Ride Captain: Mark Wells, atxpgr@gmail.com, 512-470-0380
Flag Wrangler: N/A

[markwells]

Great turnout today to honor Corpsman Cook. We had 17 bikes in the procession from Austin to Smithville including four from the Combat Vets, one of whom bore Mr. Cook's remains. We formed an honor line in the parking lot as he was placed in the trike.

A big THANK YOU to Austin PD motors who did a wonderful job getting us safely out of town. After they dropped out the procession was separated a few times by traffic lights but not so bad that we weren't able to reconstitute ourselves and arrive safely at the family residence.

On the warm side with sunny skies and not a drop of rain in sight.

Thank you to Mr. Cook's daughter Shannon for inviting the PGR to participate. She said her dad was a Harley rider, and it was a perfect finale.

RIP James Franklin Cook.

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