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A big thank U to the 8 patriots that stood the flag line to honor this WWII Navy veteran. As is customary, Navy veterans stood on both sides of the church entrance doing all proud. One of the Navy escorts told how Mr. Coleman got blown off his destroyer but his foot caught in the side netting saving his life. I was told he wore his dog tags till the day he passed away.
Thanks to Don for staking out additional flags ahead for those arriving early. They, along w the PGR, made for quite an impression.The wall in DC reflects names of those who died in Viet Nam. What it doesn't show is all those who have died since because of VN ( Agent Orange )
Cpl. Leal may have dealt w this among other things. Ben, a close VN buddy of his, reflected he to was dealing w this. But mostly he spoke of their great friendship & what a great guy Raymond was. He will miss him very much. Ben, along w the 12 of us PGR riders, signed a card for the family. The family was so taken by our presents that they gave the PGR a contribution. I explained this was not required but they insisted. We are most grateful & will put it to good use.
It is an honor to stand for Raymond & his family. Thank you for that honor. May God give you comfort in this time of loss.Although the day started out very rainy causing all but one of us to cage it, the rain stopped & the 7 of stood proudly for Marine Smith. His Wife & family chatted w us before hand & expressed how much it meant to have us there. Also showing up were 4 Leatherneck MC buddies of Sgt. Smith. Interment was not till 1 out in Spicewood, so after the start of the service we departed, with some of us going on to Georgetown for another flag line mission.
Thanks again to Nicki & Soup for flag wrangling. Prestaging flags at the entrance was very impressive.
Thanks everyone, Semper Fidelis,If anyone is interested, I will be at The Whataburger @ 6611 S. Mopac @ 8 AM before going the short 6 minute ride to the FH.
Great turn out of patriots today, 17 including a boy scout & his mother, who came to experience real patriotism. Glad U stood today to honor Mr. Hemoel & his family.
Flag wrangler Nicki & Soup posted flags at the grave site prior to the families arrival & made a nice impression We then formed a U shaped flag line around the interment site & waited for the family. We were fortunate to be mostly in the shade. Military honors were rendered by an AF detachment. As usual, they were super.
Thanks to everyone who took time out of their Sat to honor Mr. Hempel.If anyone is interested, there is a Whataburger @ I-35 & Williams Dr. (S bound) that we could meet at around 8 AM & have a bite to eat & a free senior coffee.
A dozen patriots shared a really neat day with Sgt Castille & his family. We all got a chance for some one on one with him at the staging. He really impressed us with his super positive attitude & Gung Ho spirit. It was very apparent who lives in his heart.
God bless you Jason and may you continue to be a blessing to others.If anyone is interested, there is a Whataburger at 12003 E. US 290, Manor. U can get breakfast & a free senior coffee. It's about 20 minutes from the staging. I plan on being there around 8AM.
What an honor it was for the 12 us us to stand with respect for Cpl Phillip Miller & his family. We were humbled as family & friends came by to personally thank each of us for what we do & what it means to the family. Parking was at a premium so we parked on the brick paver area between the street & the sidewalk. As it turned out, the MCs, with their flags flowing, made an extra visual impact that the family seamed to really appreciate. Thanks Nickie for the extra staked flags that added to whole effect. U guys are super.
There is a parking lot on the south side of the church. Flag line should be shady this time of the day.
Thanks to the 10 PGR members that stood the flag line at the church. Flag Wrangler, Don posted 7 additional flags on the grounds, including a US & Navy flag at the entrance.
After a 2 hours break for lunch, we joined the procession to Capital-Parks Cemetery in Pflugerville & reformed the flag line & rendered honors.PGR Ride Captain, Steve VonRoder was invited by the family to fire a 3 volley salute for CGM Hazelton. Steve joined the Navy honor guard in showing respect to this veteran by fulfilling his wishes.
Steve was dressed in a Texas Navy Captain's uniform from 1836. The weapon used to fire the salute was a ( very loud ) brass blunderbuss. .75 caliber black powder flint lock. This type of weapon was used by Navy sailors, pirates & privateers from the early 1700's. The family was very pleased with the salute.
They had exhausted all avenues to locate a rifle squad. Mr. Hazelton's sister in law contacted Steve, as she remembered he rode with PGR, & gave him a call. " It was an honor to serve the family in this special way. " Steve
Thank U Steve for going above & beyond, especially in that very very hot old time uniform. I consider it an honor & privilege to serve along side these great patriots of the PGR. Thanks for all U do.
If I can get out of town soon enough, I will be eating breakfast at Whataburger (I-35 @ Williams Dr. )
After the service begins & we break down the flag line, there are numerous eateries wilth in 5 minutes of the church.Great turn out for for Cpl Nguyen's family & dedication of the renaming of the stadium. 15 patriots along with several staked flags lined the area of presentation. Thanks to Don for his help w the extra flags. And thanks to all of U for braving the heat & showing what it means to be a Patriot Guard Rider.
Semper Fidelis,15 flags, 11 riders & 3 cagers. Nice turn out. We always ask who came the furthest. This time, Herb Parsons, a close friend of the family, rode all the way from the Ft Worth area. He also happens to be VP of Operations of PGR National. Some of us met at the I-35 RR I-Hop for breakfast & some great fellowship. It was great hearing what is happening at national.
Deputy State Captain, Mark W. passed around a nice card for us to sign & will present it later to the family. Several family & friends walked the flag line & thanked each of us personally. I know I speak for all of us when I say, It is truly an honor to stand for this AF veteran & her family.
Fly forever Margaret.In case anyone wants to beat some of the traffic, there is a Whataburger (aka waterburger) on the south side of 290 in front of the HEB just as U enter DP. They have free Senior coffee, & a great Jalapeno brisket.
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