[markwells]

Great turnout today for SFC Sawyer and his family. Hard to say exactly how many with the two flag lines and arrivals/departures, but Id say 60 grateful patriots is not too far off. Nice little rain shower during the break to rinse the drought dust off the scooters, too.

Thank you all for spending the better part of your Saturday to honor
SFC Sawyer's sacrifice and support his family and friends at this tragic time. A wonderful effort and execution by all involved, including the many folks who lined the route past Sun City and through Florence. That display must have brought some comfort to this grieving family, and blurred vision to our eyes.

May the Lord grant SFC Sawyer his well earned rest and bring peace and comfort to those he left behind.

[markwells]

Bill "Maddog" Presley of Centex PGR went to the City of Florence administration on Thursday to inform them of the procession bearing SFC Sawyer which will pass through their town on on its way to CTSVC on Saturday. Later that afternoon Mary "Marebear" Gregory, Centex DSC, received the following email from the Florence Chief of Police. He asked that we pass it on to SFC Sawyer's wife and family, which we will do, but it is posted here also, as he expresses so beautifully what is in our hearts.

“To the wife and children of SFC Ronald Sawyer:

I am so very sorry for your loss. I know that there are no words that I can give you that will comfort you in this very difficult time. Please know that you, your family and all the friends of SFC Ronald Sawyer are in my prayers. I hold SFC Sawyer (and all of our military men and women) in the deepest regard. SFC Sawyer and all soldiers are our true Heroes, not sports figures, movie stars and music stars. Your husband has paid the ultimate sacrifice and this country owes him a debt of gratitude that we will unfortunately never be able to repay.

On August 28th, my son, PFC Tyler Dever, graduated from Basic Combat Training at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. I have never been as proud of my son as I am now. He has never wanted to be anything but a soldier. He too will be paying his last respects to your husband as you pass through Florence.

May God Bless you, keep you safe and comfort you during your time of loss. As SFC Sawyer passes through the City of Florence, I am happy to honor him on this saddest of occasions. My condolences and Hooah.

In service to all,

Chief Jeff Dever
Florence PD
”

[markwells]

I would be honored to "Stand Tall" for this fallen hero! See you Saturday morning. May God bless and protect this family.

[markwells]

Here is a news article from Missouri regarding the loss of SFC Sawyer:

http://www.stjoenews.net/news/2009/aug/28/area-soldier-killed-combat/

Here also is the local Austin obituary:

http://www.legacy.com/Statesman/Obituaries.asp?Page=LifeStory&PersonId=132220357

[markwells]

Great turnout today to Honor SMSgt Mills.
Kudos to the Honors team, you guys did an awesome job.
And Thanks to all of our Centex brothers for their long day!!

[markwells]

Thanks to everyone who was able to make the airport recovery for SFC Sawyer this morning. Mark made our ramp presence more official and appropriate by diverting to the airport with the flags prior to making the mission in Lockhart……Thanks Mark.
The family was not able to attend the arrival, so you were this hero's family for his arrival home.
Well done…………….
Sam

[markwells]

will be in austin on saturday,see yaw then.god bless this family

[markwells]

Everyone – Thank you very much for all you did to help honor Bennie today, including those who were with us in spirit. It was a very busy day for Austin and Centex PGR members and I think Bennie's family understood that. They were overwhelmed by your presence. Its a priviledge to ride with you. Allow me to echo Andy's thanx to all flag wranglers.
Sincerely…….Gerry

[markwells]

Updated 03 September

Final Itinerary – SFC Ronald Sawyer, Funeral & Interment

SFC Sawyer was killed in action by an IED in Afghanistan on 25 August. The Patriot Guard Riders are honored and humbled to have been invited to participate in his funeral and interment services.

Date/Time: Saturday, 05 September 2009. Service scheduled to begin at 0900 hrs (9:00 am)

Location: Heights Assembly of God, 3314 Burleson Road, Austin, TX. We will stage at the church.

Directions: The church is located in South Austin. If traveling southbound on I35, exit at Oltorf St., turn left and head east on Oltorf a short distance to Burleson. Turn right (south), the church is approx. 1 mile on the right. Park in the NW area of the north parking lot. Map link: tinyurl.com/kruujt

Timeline:
0800 – 0820 hrs staging at the church
0820 briefing
0825 flag line in place

Wx: Partly cloudy, Lo 70, high 91, 30% chance of thunderstorms. Come hydrated and bring drinking water and a small non-perishable food ration, as it will be a long morning. Rain gear is recommended.

Notes:
Early Flag Line: The family and coach bearing SFC Sawyer will arrive at the church at approx. 0730 hrs. Riders who wish to arrive early to stand a flag line for this arrival please be at the church by 0700 (7:00 am)

Procession: At the conclusion of the church service there will be a procession up to Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery (CTSVC) for the scheduled 1230 hrs interment service. Centex PGR will establish a flag line at CTSVC in advance of the arrival, at which point we are under the direction of the Centex ride captain. .

This is a 75 mile ride, with no stops, on a route to be determined by law enforcement but likely to include SH130 toll road. Toll charges are the responsibility of the individual rider.

Ride Captain: Juan Gonzales, JCGonz13@yahoo,com, 512-466-8968
Asst RC: Russ Miller
Flag Wranglers: Mark Brittain, Sam Warren

Our Mission is to honor this fallen soldier and pay respects to his family. Stand tall and silent as we salute this American Hero.

[markwells]

Thanks to Sgt Gwinn for his service, we are glad he is home. It was really nice of the family to include us and allow us to share in a special moment. I truly appreciate the riders who were able to make the really short notice mission. It is an honor for me to stand with you.

Thanks for all you do,
cannonball

[markwells]

Yep, that was fun. Thanks Steve & Andy for setting that up and the 14 folks who gave Justin a memorable arrival back in Austin.

[markwells]

Please stand tall for me as this Great American Hero is taking his final journey as I will not be able to make the mission
Prayers and thoughts for SMSgt Mills and his family..I will be there in spirit…

[markwells]

Great turnout today for such a short notice.
Thanks to all that made it, and again Welcome Home SGT Gwinn !!!

[markwells]

I am honored to Welcome this Soldier home !!!
What a GREAT THING !!!
Thank you SGT Gwinn for your service.

[markwells]

Very Short Notice Welcome Home – Monday, 31 August 2009

SGT Justin Gwinn of the Texas National Guard is returning home this evening after a long deployment in Iraq. His mother Donna has asked if the Patriot Guard Riders could help welcome him home and is very excited to have us participate.

SGT Gwinn will be flying into ABIA from an intermediate stop at Ft Bliss via Southwest Airlines flight 3832, scheduled to arrive at 1900 hrs (7 pm) this evening.

The plan is to form a flag line outside the terminal so when he exits with his friends and family we will be there to show how much we appreciate his service. There will be no procession from the airport, we are finished once our soldier departs.

Date: Monday, 31 August (TODAY)

Timeline:
1830 – 1850 (6:30 – 6:55 pm) staging
1900 (7 pm) flag line in place

Motorcycle Parking: We have permission from airport authorities to park curbside lower level for a one hour period only, starting at 6:30 pm. Do not arrive early, you will be told to keep moving. Location is at the far east end of the lower level, curbside, just past the passenger pickup area. There is a large pillar labeled with the number 6 at this spot.

Cage parking: Cages are certainly welcome but recommend you park in the short term parking garage instead as we have permission curbside for motorcycles only.

Ride Captains: Steve Von Roeder, Andy Lough, 512-441-9297
Flag Wrangler: Mark Wells

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