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It was a nice day for a ride with overcast clouds and temps in the mid 70s this morning. I left the house in Liberty Hill at 8am to arrive at the funeral home in Elgin by 9:30am staging. 5 Patriots rode out from various locations, including our Deputy State Captain, Mark. We both had our big flags on display, so it was only fitting that Mark brings up the rear with his flag. With me of course in front with the service flag and American flag as the Ride Captain.
It was actually at Boatswain’s Mate Second Class James (Bud) Morris’ request prior to his death that he be escorted by the PGR instead of having any pop and circumstance with the Masons. Bud was a member of the Freemasonry. It’s not every day we get the honor and privilege to escort a 99-year old WWII vet (Iwo Jima survivor). Bud was very active right up to the end with riding horses and weekend dance halls.
Since this was an escort only mission, there were no flags at either the funeral home, or at the cemetery. Therefore, I stood at the entrance of the funeral home to alert PGR members (as the norm is to look for the American Flags). I received several horn gestures from passing motorists during the staging portion, which in and of itself is a humbling feeling where strangers pay their condolences to a Vet.
The LEO escort route took us right past Bud’s house, where a family member recorded the procession. It was nice to see on-coming traffic pull over to a stop and respect the funeral procession. There are still decent folk who support our troops and veterans. Truly amazing to witness.
9 Patriots responded to the mission for flag line prior to funeral service for Master Chief Gary Mac Parker in Brushy Creek. Temps started in the mid-60s with cloudy sky. By the time we struck the flag line around 10am, some clouds dispersed allowing the sun to shine with temps in the 70s. We stationed 2 patriots, one at each driveway entrance towards the road, where some vehicles responded with some horn honks. The remainder were at the entrance to the chapel to stand silently with flags unfurled as family and friends began making their way inside for the viewing and service. It was our honor to stand in respect for Master Chief Parkers service to our country in both the Navy and Texas National Guard.
I arrived at 9:15am at Woodlawn Baptist Church. The weather was cloudy (dark grey overcast) with temps mid 40s. I met with the family (wife Rhonda) to ascertain what entrance to set up the flag line. I proceeded to walk the complex, making my way to the church office where I met with the Pastor, who provided the alternative site for staging. While waiting for fellow PGRs the hearse arrived, paying my respect as it drove by. I then followed the hearse to the back entrance and stood guard while the casket carrying Petty Officer Second Class David Owen Eugene Summers II was brought into the chapel.
Although our flag wrangler couldn’t attend, three patriots stood at the entrance to the chapel forming an honor line prior to the service. The sun came out and warmed to the mid 50s while standing at the entrance. The wind swirled a bit from time to time tossing the fallen leaves like snow around us. The honor was ours to stand and pay our respects to David Summers along with his family and friends.
The procession to Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery should be sunny with bright blue skies. The San Antonio PRG will pick up the flag line at the interment site. The Austin PGR opted not to participate in the procession, departing quietly as the service began at 11am.
Four patriots attended the flag line for Alfred Billy Spakes, Jr. We were greeted by a Niece and a Brother while waiting to start the flag line. The gusty winds kept the flags furling, with 3 American Flags and 1 USMC flag. Several children believed to be 2nd or 3rd generation were playing various games of hide & go seek, freeze tag, and a wolf number game on the front lawn of the funeral home prior to the start of the memorial service. The Niece informed us they didn’t realize their Uncle served in the Marines until they found some paperwork within his bible. We are humbled and privileged to stand in support of Corporal Spakes, Jr. It was partly cloudy with temps near 90 and lucky enough to have some shade from the funeral home behind us. We stood in the flag line for approximately 45 minutes in solemn respect and quietly departed. One of the flag holders was from the local VFW who knew some of the family members in attendance.
11 Patriots rode in from 3 different PGR regions (Austin, Bandera, San Antonio) to stand the flag line at the funeral home in Fredericksburg for USMC Lance Corporal Adrien Rodriguez-Bonilla. We had one 1st-timer in the line (Charlie), and a service dog in training (I forget the dogs name, but the PGR handler was Deb). The dog rode comfortably complete with goggles on the back seat of the Harley trike. The morning ride was overcast clouds with fog in the valley. Majority of fog was south in San Antonio which hampered a few riders from making the flag line in time. In Fredericksburg, the clouds broke away and sun shone down on the flag line providing no shade for the Patriots.
