[markwells]

Riders, last fall we participated in the ground breaking ceremony for this hero's new home. Now we celebrate with him and his family as they receive the keys.

At the invitation of Homes for our Troops, a charitable organization which provides custom-built, mortgage-free homes to America’s wounded military heroes, the Patriot Guard Riders will participate in a key presentation ceremony for a new home in Wimberley for US Army SGT David Guzman.

Read about SGT Guzman here: https://www.hfotusa.org/building-homes/veterans/guzman/

Date/Time: Saturday, 18 July 2020. Home presentation ceremony begins at 10:00 am.

Staging Location: Parking lot of Milagro's Hill Country Tex Mex, 9595 Ranch Rd 12, Wimberley, TX 78676.
map link: https://goo.gl/maps/nynquimwKoZANrZQ7

Timeline:
9:15 am – 9:40 am Staging
9:40 am briefing
9:50 am KSU for the 7 – 8 min law enforcement escorted ride to the home.

Wx: High 96 deg, mostly sunny

Notes: Bring water for yourself and a friend. Fly your big flags! Maintain social distancing protocols. Masks are required.

Ride Captain: Soup Campbell, robertsoupcampbell@yahoo.com, (512) 925-2104
Flag Wrangler: Nicki Campbell

Please join us in celebrating SGT Guzman's new home.

[markwells]

This mission was an accompaniment from Ramsey Funeral Home in Georgetown to CTSVC in Killeen. No LEO, so we had to limit the number of riders participating.

Veteran: Stephen Anthony LaBorde, 77, USAF veteran. Mr. LaBorde served in the US Air Force for 1 year and was discharged as an Airman First Class

More about his life can be read here: https://www.ramseyfuneral.com/obituary/stephen-laborde

Date/Time: Friday, 10 July 2020. See timeline below.

Staging Location: Ramsey Funeral Home, 5600 Williams Drive, Georgetown, TX 78633.
map link: https://goo.gl/maps/Q7knuupyUP72

Timeline:
11:30 am – noon – Staging
Noon – Safety Briefing
12:10 pm – KSU for ride to CTSVC

Wx:Hi 99 deg, mostly sunny.

Notes: It's that time of year..HOT. Bring water for yourself and for a friend. HYDRATE. Arrive at the staging fully fueled and fed. Maintain current social distancing protocols at the staging. This is an approximate 50 minute ride with no stops. No LEO escort. Centex PGR will have a flag line at CTSVC.

Ride Captain: Soup Campbell, robertsoupcampbell@yahoo.com, (512) 925-2104

[markwells]

Confirmed mission: The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to participate in the funeral service for Mr. Mark C. Stevenson. Mr. Stevenson served in the US Marine Corps 1975 – 1976. He was honorably discharged as a Private.

An obituary has not yet been posted.

Date/Time: Friday, 10 July 2020. Funeral mass begins at 11 am.

Location: St Margaret Mary Catholic Church. 1101 West New Hope Drive, Cedar Park, Texas 78613. We will stage at the church.
map link: https://goo.gl/maps/hSDxTuxR5tU6shgP8

Timeline:
9:45 – 10:20 am – Staging
10:20 am – Briefing
10:30 am – Flagline

Wx: Hot. High 100 deg, partly cloudy

Notes: Bring water for yourself and a friend. All riders must wear a face covering in compliance with local health directives. Maintain social distancing protocols. Following the start of the church service we will strike the flag line. A few big flag bikes will accompany the procession to the cemetery. We will not, however, have a flag line at the cemetery.

Ride Captain: Warren Longacre, longacre@austin.rr.com, (512) 755-4163
Flag Wrangler: Don Ferguson

Please attend to show honor and gratitude for this Marine's service to our nation.

[markwells]

From the family of Robert Roy Hamilton

“I wanted to say thank you from my whole family and me to the men and women who came and held flags at my dad’s funeral. I remember my sisters and me showing up saying “wow is that all for Dad??“ It was such an honor to him and for us to see, it made us tear up.
Thank you all so much for doing what you do.”

