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Today’s Mission marks a time dating back to the 25th of February 1944. 2LT Bill Jo May was shot down in a B-17 in Germany. Today his family was able to lay him to rest with his parents in a small cemetery in Martindale after 82 years.
The Patriot Guard was invited to ride in a procession from the Thomason Funeral Home in San Marcos that was about 8 miles. Seven riders showed up this morning with smiles on their faces and ready to ride in this memorious occasion. We did out brief at 9:15. We then moved to the hearse and saluted as they loaded Mr. May.
At 9:35 we departed the Funeral home for an 18 minute ride. Once we arrived at the cemetery we dismounted and then had about a 45 minute wait till the internment would start. At 10:45 we formed the flag line and waited for the pallbearers to bring up the casket. The Army color guard was there as pallbearers, folding of the casket flag, and rendering a 21 gun salute. Taps was played by a trumpet player and it was a real trumpet playing not a recording.
The service was provided by a family member that talked about his young life in the military.
2LT May was also a motorcycle rider, wonder what he was riding back in 1940. The Family came and thanked us for providing the escort and standing the flag line.
What is interesting about this mission is that the family members except one never knew or grew up with 2LT May they just knew of him. This was a celebration for the whole family.I thanked the riders for taking the time out of their day to partake in this celebration of life.
Most of the riders were from San Marcos, and New Braunfels area.2LT Bill Jo May rest in peace
Today’s Mission was challenging and rewarding. Seven riders showed up to the Sunfield Sunbright Activity Center in Buda this morning. This mission was a happy moment as we were leading a short procession 1.6 miles escorting SGT Luis Valadez and his family to their new home. The home was provided through Military Warriors Support Foundation and sponsored by Bank of America. I went to the house early to stake 4 flags. On the way there two intersections were blocked off for construction but were able to find a clear way to the house.
At 11:00 we departed the Community Center and proceeded at 15 miles per hour to the home. SGT Valadez and his family following in their car. Upon our arrival at the house about 30 people were there to welcome the family. The crowd said they could hear us coming up the road and as we approached the home we were all honking our horns and everyone was cheering. We dismounted and went to stand by the posted flags. There was a short presentation and then the family was presented the keys to their new home.
Everyone was invited in to see the new home. I asked the family outside for some pictures that we could post on our Facebook page. I thanked all the riders for attending and also welcomed a new rider that came from San Antonio and a new rider from Driftwood.
Thanks to my wife Stephanie for stepping up as the flag wrangler for this mission.
Enjoy your new home SGT Valadez and Family
It was a cool cloudy day for a mission. The patriot Guard was invited to participate in the procession and internment service for Retired MSgt Kerman D. Hammond Sr. Many of the Family came to thank us for being there. The Family made a generous donation to the Austin Patriot Guard in the amount of $350.00.
Four Patriot Guard riders and Five American Legion riders made it to ride in the procession.
Mike Jackson did his first mission as a new ride Captain in training. He did a great job.The procession went smooth and upon our arrival at the Fort Sam National Cemetery we married up with the San Antonio Patriot Guard and went to where they were having the committal service. There were 16 total to stand the flag line. What a way to honor this Soldier that served his country without waiver.
After the service we retired the colors and departed.Thanks to all the riders and the San Antonio Chapter for their Leadership on this mission.
RIP Kerman
On a beautiful and very windy Sunday afternoon 7 patriot Guard Riders made it to the Providence Funeral Home in Taylor. We were requested by the family of Mr. Benny MaCuk Jr to stand a flag line prior to the service.
Several family members and friends thanked us for our service. The parking lot was full and people were standing in the front entrance of the funeral home.
Once the service started we retreated and put up the flags.
I thanked those that took time out of there day to come honor Mr. MaCuk and wished them a safe trip home.
RIP: Benny
On a cold 45 degree day with 35 mile an hour winds two PGR members made it to the Thomason Funeral home in Lockhart to Honor Henry Edward Branch. SP5 Branch served our Great Nation for two years with a tour to Vietnam.
U.S. Army soldiers folded the flag, played Taps, and presented the flag to Henry’s son. Many family members thanked us for standing the flag line.
Once the service started we retreated and put up the flags. I presented our card and an honor coin to Quentin, son of Henry.
Thank you Henry for your service
RIP Henry Branch
It was a great day with nice weather for a ride to the Cook Walden Capital Parks Cemetery to honor CSM Melvin Dixon, Sr. The family made an unusual request that we don’t do very often. Upon arrival of the hearse, lead rider Keith Longacre and five motorcycles escorted the hearse to the gravesite. After dismounting everyone fell in on posted flags to form a flag line.
Full military honors were presented by U.S. Army soldiers. At the end of the service they lowered the casket. Many family members walked our flag line thanking us for what we do. Family and friends dropped roses on top of the casket and then departed.
We retreated and put up flags. I thanked the riders and wished them all a safe trip home.RIP: Melvin Dixon, Sr.
(Seven riders present.)
Today 7 Patriot Guard Riders met at the Mission Funeral Home in South Austin to Honor the passing of Marine PFC Domitilo Ponce. Many family members and friends came to us thanking us of our service. For a Military veteran to lose his life at such a young age is very sad.