Following the completion of the funeral service, we were part of the funeral procession escorting USMC Lance Corporal Adrien Rodriguez-Bonilla to his final resting place at Mountain View Cemetery in Kerrville. The PGR was staged behind the lead funeral home SUV, and in front of the Lance Corporals pick-up truck (driven by his Father Jesse), with the casket in the bed of the truck. This was a 24 mile ride involving 4 different law enforcement agencies. We passed 2 fire station houses, who had their ladder trucks extended over the road with the American Flag flying from the ladder rung. The fire fighters stood at attention and saluted as the procession went by. It was also incredible to see the on-coming traffic pull over to the shoulder and stop as we drove through the various counties and cities between Fredericksburg and Kerrville. The utmost respect provided to the fallen soldier.
At the cemetery, we were joined by additional San Antonio PGR riders to make a total of 14 patriots flanking the grave site of USMC Lance Corporal Adrien Rodriguez-Bonilla. The service included full military honors from the Marine Corps with a 21-gun salute, Taps, and the presenting of the American flag to the family.
11 Patriots rode in from 3 different PGR regions (Austin, Bandera, San Antonio) to stand the flag line at the funeral home in Fredericksburg for USMC Lance Corporal Adrien Rodriguez-Bonilla. We had one 1st-timer in the line (Charlie), and a service dog in training (I forget the dogs name, but the PGR handler was Deb). The dog rode comfortably complete with goggles on the back seat of the Harley trike. The morning ride was overcast clouds with fog in the valley. Majority of fog was south in San Antonio which hampered a few riders from making the flag line in time. In Fredericksburg, the clouds broke away and sun shone down on the flag line providing no shade for the Patriots.
Following the completion of the funeral service, we were part of the funeral procession escorting USMC Lance Corporal Adrien Rodriguez-Bonilla to his final resting place at Mountain View Cemetery in Kerrville. The PGR was staged behind the lead funeral home SUV, and in front of the Lance Corporals pick-up truck (driven by his Father Jesse), with the casket in the bed of the truck. This was a 24 mile ride involving 4 different law enforcement agencies. We passed 2 fire station houses, who had their ladder trucks extended over the road with the American Flag flying from the ladder rung. The fire fighters stood at attention and saluted as the procession went by. It was also incredible to see the on-coming traffic pull over to the shoulder and stop as we drove through the various counties and cities between Fredericksburg and Kerrville. The utmost respect provided to the fallen soldier.
At the cemetery, we were joined by additional San Antonio PGR riders to make a total of 14 patriots flanking the grave site of USMC Lance Corporal Adrien Rodriguez-Bonilla. The service included full military honors from the Marine Corps with a 21-gun salute, Taps, and the presenting of the American flag to the family.
8 Patriots attended the mission for USMC MSgt John S. Barron (Stew). By visiting with the family we learned several immediate family and in-laws are Devil Dogs themselves. The family sent the following note after the service: “Patti, on behalf of our family, we wanted to let you know that we were honored to have your group show up and support our family during our fare-well services for our Dad. We were not expecting that and are deeply grateful for your support! Thank you all for your service to our great nation. Semper fi”
We were fortunate to erect the flag line in the comfort of shade with temps in the mid-90s. There was a slight breeze as well which the flags stretched out from time to time. The USMC provided an honor guard complete with the playing of Taps and the presentation of the US flag to the surviving family members.
Two PGR accompanied the LEO escorted procession from Pflugerville to Granger. The weather forecast proved better than reported, with partly cloudy blue skies and temps feeling like 90s for the 35 mile ride through the backroads (and some highway riding) to the Holy Cross Cemetery in Granger.
Upon arrival we met up with the Flag Wrangler for a total of 2 US flags and the Army flag on the line at the burial site. Full military honors with taps and the presenting of the American flag to CPL Messex’ wife Vickie was performed by two Army soldiers.
A special thanks to the LEO escort who got us there safely and to the family for requesting our presence during their time of heart-felt loss.There were 20 Patriots who road/drove up to participate in the flag line for CDR Sammy Berton Kyzar. Among them were two Patriots attending their first mission.It was a beautiful spring day with temps nearing 80 and gusty winds during the flag line at First United Methodist Church in Round Rock.Mrs. Margaret Kyzar’s son-in-laws planned the memorial service, surprising her when she saw us standing with our flags in the gusting winds lining the entryway to the chapel.It was a tremendous turnout for this retired veteran of the Navy. Several motorists passing the church expressed their condolences by honking their horns as they went by.“Standing for those who stood for us”.
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