All the best,
Emma Hamilton

[markwells]

From the family of Robert Roy Hamilton

“I wanted to say thank you from my whole family and me to the men and women who came and held flags at my dad’s funeral. I remember my sisters and me showing up saying “wow is that all for Dad??“ It was such an honor to him and for us to see, it made us tear up.
Thank you all so much for doing what you do.

All the best,
Emma Hamilton
”

[markwells]

Confirmed Mission: Riders, we have a fun mission this coming weekend. The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to join in the birthday celebration for Chief Master Sergeant Robert Sanchez. CMSgt Sanchez turns 100 yrs old on Sunday.

He enlisted in the US Army Air Corps in 1941 when he was 21 yrs old and served for 30 years including deployments to Europe during WWII and later to the Korea and Vietnam wars. Among his many awards and commendations over his long career are:
• French Legion of Honor
• Vietnam Service Medal
• Croix De Guerre – French Military Decoration for Bravery
• Distinguished Flying Cross for Heroism while in Flight
• 4 Air Medals – Heroic or Meritorious Achievement while participating in Aerial Flight
• Congressional Gold Medal for Office of Strategic Services (OSS) for their Superior Service and Major Contributions during WWII

Date/Time: Sunday, 07 June 2020. See timeline below.

Staging location: QuikTrip, 3150 Ranch Rd 1431, Round Rock, TX 78681.
Map link: https://goo.gl/maps/ChTGGe3MqBMYMmrGA

Timeline:
10:15 – 10:45 am – Staging
10:45 am – Briefing
11:00 am – KSU to lead the procession past Mr. Sanchez’s house.

Wx: Hi 96 deg, mostly sunny

Notes: Bring a bottle of water for yourself and one for a friend. Mind social distancing protocols during the staging. This drive-by celebration is intended as a surprise for Mr. Sanchez. Other invitees include local police and fire departments, car clubs, etc. If you wish to meet Mr. Sanchez you must wear a mask to protect him, his wife and daughters..all elderly.

Ride Captain: Keith Longacre, keithlongacre@att.net, (512) 751-8955
Flag Wrangler: N/A

Please come out and enjoy helping CMSgt Sanchez celebrate his 100th birthday and thank him for his long, brave service to our nation.

[markwells]

Confirmed Mission: The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to participate in the memorial service for MSgt Edward Chapman. MSgt Chapman served in the US Air Force for 23 years and is a Vietnam Veteran.

More about his life can be read here: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/pflugerville-tx/edward-chapman-9126697

Date/Time: Thursday, 04 June 2020. Memorial service begins at 11 am

Location: Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North IH-35, Pflugerville, TX 78660. We will stage at the funeral home.
Map link: https://goo.gl/maps/8h7REFAmhJo

Timeline:
10:00 – 10:20 am – Staging
10:20 am – Briefing
10:30 am – Flagline

Wx: Hi 92 deg, mostly sunny

Notes: Bring a bottle of water for yourself and one for a friend. Mind social distancing protocols. This is a flag line only prior to the memorial service. Once the service begins we will strike the flag line and depart quietly.

Ride Captain: Russ Miller, navyvetad2@gmail.com, (512) 636-9692
Flag Wrangler: Don Ferguson

Please attend to honor this airman's long service to our nation.

[markwells]

This mission was an accompaniment from Beck Funeral Home in Pflugerville to CTSVC in Killeen. No LEO, so the mission email went only to those registered to the big flag bike roster.

Veteran: Alejandro (Alex) Sanchez Jr., 64, US Army and USANG veteran. Mr. Sanchez served 3 years with the US Army and 3 years in the National Guard. He left the service as a corporal.

https://www.beckchapels.com/obituary/alejandro-sanchez-jr

Date/Time: Monday, 01 June 2020. See timeline below.

Location: Beck Funeral Home, 4765 Priem Lane, Pflugerville, Texas 78660. We will stage at the funeral home. .
map link: https://goo.gl/maps/2PJgoG3qgYG2

Timeline:
12:50 – 1:20 pm – Staging
1:20 pm – Briefing
KSU for approx 1 hr ride to CTSVC, per funeral home.
3:00 pm – Gate time at CTSVC

Wx: High 81 deg, 50% chance scattered showers.

