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Mission summary: RC Warren Longacre
The Austin Patriot Guard Riders escorted SSG Adam Presley to CTSVC in Killeen, TX. SSG Presley was a Veteran of the War on Terror in Afghanistan. Presley served in the Army and ANG for 23 years. We had 6 riders from PGR and 2 riders that served with SSG Presley. We met the family In Georgetown at Ramsey Funeral Home. There was no LED for this Mission. We stood at a flag line in CTSVC. The weather was great.

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On a pleasant spring afternoon we had eight in the flag line today to honor the service of Mr. Bob Lipsey. One was Paul Larson, a PGR from Mission, TX who was on hand to honor his friend today. Thank you for standing the flag line with us.

Thanks also to Lance Owen for bringing the flags and for staking them in front of the funeral home in advance. We formed the line at 1:15 to be in place as people arrived for the visitation prior to the funeral service. Once the funeral service began we departed. Thank you to all who attended.

RIP, SFC Lipsey.

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From the family of CMSgt William Larrimer:
Keith,
Will you please pass along my most sincere Thank you for their service at Bill’s funeral. I have enclosed a small donation for your Patriot Guard. I am sure you will know how to put it to good use.

The men riding that day:
Don, PGR, Army
Lance
Keith, USMC
Warren, USAF
Gary
Ray

Thank you,
Francene

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We were humbled to stand for this American hero today. Members of Capt Forrester’s family visited with the 21 PGR in attendance prior to the flag line, took photos, and thanked us for honoring his ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation.

Many of us stayed for the closing event which took place outdoors after the memorial service. The Texas A&M Corps of Cadets rendered honors with a flag honor guard, 21 gun rifle volley, and echo taps. They looked and sounded very sharp. Afterwards, Austin RC/USMC veteran Keith Longacre did a beautiful job presenting a gold PGR challenge coin to Capt Forrester’s daughter, Karoni. Bob Johnson of SAPGR then gave her a plaque.

Thank you Nicki for bringing flags and water. Thank you to all who attended today’s mission, especially the SAPGR riders and those who came from a distance to honor this KIA Marine.

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Soup Campbell mission summary:

It was a beautiful sunny day for the service honoring Major Frank Cecil Stolz Jr.. As a result, we had 13 patriots attending to honor this genuine Marine hero. The Majors daughter, Kathy Burgess made the trek out to our staging area and brought many family members including her 4 sons to let us know how much it meant to the family for us to be there. We received exceptional support from the Hill Country Bible Church. Our point of contact, Shelly, who’s info was provided by Kathy, was exceptionally helpful. As a result we were able to stake flags at key locations throughout the large campus which also housed a 900+student K-12 campus.

The flag line was uneventful and well organized by Patti who received her Ride Captain designation from our Deputy State Captain, Mark Wells.

A beautiful day, beautiful setting and a dedicated group of PGR members helped make this a meaning service for the family.

RIP Major Frank Cecil Stolz Jr.

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From the family of Horace B. Hamilton, Jr.

TO: The Honorable Mark Wells – Austin Regional Deputy State Captain, Patriot Guard

The Family of Horace B. Hamilton, Jr. wishes to thank you so much for the generous respect and honor you gave to my father at his funeral and burial ceremony. Your incredible show of respect was absolutely awe-inspiring, and it took our breath away! Overcoming the rainy weather, seeing your procession entering the cemetery, and attending Dad’s graveside service and “Standing For Those Who Stood For Us”, is an image that cannot ever be forgotten. My words of thank you cannot convey how greatly we appreciate it.

We published a public thank you to everyone who honored him, in the local Caldwell newspaper. Attached is an enlarged copy.

With heartfelt gratitude to you, the Ride Captains, Gary Mayers, Lance Owen, Keith Longacre, Patty Hutto, Thomas Miller, Ray Hughes and the entire Organization. You are all awesome patriots and heroes!

