(SA PGR) LCpl. John Farias – Marine KIA – 06 & 07 July 2011 – New Braunfels, Tx

[markwells]

[markwells]

Confirmed San Antnio Mission
LCpl. John Farias Marine KIA

The Patriot Guard has been invited by the family to stand and honor LCpl. John Farias (Marines), who was killed while conducting combat operations in Helmand province, Afghanistan. LCpl. Farias was assigned to 1st Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, 1st Marine Division, I Marine Expeditionary Force, Camp Pendleton, Califonia. Recovery will be on Wednesday (July 06) at New Braunfels airport at 10:00am. Services will be held on Thursday (July 07) at Tree Of Life Church in New Braunfels at 11:00am, with interment to follow at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery with full military honors at. If available, please try to attend to honor one of our fallen heroes and support the family during their time of loss. Thank you.

Recovery Mission – Wednesday (July 06)

Staging: 09:00am
New Braunfels Airport
2333 Farm-to-Market Road 758
New Braunfels, Tx
Map Link – http://tiny.cc/nh75e
Briefing: 09:15am

Weather:
Sunny
Low 75* / High 102*

Ride Captain:
Charles Rathgeber
XtremeVFR@satx.rr.com

Services Mission – Thursday (July 07)
** Helmets Are Required While Riding On Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery Grounds **

Staging: 10:00am
Tree Of Life Church
5513 IH 35 South
New Braunfels, Tx
Map Link – tiny.cc/1jc4u
Briefing:10:15am

** Note: Church service is expected to last 1 – 1 1/2 hours, and interment is scheduled for 2pm **
Weather:
Sunny
Low 76* / High 104*
Please try to hydrate the night before and eat prior to the mission

Ride Captain:
Charles Rathgeber
XtremeVFR@satx.rr.com

Flag Truck:
Paula Johnson

[markwells]

Austin staging for LCpl John Farias airport recovery portion.

Date: Wednesday, 6 July 2011

Austin staging location:
Cracker Barrel in Buda, right by the parking lot of Cabela's, 550 Old San Antonio Rd., Buda, TX 78610 (easily seen from Cabela's parking lot). Map link: tinyurl.com/36rzg4e

Timeline:
7:20 am to 7:50 am Staging
7:50 am Briefing
8:00 am KSU

It is about 38 miles and a 40 min ride to the airport in New Braunfels. Arrive fed (come early & eat at Cracker Barrel), fueled up (available at staging), with water & sunblock for the Texas sun/heat.

On arrival we will come under the direction of the San Antonio Ride Captain for the arrival and procession to the funeral home.

Ride Captain: Sam Warren, 512-217-4191, samhwk@gmail.com

[markwells]

Since the next couple of days are going to be a bit busy for us in the SA area, I wanted to take a moment ahead of time to thank those that are planning to help us out tomorrow with our recovery mission in New Braunfels.

As you have seen, we have two missions Wednesday at the same time, and most of our riders will be in San Antonio since that KIA is associated with the ALR in Converse, which is a large part of our area's riders. Needless to say, those coming South, you assistance is welcomed and greatly appriciated by myself and the Farias family.

Thank you for all that you do to our North, ride safe and hope to shake some hands tomorrow with y'all, it's been too long since I've been able to ride with Austin, so I am looking forward to seeing y'all again.
Take Care My Friends

[markwells]

I am planning on caging this from Austin.
Anyone need a ride ?

[markwells]

I am trying to estimate my times, so I can give notification.

For the July 06 Recovery Mission at the New Braunfels Airport … where will the Recovery Mission finish?

I received an email that said the Recovery Mission will finish in New Braunfels

[markwells]

Procession will end at Zoeller's Funeral Home in New Braunfels and time should be 15-30 minutes depending on the speed set and since they will be going through town. The city is trying to get people and businesses out along Seguin Ave. and around the town square to show support for the family, so it's not the most direct route (time wise).

Please note that we will not have a flag line for this recovery mission since the funeral home wants to keep things moving and I don't want to do anything to slow them down. We will be forming an honor line at the funeral home and then quietly disappear.

[markwells]

100+ bikes yesterday at the New Braunfels airport to escort LCpl Farias home. Hundreds of people just outside the fence, and not a sound was heard but for the occasional crackle of a police radio from the time the plane came to a stop until the motorcade departed.

The City of New Braunfels came to a halt in his honor, with thousands lining the streets, clumps of folks starting at the airport, and the downtown area packed. Not a single vehicle was moving in the oncoming lane.

Great job Charles for organizing this, and hats off to New Braunfels. This family knows that their sacrifice did not go unnoticed or unappreciated.

[markwells]

I would like to add to Mark's post with a big thank you to the 20 riders who got up very early for the ride to New Braunfels to stand tall for LCpl. John Farias upon his arrival at the airport. The ride to the staging area near Cabela's was pleasantly cool. I think that most of us did not even think about the heat later during the solemn ride to the funeral home because of the respect shown by the citizens who lined the entire route. I'm sure that many eyes were sweating though.
What you do does make a big difference in people's lives. I am proud to ride with you.

Sam Warren
Austin RC

[markwells]

Nicely said, Mark. It was an honor to participate in this mission and feel the amazing support of the New Braunfels community!

Kelly

[markwells]

It was a beautiful showing for the funeral,about 140 bikes
and 6 miles of cars.Every single bridge from the church to San Antonio had people,Ems, Fire and Police vehicles with flags and signs saying thank you for your service John,It was a honor to ride for this young man.
Colton

[markwells]

I am very disappointed that I was unable to ride in either phase of this mission. 3 of my HS years were in New Braunfels back in the 70's, many of my friends from that time are still citizens there. It's not such a small town any longer, and that the city turned out in force makes me very proud of what I call my home town.

As Sam said, what the PGR does DOES make a big difference in people's lives. Thanks to all who made a difference to a family and a community in a very sad time.

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