[markwells]

The Military Order of the Purple Heart, Austin chapter, is holding a Salute to Veterans picnic in Driftwood, TX this coming Saturday.

A part of the day's events will be a portrait presentation by Phil Taylor of the American Fallen Soldier's Project to the parents of Sgt 1st Class Nathan Ross Chapman. Sgt Chapman, of San Antonio, was a Green Beret and the first American killed in the war in Afghanistan. He was KIA on 04 Jan 2002 and left behind a wife and two young children.

The event organizers have invited the PGR to participate. You may recall that we participated in two other such portrait presentations at the State Capitol. In this case, however, there will be Elgin sausage, catfish, side dishes, and dessert served! Here are the details:

Date: Saturday, 23 May 2009

Location: Driftwood, TX, 10:00 am

Staging: The old Albertson’s parking lot just southwest of the “Y” in Oak Hill.

Staging time: Briefing at 0900, KSU at 0915 for the approx. 12 mi ride to the picnic location.

Directions: From Austin take 290 W just past the 290/71 "Y" in Oak Hill. Turn right into the parking lot. There's a Jim's Restaurant there as well.

Notes: Lunch is provided by our gracious hosts as noted above.

Wx: High 92 F, Lo 66 F, Partly Cloudy.

Ride Captain: Steve von Roeder, svroeder@sbcglobal.net, 512-466-5769

[markwells]

There are five more photos posted. The photos were taken by the Ellison family. They asked Terry to ensure they were shared with the PGR family.

Thank you Ellison Family.

Thank you Terry & Frank.

[markwells]

Mark,I will be unable to attend the ABIA portion of the Mission for Sgt.Barnett due to VA Apts, however that said I will be posting a staging time and ride info for the 22 May portion of the mission so that we CENTEX PGR members can ride down and marry up with you guys for Sgt.Barnett's finial trip home.Please keep me posted and I will be watching this thread for furtner info and update our staging time accordingly.
Bill Presley(maddog)
CENTEX RC.

[markwells]

Lyn (hot wing) and I will be there to honor Sgt. Barnett.

[markwells]

Austin Staging for Sgt. Quinten Barnett, USA, airport recovery portion

Date: Tuesday, 19 May 2009, flight arrival time 1449 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 dead end.

Timeline:

1400-1415 hrs staging
1420 hrs safety briefing.
1449 hrs scheduled arrival.

PGR will accompany Sgt. Barnett and family to Cook Walden Funeral Home in Pflugerville. Anticipated departure time from ABIA 1515 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 as of 17 May: Sunny, high of 87. Dress accordingly. Sun screen highly recommended.

Notes: Come fed, fueled and hydrated. There will be no stops between ABIA and Pflugerville, approx. 25 mi. Bring water for you and one other. Planeside recovery is at this time undetermined. As always, Semper Gumby.

Ride Captain:
Andy "Andyman" Lough
ALough@Austin.rr.com
512-441-9297 (cell)

Please contact me with any questions/concerns.

Thank you for all that you do,

Andyman

[markwells]

Good Morning Mark! *S*

My name is 'Brian'…AKA=Snake…Centex P.G.R…I would be honored to stand for SGT Q.L. Barnett and be of assistance in any way on his final mission…walk home! Please be advised that I will be following this thread…and looking for word on this mission in my in-box here as well! Ride Safe Mark…will be seeing you soon Bro.!

Respectfully,
*~Brian~*
"Snake"

[markwells]

SGT Quentin L. Barnett was killed on active duty in a motorcycle accident at Lawton, OK this past Tuesday evening. His family has requested the Patriot Guard Riders participate in his return to Austin and funeral service and interment.