I thanked the riders for taking the time out of their day to honor Ponce and wished them a safe trip home.
It is up to us to make sure that no soldier is ever forgotten.
RIP: Domitilo Ponce
This morning 14 Austin Patriot Guard Riders showed up at the Ramsey Funeral Home in Georgetown to Honor Edward E, Johnson.
It was a beautiful morning and what even made the day better was having Russ Miller as a part of our flag line. He said he was doing ok and taking it a day at a time.
Family and friends came to tell us thanks for being there and several took pictures.
After the start of the service we retired the colors and I thanked everyone for being there to honor Edward for his 29 years serving our country.
Big thanks to Nicki and Soup for taking care of the flags and providing water for all the riders.
To close Warren blessed us with a prayer and asked that each one of us have a safe trip home.RIP: Col Edward E. Johnson
Today was a cool breezy day for a ride to the Marrs-Jones funeral home in Smithville. The Patriot Guard was invited to honor SGT Henry Hofferek and seven riders rose to the occasion. We formed a flag line at 10:30 and had many come take pictures of us. Once the service started we broke the line and retreated.
We waited until the service was over and stood off the back side of the hearse and saluted as the Pallbearers load the casket. We then mounted up to take a short ride to the Oak Hill Cemetery where we stood a second flag line.There were full military honors put on by the Bastrop County Honor Guard. When the graveside service ended we retreated and put up the flags. I thanked all the riders for taking the time out of their day and told them to have a safe trip home.
The son thanked us for being there to honor his father.
Thanks to Max for setting up the flags and providing us with water.
To Henry Hofferek, RIP
What a beautiful Saturday morning at the Restoration Ranch. Mike Jackson and I set up the awning with flags and banners representing the Austin Patriot Guard. The event started at 11:00am with the playing of our National Anthem while 3 horse riders presented the US flag, State flag and the Restoration Ranch flag.
We had a good crowd of people and handed out over 100 Patriot Guard pamphlets. We may be gaining a new member as well. Many of the veterans that showed up thanked us for our service. We had some that even shared some stories of experiences they had with the Patriot Guard in supporting their loved ones. They were all very positive and grateful that we supported them.
There were many venders and good food throughout the day. They had door prizes at the end of the day.
We started taking everything down at 3:50pm and packed up to depart.Thanks to Mike Jackson for all his help.
Thanks to Restoration Ranch for inviting us to this event.
On this beautiful morning 6 patriot Guard Riders showed up to honor MSG Roger Wayne Sassman.
This was a very small ceremony with family members only. A few words were said about Roger and many pictures were taken. This is the first mission that I have been to where they put the ashes into a small vault to go into a small burial plot. Members of the family went up to shovel dirt into the hole to cover the vault.
Rogers’s daughter Stephanie visited each Patriot guard rider to thank them for being there to honor her dad.
We pulled the flags and quietly departed. I thanked all the riders for making this mission and to have a safe trip home.
Honor to a 37 year veteran. Roger is laid to rest beside his Mother and Father. Thank you for your service and may you rest in peace.
The Patriot Guard was invited to participate in the funeral and interment services for Marine Corp Corporal Jose Pena Cervantes. It was a warm but wet day. We had 4 Patriot Guard riders at the Sta. Julia Catholic Church to stand with honors for Mr. Cervantes. After the Service started we broke up the line and retired the colors.
The procession would follow the service. One motorcycle made it into the procession. It rained most of the 13 miles so got a little wet. Once at the cemetery 3 of us formed another flag line. We had a light rain and a long wait as the bugler was late due to the Cemetery listing the interment for 1:30 and we were there before 1:00.
The service included playing of Taps and folding of the flag to be presented to the widow. Many family members and friends thanked us for our service.Thanks to Calvin and Keith for setting up the flags at the church and cemetery.
Thank you Jose for your service to our country.
Today 10 Patriot Guard riders met at the Elgin Funeral Home to stand and pay respect for MSG Mickey Wayne Summers. Mickey served in the Army for 27 years. We formed the flag line prior to the service and Mickey’s daughter walked the line thanking everyone for their service. Once the service started we retired the colors and stood by for the procession to the Oak Hill Cemetery for the interment.
Three riders joined the procession to McDade. Five riders formed a second flag line standing as the pallbearers carried the casket to the grave site. A Navy chaplain held the service followed by a 21 gun volley, folding of the flag, and playing of taps. Several family members thanked us for being there along with the funeral director.
After the interment we struck the flag line. I thanked all the riders for being there.
Thanks to Max for taking care of the flags and providing water to the riders.MSG Mickey Summers RIP
On a cold and windy day two Austin Patriot Guards joined the five Central Texas Patriot Guard at the CTSVC in Killeen. We were there to honor Captain Dial, longtime friend of Soup and Nicki Campbell.
Central Texas ride captain Ingrid “LilDragon” Ruble briefed us on this mission. We set up 50 flags on both sides of the drive. That was very impressive. A friend shared life experiences they had with Dick and Cindy. Soup Led all in a prayer and thanked everyone including the Patriot Guard for being there to show our support for Cindy, family members and friends.
RIP Captain Dial
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