Sgt Matthew Thomas, airport recovery, Austin, Wed., 17 June

[markwells]

[markwells]

Extremely short notice – Austin Airport Recovery mission, Wednesday, 17 June

Sgt Matthew Thomas, USArmy active duty, 23 yrs old, was killed in an automobile accident on 12 June in North Carolina. Sgt Thomas is from Lockhart, TX and was part of the 82nd Airborne Division. He has been awarded the Army Commendation Medal, the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal and a National Defense Service Ribbon. He will be returned home via Austin Bergstrom International Airport (ABIA) on Wednesday. His family has requested the Patriot Guard Riders join in the recovery and escort.

Austin Staging for Sgt. Matthew Thomas, USA, airport recovery portion

Date: Wednesday, 17 June 2009, flight arrival time 1212 hrs.

PGR will stage at the US Postal Facility at Austin airport (ABIA.)

Directions: From TX 71, take the ABIA CARGO exit and turn south onto Spirit of Texas Dr. At the first stop sign, turn right onto Freight Lane. Stay left at the fork and continue to USPS facility parking lot, which is on the right at the end of the road.

Timeline:
1100 – 1130 hrs staging
1130 hrs safety briefing
1212 hrs scheduled arrival.

PGR will accompany Sgt. Thomas and family to McCurdy Funeral Home in Lockhart. Anticipated departure time from ABIA 1230 hrs. The route is unknown at this time and will be determined by law enforcement officer escort. IF the route takes us onto toll roads, each rider will be responsible for toll charges incurred.

Weather forecast: high of 99. Dress accordingly. Sun screen highly recommended. Bring two bottles of drinking water.

Notes: Come fed, fueled and hydrated. There will be no stops between ABIA and Lockhart, approx. 28 mi. Planeside recovery is at this time undetermined. As always, Semper Gumby.

Sgt Thomas's funeral is scheduled for Monday, 22 June, at 1030 hrs in Lockhart, with interment to follow at Ft Sam Houston National Cemetary in San Antonio. Standby for staging information for the funeral portion of the mission.

Ride Captain: Robert Stancil, 512-217-4740, austinplastering@sbcglobal.net

Please make plans to honor the service and sacrifice of Sgt Thomas and his family.

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