Notes: Bring a bottle of water for yourself and one for a friend. Arrive at the staging fully fueled and fed. Maintain current social distancing protocols at the staging. This is an approximate 1 hr ride with no stops. No LEO escort.. Likely toll roads. Centex PGR plans to have a flag line at the entrance to CTSVC.

Ride Captain: Warren Longacre, longacre@austin.rr.com, (512) 755-4163

[markwells]

This mission email went to our Big Flag Bike riders as this procession was without LEO escort. We therefore needed to limit the number of riders.

Confirmed mission: The family of MMCS Henry Hubbard, Sr has requested the participation of the Patriot Guard Riders in accompanying them from Bartlett to CTSVC. MMCS Hubbard served in the US Navy for 21 years. Among his decorations are the Vietnam Service Medal and Combat Action Ribbon. He left the service as a Machinist Mate Senior Chief Petty Officer.

An obituary has not yet been published.

Date/Time: Wednesday, 27 May 2020. See staging times below.

Staging Location: Holy Temple Church of God In Christ, 340-534 Dalton St, Bartlett, TX 76511. Next to the Dollar General.
Map link: https://goo.gl/maps/q2kD3EQ9RFVLDnuv7

Timeline:
9:00 – 9:30 am – Staging
9:30 am – Briefing
KSU for ride to CTSVC per funeral home.

Wx: Hi 89 deg, clear skies in the AM with chance of thunderstorms in the afternoon and evening.

Notes: Bring a bottle of water for yourself and one for a friend. Arrive at the staging fully fueled and fed. Maintain current social distancing protocols at the staging. This is an approximate 50 minute ride with no stops. No LEO escort.

Ride Captain: Soup Campbell, robertsoupcampbell@yahoo.com, (512) 925-2104
Flag Wrangler: N/A

[markwells]

Confirmed Mission: The Patriot Guard Riders have been invited to participate in the funeral service for Mr. Robert Roy Hamilton. Mr. Hamilton served in the US Army from 1973 to 1976, leaving the service as a Specialist E4.

More about his life can be read here: https://www.dignitymemorial.com/obituaries/pflugerville-tx/robert-hamilton-9179521

Date/Time: Wednesday, 20 May 2020. Funeral service scheduled for 11 am.

Location: Cook-Walden Capital Parks Funeral Home, 14501 North IH-35, Pflugerville, TX 78660. We will stage at the funeral home.
Map link: https://goo.gl/maps/8h7REFAmhJo

Timeline:
10:00 – 10:20 am – Staging
10:20 am – Briefing
10:30 am – Flagline

Wx: Hi 93 deg, sunny

Notes: Bring a bottle of water for yourself and one for a friend. Mind social distancing protocols. This is a flag line only for the funeral service. Once the service begins we will strike the flag line and depart quietly. Burial will be at 2 pm the same day at CTSVC in Killeen.

Ride Captain: Jim Callison, hotp2t@yahoo.com, (907) 321-3854
Flag Wrangler: Don Ferguson

Please attend to honor the service of this soldier to our nation.

[markwells]

Great turnout today to honor Corpsman Cook. We had 17 bikes in the procession from Austin to Smithville including four from the Combat Vets, one of whom bore Mr. Cook's remains. We formed an honor line in the parking lot as he was placed in the trike.

A big THANK YOU to Austin PD motors who did a wonderful job getting us safely out of town. After they dropped out the procession was separated a few times by traffic lights but not so bad that we weren't able to reconstitute ourselves and arrive safely at the family residence.

On the warm side with sunny skies and not a drop of rain in sight.

Thank you to Mr. Cook's daughter Shannon for inviting the PGR to participate. She said her dad was a Harley rider, and it was a perfect finale.

RIP James Franklin Cook.

[markwells]

Riders, this mission email originally went to the 17 riders who have signed up as Big Flag Bike riders. We now have LEO escort so we can open it up to all PGR riders who can make it.

This is an accompaniment with approx five family vehicles carrying the cremated remains of this veteran from Austin to the family home in Smithville. 

