Forum Replies Created
-
Posts
-
On a Blistering 96 degree day 7 Austin Patriot Guard riders set out to honor the life of Chief George (Mitch) Mitchell. The 17th of June would have been George’s 90th birthday but he unexpectedly passed on April 4th. Today is a celebration of his life. We had a short ride from the Manchaca Baptist Church to the VFW.
As we arrived we unfurled our flags and two members of the Austin retired chief’s society volunteered to join the flag line. We moved the flag line inside the hall due to the heat. At 2:00PM the San Antonio Air force color guard stood tall outside the building. One soldier entered carrying the casket flag and another followed walking through our flag line to the stage. With doors open they did a 21 gun salute followed by the playing of Taps. The two soldiers proceeded to unfold the flag and refold it to present to Mitch’s sister and two nieces. I have never seen a flag folding like this one, so professional so meticulous.
Following the folding of the flag and passing off to the Sister the two soldiers departed and we followed. That ended the military portion of the celebration. There were several guest speakers that told of Mitch’s military service as well as his dedication to family. He was a very generous man and donated a lot of money to help build homes for wounded veterans.
I thanked all the riders for attending and wished them a safe trip home in the heat. A thanks to Max as always taking care of the flags and making sure there is water for the riders. What a celebration with about 125 in attendance. There was live music and refreshments and plenty of dancing.
Rest in Peace Chief George Mitchell from a brother chief
You will be missed by all.Five Austin Patriot Guard Riders met at MasFajitas for dinner and socializing. Food was great. After eating everyone met at the American Legion for the Memorial.
Today’s mission was like no other we have ever done. On Saturday April 6th, 23 patriot Guard Riders stood a flag line for Staff Sergeant Cloud. District Ride Captain Mark Wells and I were approached by members of the family and asked if we knew of any organization that would set up a site to display the casket flag in honor of SSG Leroy Cloud’s memory. I Told Mark that I would contact the American Legion Post 39 in Taylor.
Coordinating with Commander Scott Dean has led us to today’s mission. Commander Dean opened their monthly meeting with the pledge of Alliance followed by a prayer from the chaplain.
Commander Dean called on Mark to make some comments. He opened with a little history of how the Patriot Guard came to exist. He then explained about how they could become members if they chose to do so.
Mark called on Ride Captain Gary Mayers. I recognized great niece Paula Cloud and she came forward to present the casket flag to Commander Dean. I presented a Picture of SSG Leroy Cloud to be displayed with the flag. Paula started to read SSG Cloud’s Obituary and I read the second part. I then thanked Commander Dean and the American Legion for providing a place to display this memorial in honor of a great hero SSG Leroy Cloud. We know now that SSG Cloud is home where he belongs and that his family finally after 80 years has closure.
What a Great Day and what an honor it was to take part in this mission.
R.I.P. Leroy C. CloudToday March 9th 2024 was a trying time for everyone. 20 Austin Patriot Guard riders set out with 25 mile an hour winds and 45 degrees to Taylor to honor Cadet Burton. There were 16 riders on motorcycle of which 9 were first time riders. We came to pay respect to 21 year old Cadet 2nd class Tristen R. Burton. He was attending the US Air Force Academy in Colorado. On 29 February 2024 Cadet Burton’s life was cut short in a motorcycle accident.
I think every Cadet from the academy was there to honor Cadet Burton. The Parking lot was full and the Funeral Home was standing room only. 20 Riders stood for an hour in honor of Cadet Burton. The flag line retreated once the service started.
When the service was over, 16 riders joined the procession to the Taylor Cemetery where we stood a second flag line. The internment was with full military honors: a 21 gun salute, playing of taps, and the folding of the US flag to be presented to the parents. At the end of the service we retreated where I thanked everyone for attending and to have a safe trip home.
I met with the parents of Tristen, Jeffery and Marjorie and told them that we were sorry for their loss. The father responded with many thanks to all the riders that attended in honor of their son. He said his son would have loved what we do.