Brenda H. Terry
Daughter Of
Horace B. Hamilton, Jr.

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We had 12 turnout today to honor the service of US Navy veteran Vann Weldon, including two first time riders. Welcome, Dale & Christopher, and thank you to the other patriots who rode through the morning fog to attend this mission in Taylor.

Thank you in particular to Lance Owen for bringing the flags and staking some in front of the church for those arriving early for the visitation.

The funeral service ran long, and our LEO escort cancelled, so the call was made to limit the procession to PGR and funeral home vehicles only, with the family and friends heading to the cemetery separately. This worked out well, with no issues in route.

The Navy looked sharp rendering military honors. RIP Mr. Halmer Vann Weldon. Thank you for serving our country.

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From the Monty Gage family:

Dear Patriot Guard,

Your kindness and sympathy are more deeply appreciated than any words of thanks can express. Your presence at Monty’s memorial was so very special.

Respectfully,
Frances Gage

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From the Gage family:
Dear Patriot Guard,

Your kindness and sympathy are more deeply appreciated than any words of thanks can express. Your presence at Monty’s memorial was so very special.

Respectfully,
Frances Gage

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We had six in the flag line on a warm, muggy day to honor 1SG Rider. Thanks in particular to Lance and Don for flag wrangling today. Two for the price of one!

After the start of the funeral two of us stayed to join the procession over to CTSVC. Greg and Stephanie arrived two-up from Centex, so we had two motorcycles behind the hearse and Calvin in his flag flying jeep bringing up the rear of the procession. We had good LEO support the entire way, almost two hours. My MC outdoor air display told me it was 101 F, and it felt like it!

RIP 1SG Rogers Rider. Thank you for your 24 years of faithful service.

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We had seven in the flag line today to honor the service of Mr. Toungate. It was early with a nice breeze, so it was OK for even those standing in the sun.

There were lots of LEO on hand, motors and otherwise, who continued to arrive even as we concluded the mission. The procession to CTSVC promised to be quite a sight. Representatives of the local Marine Corps League posted a few USMC flags as well.

Thank you Don for again bringing flags.

RIP, Corporal and Officer Toungate. Thank you for your many years of service to our country and community.

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Thank you to everyone who changed their plans at the last minute to attend this very short notice mission to honor the service of WWII veteran Clarence Beck. We had 10 in the flag line at the cemetery for the graveside service. Thank you in particular to Max for bringing the flags and water from Kyle up to Pflugerville through the legendary Austin traffic.

The family was especially appreciative. Our WWII heroes are rapidly declining in number, and it was our privilege to have joined them at his final farewell.

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It was our privilege to once again participate in the Granger Memorial Day Ceremony. We had nine riders on hand, including a first timer (Doug). The event was well attended by people of all ages and was closed by a beautiful rendition of Taps provided by a volunteer trumpeter from Bugles Across America.

Thanks again to Don for bringing the flags and to all who attended. What a great way to start this day.

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Seven Austin riders participated in this escort of the special baggage handling cart from Burnet to Luckenbach, six bikes with Warren and Marilyn two-up. We joined about 25 other bikes arriving from the north and rode in light rain the entire way.

Calling this item a “cart” is an understatement. It looks professionally designed and built, with all military branch emblems and LEO represented. How fitting to have a veteran’s remains placed in this after coming off a commercial airliner.

Thank you to all who participated today. BTW, your bike needs a wash!

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From Mr. Wayne Esping’s daughter:

“Thank you to the Patriot Guard Riders and Beth Borkosky for organizing the Honor Guard/Patriot Riders for our Pop’s services. It was beautiful, amazing and touching. He would have pulled over and saluted if he had seen the motorcade of over 50 riders paying tribute to a veteran. There are not enough words of thanks. Our mom was blown away when she arrived to church and saw them all with their flags, standing at attention and saluting him. Thank you, thank you, thank you!”

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