Confirmed mission: The family of Mr. James Franklin Cook, Jr has requested the participation of the Patriot Guard Riders in transporting him from Austin to Smithville.  Mr. Cook served in the US Navy for four years including 1967 – 68 in Vietnam. He was a Corpsman and was awarded two purple hearts.  

An obituary has not yet been published.

Date/Time: Friday, 15 May 2020. KSU from the location noted below is 12:30 pm.

Staging Location: Neptune Society Office, 911 W Anderson Ln #111, Austin, TX 78757.  This is SW corner of North Lamar and Hwy 183.
map link: https://goo.gl/maps/NT6pyvBvdG5RKD286

Timeline:
11:45 am – 12:15 pm – Staging
12:15 pm – Briefing
12:30 pm – KSU for the 45 – 60 minute ride to the family home at 250 Cottletown Rd, Smithville, TX 78957.

Wx: Hi 87 deg, 40% isolated storm chance.  Monitor your email Friday morning for a possible weather related cancellation. 

Notes: Bring a bottle of water for yourself and one for a friend. Arrive at the staging fully fueled and fed. Maintain current social distancing protocols. Wear a mask at the staging if you have one. Stay six feet apart. Upon arrival at the family home riders will render appropriate honors during the transfer of remains and depart.

Ride Captain: Mark Wells, atxpgr@gmail.com, 512-470-0380
Flag Wrangler: N/A

[markwells]

Confirmed mission: The family of Hunter Nathaniel Biehle has requested the participation of the Patriot Guard Riders in his return to Texas. Hunter served in the US Navy for a year and was assigned to the amphibious assault ship USS America in Japan. He was last stationed at Naval Base Coronado in California. He grew up in Lexington, TX, and was due to soon visit his family there.

https://www.phillipsandluckey.com/obituaries/Hunter-Biehle/#!/Obituary

This is an LEO escorted procession form the airport to Giddings, TX. The funeral portion is not yet scheduled.

Due to the current pandemic restrictions PGR attendance will be limited. An invitation to participate went to those riders who have registered as Big Flag Bikes.

Date/Time: Monday, 27 April 2020. Flight arrival at Austin Bergstrom Intl Airport (ABIA) was at 5:30 pm.

Staging Location: Airline Freight facility, 3400 Spirit of Texas Drive, ABIA

Directions: From TX 71, take the ABIA CARGO exit and turn south onto Spirit of Texas Dr. Stay on that road all the way to the end. The facility parking lot will be the last one on the right before the gate.
Map link: https://goo.gl/maps/8rGcUjUb5H32

Timeline:
3:30 – 4:30 pm Staging
4:30 pm Briefing
Recovery ceremony and procession per ABIA operations and APD.

Wx: Hi 84 deg, mostly sunny

Notes: Bring a bottle of water for yourself and one for a friend. Arrive at the staging fully fueled and fed. Maintain current social distancing protocols. Wear a mask at the staging if you have one. Stay six feet apart. The procession will proceed to the Phillips & Luckey Funeral Home in Giddings, approx. 54 mile ride.

Ride Captain: Keith Longacre, keithlongacre@att.net, (512) 751-8955
Flag Wrangler: N/A

[markwells]

Riders,

Like most other events in the state, funerals and related gatherings fall under the "rule of 10" maximum attendance allowance order issued by the governor. The funeral directors I've spoken with are not going to invite the PGR to the possible exclusion of friends and family.

Secondly, we don't want to send home each rider over the first ten who show up.

Thirdly, our individual health is better safeguarded if we aren't gathering at missions.

As a result, don't expect any new mission postings until after this executive order is lifted.

Thank you all who honor our veterans and support their families in their loss. I pray with you that we get this virus situation under control soon.

Stay well.

Mark Wells
Austin Region Deputy State Captain
Patriot Guard Riders of Texas

[markwells]

From the family of Walter A. Schupp.

““I would like to express our families great appreciation for your support.

The funeral for Walter Schupp will be remembered for years to come. Your unselfish tribute is quite honorable.

Thank you, William Schupp”
”

[Author]

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