markwells

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  • in reply to: Gordon "Shiftless" Grunke #1830
    markwells
    Keymaster

    I can't tell you all how touched I was for the turn out and effort put forth today on behalf of Gordon. He would have been so proud to know you all cared so much.

    Thank you all for being there.

    Sincerely
    Harry Morton

    in reply to: Gordon "Shiftless" Grunke #1829
    markwells
    Keymaster

    Ditto Mark, It was a Great tribute to a Great Man…
    Thanks to all

    in reply to: Gordon "Shiftless" Grunke #1828
    markwells
    Keymaster

    Many thanks to everyone who supported this mission….well done. The Centex honors team did an outstanding job, and the four-plane flyover was an unexpected but wonderful tribute.

    Gordon's family commented that he would be upset not to be standing with us today. Alas, the time came for Gordon to stand down and allow us the honor of standing for him.

    in reply to: Gordon "Shiftless" Grunke #1825
    markwells
    Keymaster

    Due to some complications with chemotharapy I will not be able to attend this mission

    Please stand tall for me to honor this great American Patriot. I will be there in spirit and prayers. Ride safe…

    thanks

    in reply to: Gordon "Shiftless" Grunke #1824
    markwells
    Keymaster

    Thanks Guys for your Help

    in reply to: Gordon "Shiftless" Grunke #1821
    markwells
    Keymaster

    Posted on 04/27/2009 17:04

    Mission Update:

    Some minor details still being finalized. Mission posting anticipated Tuesday April 28 (probably late afternoon) so you can make plans to attend.

    I can tell you at this point this will be a flag line at the church followed by approximately a 37 mile escort to CTSVC for interment.

    The church service is tentatively scheduled for 11:00 with CTSVC scheduled for 13:00 on Friday May 1.
    Continue to monitor this thread and the final itinerary will be posted as soon as possible.

    Harry Morton

    ——————————————————————————–
    Deputy State Captain
    Centex

    in reply to: Gordon "Shiftless" Grunke #1820
    markwells
    Keymaster

    I will volunteer for the flag truck and do what needs to be done with some direction I am not stable enough to ride yet so count my truck and me in…..

    My thoughts and prayers go out to the Grunke family and I know he is watching us to see if we honor him as he has honored others…

    in reply to: Gordon "Shiftless" Grunke #1816
    markwells
    Keymaster

    Gordon "Shiftless" Grunke, one of our PGR brothers from the Centex area, passed away this morning around 5am.
    Centex has asked that we assist them with the services by handling some of the duties as they will be performing honors for Gordon, as we all mourn the loss of a brother and friend.
    As soon as we receive info regarding dates, times from them, it will be updated here.
    We will need riders for flag lines, and a flag truck driver if someone can volunteer.
    Let's all plan to have a good showing to honor Gordon and his family.
    A short statement from Kaz regarding this man is below.

    Gordon Grunke has been a member and staunch supporter of the PGR since before I began 2 years ago. Gordon has been an inspiration for a tremendous amount of people through his life. He is my hero.

    Gordon has asked for the PGR to Stand for Him.

    “Mission information and Final Itinerary:
    Gordon D. Grunke, U.S. Navy Veteran. ”The Patriot Guard Riders of Central Texas, (Centex) will be gathering in remembrance and to honor one of their own.

    Gordon D. Grunke, U.S. Navy Veteran and Patriot Guard Rider passed away on April 26, 2009 after losing his long battle with cancer.

    At the request of Gordon himself, the Patriot Guard Riders will not only attend the services of this United States Navy Veteran but will provide military honors at his interment.

    Staging: Staging will be held in the parking lot of the McDonald’s restaurant in Belton, Texas located on I-35 at the 6th Street exit.
    Date: Friday May 1, 2009
    Time: 09:30 to 10:00
    Briefing: 10:00 to 10:10
    KSU: 10:10
    Memorial Service: 11:00 AM First United Methodist Church Belton, Texas
    Interment: 13:00 Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery Killeen, Texas.

    Upon departing the staging location we will ride as a group to the First United Methodist Church, located at 205 E 3rd Ave Belton, TX 76513. Upon arrival we will immediately form a flag line in preparation for the services which are scheduled to begin at 11:00.

    Again, at Gordon’s request, as many riders as possible are requested to join the family inside the church, with flags, to be a part of his service. The church has opened their balcony to the Patriot Guard Riders for this purpose.

    Immediately following the memorial service there will be an escort with LEO accompaniment to the Central Texas State Veterans Cemetery (CTSVC) Hwy 195 Killeen, Texas for a scheduled arrival of 13:00. This is approximately a 35 mile escort.

    Upon arrival CTSVC, we will post a flag line by the columbarium where military honors will be provided by the Centex Firing Team and Taps will be presented.

    Due to the close personal relationship shared by Gordon and many of the Ride Captains and members of Centex, and the participation of those members in the Honors Detail, I have asked Deputy State Captain of Austin Robert Stancil, and Regional Ride Captain of Austin, Sam Warren, to lead this mission to honor our dear friend. They have graciously accepted this request.