Tuesday, 19 May – Airport Recovery – Complete

Friday, 22 May – Funeral Service

Mission Details:

Location: One Way Baptist Church, 2107 Hairy Man Rd, Round Rock, Texas

Directions: From IH-35 take exit # 253, US Hwy 79/Sam Bass Rd. (The westbound direction is called Sam Bass Road.)
Go West approx 1.5 miles to a four way stop sign. Turn left onto Hairy Man Road (also called Brush Creek Road on Google maps). The church is immediately on your left. Proceed to far West end of the parking lot by the service pole.

Timeline: We will stand the flag line at two separate times. See Notes below for explanation.

1st flag line: Staging 0845 – 0910; Briefing at 0910; Flag line in place at 0915

2nd flag line: Briefing at 1015, flag line in place at 1020

Procession to CTSVC will depart approx. 1300 hrs for a scheduled 1500 hrs interment service. This is subject to change, Semper Gumby will apply.

Wx: Forecast is for partly cloudy skies, Lo of 67, High of 89

Notes: This Mission will require forming the flag line twice at the church. The first flag line will be in place for the arrival of the family and coach bearing Sgt Barnett at approx. 0930. Following that we will have a short down time and then reform the flag line 40 min prior to the start of the service at 1100 for the arrival of friends and relatives.

Please arrive fueled up and bring drinking water. We will not have any stops on our 42 mile accompaniment to CTVSC. Sun block will help.

Ride Captain: Juan (FILO) Gonzales cell # 512-466-8968
Assist RC/Flag truck: Mark Wells

[markwells]

Congratulations Terry & thank you for posting that note from the family. Although we don't do what we do for thank you's, it is wonderful to hear them and to know the positive impact we have on the departed and their family and friends.

You're very welcome Andyman. It's an honour to serve and to provide documentation (pictures) of everyone else's service and the grand comraderie to be found in it.

[markwells]

Good job, Terry. Glad you've got your red hat.

And thanks Marebear, your photos and album organization are awesome.

Andy

[markwells]

It was an honour to stand for Corporal Ellison and great to see everyone again. I've posted the pictures if you're interested.

[markwells]

I consider it a privilage to honor this veteran, Hope to see you all there

[markwells]

Lyn and I will be there to stand for this WWll veteran.

[markwells]

Final Itinerary

The family of Retired US Army Cpl Vernon Ellison has requested the Patriot Guard attend his interment service. Mr. Ellison served during WWII in the 1st Infantry Division, the "Big Red One", and we are honored to stand for him.

Date: Saturday, 9 May 2009

Staging Time: 0930-0950

Brief: 0950

Location: Cook Walden Memorial Hill Cemetery, 14501 N. I H 35 Pflugerville/Austin

Directions: From NB IH 35 take Howard Ln. Exit 246. Proceed through light. From SB IH 35 take Howard Ln. Exit 246 cross under IH 35.
First cemetery north of Howard Lane, enter 2nd of the two driveways at the cemetery entrance marker. Immediately turn left and stage well north of grave site

Wx: Predicted to be partly cloudy, upper 80's. 10% chance of rain.

Notes: This will be a graveside service only scheduled to begin at 1030 hrs. Flag line only, no procession. Flag line in place NLT 1000 hrs for arrival of the coach. Flag line will be relocated to the gravesite approx. 1020 hrs, with service expected to conclude approx. 1100 hrs.

Please arrive hydrated ready to stand for this WW II Veteran who stood for us. Recommend bringing 2 bottles of water.

Ride Captain: Terry Ayers, mototerry@texreb.com, cell: (512) 925-6101

Please make every effort to honor Cpl Ellison for his service during the world-wide fight to preserve freedom so many years ago.

[markwells]

I'll be honoured to stand for this Veteran.

[markwells]

The family of Mr. Ellison has requested the Patriot Guard attend his interment service, and we are honored to do so.

Date: Saturday, 09 May 2009

Location: Cook-Walden Memorial Park, Pflugerville, TX

Time: 10:30 am

This will be a flag line only at the graveside service. Please stay tuned for additional information and staging details, and plan to stand tall and silent for this defender of freedom.

[Author]

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