Cadet 2nd Class Tristen Burton
Rest in Peace
A cloudy but warm and windy day brought 6 Patriot Guard Riders to Rockne, Tx to honor the passing of Kevin O’Dwyer. Kevin was only 63, what a young age to be taken from this earth. Kevin graduated from the United States Military Academy at West point in 1982 and served in the U.S. Army “the 3rd Armored Cavalry Brave Rifles. We formed a flag line in front of the Sacred Heart Catholic Church at 10:00 AM. Kevin’s wife , Robbin and several family members and friends walked the flag line thanking us for being their to pay honor to there loved one. We broke the flag line at 10:30 and returned to the staging to await the loading of the casket into the hearse. We formed a line at the hearse to pay respect to Kevin and his family. We took up flags and walked to the back of the cemetery and formed a flag line for the graveside service. At the end of the service we returned to the staging area. A big thanks to the riders who came out to honor this soldier and have a safe ride home.
R.I.P. Captain Kevin O’Dwyer.
What a beautiful day to have a parade. The Patriot Guard riders were invited to a ground breaking ceremony for USMC Cpl Sebastian Gallegos (Ret) who was wounded by an IED in Afghanistan in 2010. Three riders showed up, two on cycles and one caged. The parade consisted of two motorcycles in the lead followed by two Golf carts. The first card was for Matt Burtch GM for Cabela’s and Charlie Coleman Division President for Lennar Austin. The second cart was for Cpl Sebastian Gallegos (Ret), his son Xolo, and MG Tony Cucolo, USA (RET). Rounding the corner to the home site was a lineup of people on both sides of the road waving flags and clapping to show support to Cpl Gallegos. We dismounted and joined the ceremony. One thing that was so special about this event is that there were 2 service men with one prosthetic leg, 1 serviceman with double leg prosthetics, and Cpl Gallegos with one arm prosthetic. If you ever go to Calela’s and you see an employee that is wearing a green vest please let them know that you are proud of them serving our country as the are all wounded warriors. Four of them were present today. After all the guest speakers were done it was time for the ground breaking. The MC called all that were present on stage, the Four wounded warriors, and the Patriot Guard riders to take part in the ground breaking. We each had a shovel to dig and spread the dirt. This was an honor to be their in support of Cpl Gallegos.
To Cpl Gallegos, here is to a new future for you and your family.
God Bless
The Patriot Guard was invited to participate in a procession and interment for Horace B Hamilton, Jr. The procession was cancelled due to rain. However, six PGR attended the graveside service.It was a cloudy, windy day with light rain, and the procession was delayed due to an accident on southbound I35. Patty led the procession into the cemetery on her Can-Am Spyder as requested by the family. The VFW provided military honors with Taps and a rifle salute. Several family members thanked us for our service.Rest in peace Horace.Saturday 28 October 2023. Eight members of the Austin Patriot Guard gathered at the St. Stephen Episcopal Church in Wimberly to honor Joel Richard Lander.
He was 99 years old and served from Jan 1943 to Jan 1946. It was a cloudy and very humid morning but cool. Max set up flags and provided water for the riders. Several family members thanked us for honoring Joel. One lady wanted to take pictures for her son who is serving in the military and could not make the service.To Joel Richard Lander. Thank you for your service to our Country
May you Rest in peaceToday the Patriot Guard was invited to pay honors to Specialist 4th Class Jeffery Lynn Hamilton.
We had 8 riders in all on a very hot day that stood a flag line at the Mc Curdy Funeral Home.
We had a nice breeze that helped along with early cloud cover. We had 2 riders from San Antonio a husband and wife team.
Family members made us feel welcome and thanked us for being a part of this celebration of life.
We had a hot ride on a 14 mile trip to the Bateman Cemetery. We formed a second flag line for a very nice interment with full Military Honors.
Following the interment we gathered back at the staging area. I thanked all riders for taking time out of there day to Honor Mr. Hamilton.
Made sure they all had enough water for there trip home and told them to have a safe trip home.
Thanks to Maxx for Setting up the flags and providing water for all the riders.RIP Jeffery Hamilton
Recent Comments