Pony Express, SrA Ian Taschinger, 25, USAF veteran, Austin, TX, 03 – 04 OCT 2019

[markwells]

[markwells]

See revised Part B timeline below. Other mission details remain unchanged.

Confirmed mission: The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to conduct a Pony Express mission to transport this veteran's remains from Alamogordo, NM to his family in Beaumont, TX. This mission begins on Wed, 02 Oct in NM and finishes Sunday, 06 Oct in Beaumont.

This procession will NOT have LEO escort.

Twenty-five-year-old Ian Taschinger lost his life during a motorcycle accident. He served his country honorably in the US Air Force for four years and was medically discharged on 28 December 2017. During his military service he gained the rank of Senior Airman (E4) and was awarded the following awards/decorations: Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Air Force Longevity Service Medal, and Air Force Training Ribbon.

The family of Airman Taschinger has requested the support of the PGR to escort him from Alamogordo, New Mexico to Beaumont, Texas in a Pony Express Mission. The PGR in Port Arthur has already stood a flag line during a memorial service for Ian and will present his ashes to the family once he arrives there.

Austin Region portion:
Part A:

Date/Time: Thursday, 03 October 2019. See timeline below.

Staging Location: Exxon, 9418 TX-71, Spicewood, TX 78669. We will meet the SAPGR riders here and accept SrA Taschinger.
map link: https://goo.gl/maps/YqwNiRPSFu1Dm3fe6

Timeline:
2:15 – 2:45 pm – Staging
2:45 pm – Briefing
SAPGR riders expected to arrive from Brady, TX about 3:15 pm. KSU for first Austin leg occurs after transfer of remains.

Wx: High 96 F, mostly sunny

Notes: We will ride to Austin Fire Dept Fire Station #42 near ABIA where SrA Taschinger will be transferred to the care of Austin firefighters for the Wednesday overnight. Approx. 50 min ride depending on traffic.

Part A route: https://goo.gl/maps/WbpLbSr3CpDfkDMc8

Part B:

Date/Time: Friday, 04 October 2019. See timeline below.

Staging Location: Austin Fire Station #42, 2434 Cardinal Loop, Del Valle, TX 78617.
map link: https://goo.gl/maps/QMMEyzCiM5Qazzch7

Revised Timeline:
8:55 – 9:25 am – Staging
9:25 am – Briefing & Transfer
9:35 am KSU for the approx 50 minute ride to La Grange, TX.

Wx: High 94 F, partly cloudy.

Notes: We will meet SE Texas PGR @ 10 am at the Texas One Stop of La Grange Shell station, 1704 TX-71, La Grange, TX 78945. After the transfer the Austin portion of this mission is complete.

Part B route: https://goo.gl/maps/2Daaa2DvV3hzP32G9

Ride Captain, both parts: Keith Brown, kbrownl1b@yahoo.com, (512) 422-6310
Flag Wrangler: N/A

General Notes:
1) Stay hydrated. Bring water for yourself and a friend.
2) There is no LEO escort planned for this mission. All riders will obey traffic control devices.
3) Bike-mounted flags must be able to withstand highway speeds.
4) There are no stops in route either day.
5) Do not attempt to join the procession in route. It is unsafe and detracts from our mission.
6) If you do not plan to ride in the day's procession from beginning to end, do not participate in this mission.

Please participate in one or both portions of this mission to help return this young man to his family with honor.

[Squibby]

Part A of the Pony Express ride for SrA Ian Taschinger was a good one. Weather was good and the traffic was not as bad as we had expected. 4 patriots stood a line to receive the remains of this veteran. After a short dignified ceremony 3 Austin Region PGR member along with a rider from the San Antonio group made the hour drive to AFD Fire House 42. The firefighters at this fire house had made a nice place for the remains to stay overnight and participated in the placing of the urn. Part B of this mission left with 3 member and AFD Engine 42 leading the way to the end of town. The ride was smooth and we rendezvoused With SE Texas Region PGR on time. Another dignified ceremony and we departed. God bless the family, those who made the mission and those who couldn't.

[markwells]

“I wanted to thank you once again for the incredible service the Patriot Guard Riders provided for our family last week. It was far, far more than we expected. And as you said, every veteran and first-responder deserves this.

Losing Judah is so unimaginably hard. But actions like this reassure us that he was loved and his service was valued. Thank you so much and please let us know if there is anything we can ever do for your organization.

Sincerely,

Thomas Taschinger
”

[Author]

Posts