    I ask we all join together at this difficult time to honor a great patriot. He deserves more than our humble presence may ever offer but when given his choice, the Patriot Guard Riders are the people Gordon requested.

    Ride Captains for this mission:

    Robert Stancil
    Deputy State Captain Austin

    Sam Warren
    Regional Ride Captain Austin

    Mark Wells
    Senior Ride Captain of Operations Austin

    Assistant Ride Captain:
    Bill Presley Centex

    Honors Team:
    Harry Morton, Deputy State Captain Centex
    Wayne Ward, Regional Ride Captain Centex
    Darryl Kaczmarczyk, Centex Ride Captain
    Steve Cole, Centex Patriot Guard
    Larry Green, Centex Patriot Guard
    Mary Gregory, Centex Ride Captain
    Keith Longacre, Austin Ride Captain

    Austin PGR Announcement

    “AUSTIN STAGING FOR: Gordon D. Grunke, U.S. Navy Veteran, ”
    Patriot Guard Rider

    Date: Friday, May 1, 2009

    Time: 0830 to 0850

    Briefing: 0850

    KSU: 0900

    Location: Central Texas Harley Davidson, 2801 N. IH 35 Round Rock, Tx
    Exit 254.

    Directions: From N/B IH35, Take FM 3406 exit 254. Proceed through the next light approx 1/4 mile to Central Texas Harley Davidson.
    S/B IH35, take FM 3406 exit 254. Cross over on FM 3406 to the N/B service road.

    Wx: Predicted low of 70 deg and Hi of 87 deg, 20% chance of showers/t-storms

    Notes: The ride to the Belton staging location is 40 miles. No stops enroute to Belton, so arrive fed, fueled, and hydrated. Recommend 2 bottles of water

    Ride Captain: Terry Ayers, mototerry@texreb.com,
    cell: (512) 925-6101 hm: (512) 252-5366
    Asst. Ride Captain: Juan Gonzales, jcgonz13@yahoo.com

    markwells
    Keymaster

    It is always a special treat when our bothers from Austin come to show their support for us! I know the family was very pleased with the honour and respect you showed for their loved one.

    Thank You!

    markwells
    Keymaster

    One slight change to our staging in Killeen.

    We'll now be on the Southeast corner of Hwy 195 and Elms Rd. Same place we've met dozens of times before. Just across the street from Mickey's.

    markwells
    Keymaster

    SHORT NOTICE – Austin Staging for 1SG (RET) William D. White, US Army
    This is a Centex Mission with service in Killeen and interment in Central Texas Veterans State Cemetery on April 9th, 2009.
    If you can ride to Killeen to honor this man for serving our country, please join us at the location/time listed below.

    DATE: April 9th, 2009
    TIME: 9:45am – 10:10am
    LOCATION: McDonalds on the N/E corner of IH35 and FM3406/Old Settlers Rd in Round Rock, rear parking lot.
    BRIEFING: 10:10am
    KSU: 10:15am
    WX: Latest forecast is for temps in the mid 70's, with a 30% chance of rain. Dress accordingly.
    NOTES: We will ride non-stop to Killeen at 195 and Elms Rd, for an 11:15am briefing. Service is at 12:30pm and interment at 2pm, according to Centex website. Check that site for any updates/changes.
    Bring 2 bottles of water, be fed and fueled by 10:10am

    RIDE CAPTAIN: Sam Warren samhwk@gmail.com Cell 217-4191
    ASST. RIDE CAPTAIN: TBD

    Remember that our mission is to honor this soldier and pay our respects to his family.

    in reply to: American Widow Project #1758
    markwells
    Keymaster

    Here's another ABC link with a little better video quality.

    abcnews.go.com/Video/playerIndex?id=7173853

    in reply to: American Widow Project #1756
    markwells
    Keymaster
    in reply to: American Widow Project #1755
    markwells
    Keymaster

    Anyone have a link to the ABC coverage last night? The storm coverage went well past 1800 hrs and missed the national news, if it even came on…

    in reply to: American Widow Project #1752
    markwells
    Keymaster

    Email today from Taryn Davis of the AWP. Posting here to sort of close out this mission thread.

    “Hi Mark!

    I'm sorry for such short notice but we just found out that they are airing the piece tomorrow, March 25th 5:30 pm ABC World News with Charles Gibson! I got a call and it featured you and all of the other wonderful members of the PGR escorting us! I hope you can see it and thank you for everything!
    With love,
    Taryn Davis
    Founder/President
    The American Widow Project
    A 501(c) 3 Non Profit Organization
    http://www.americanwidowproject.org
    Proud Military Widow of Cpl. Michael Davis

    "Freedom is what you do with what's been done to you." – Jean Paul Satre”

Viewing 15 posts - 2,356 through 2,370 (of 2,394 total)