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Five regular and two new Patriots attended the flag line honoring LT. Bobby Lee Black. I want to thank those in attendance and welcome Calvin and Dave Williams, hope to see them at future missions. Spoke to one of the sons and daughter of LT. Black and they were very appreciative of our presence. Thanks to our Flag Rangler Don for placing flags at strategic locations.
Eight members of the Patriot Guard answered the invitation to honor CPL Messex. One of CPL Messex’s sons was kind enough to come over to the staging area and give us a short biography of his father. He gave the group all the information I was going to disseminate at the briefing, so the briefing was just flag protocol. Thanks to those that attended, I’m sure the family was appreciative and a special thanks to our dedicated flag wrangler.
23 caring people attended the final service for SSGT Leroy Cloud, who was interred today, 80 years after his death in WWII. We had 3 new riders join our group and also had several PGR Members from the Killeen Group. The weather was cool but very windy, the flag holders persevered without complaint. Thanks to all that showed up to honor SSGT Cloud, it was a great showing.
Four Patriot Guard members attended the QOV, first for a flag line at the entrance before the ceremony and then to present the colors at the start of the proceedings. The members of the society were thrilled that we were in attendance. This was a fun mission and I think we all enjoyed being there. Thanks to our Flag Wrangler Max, who seemed to know everyone attending the ceremony.
10 Loyal Patriot Guard members were present, despite the heat, to honor Col. Duck. Friends and family came to the staging area to thank us for being there. The flag line was a little long and two of our members had to leave the flag line because of the heat. One strange occurrence, their were three full bird Colonels and a LtCol, in full uniform in attendance and they did not render honors when taps was played. After the ceremony, I went to one of them and asked why not, the answer I got was they didn’t know they were supposed too. Ride Captain in training Patti is progressing well, asked some very good questions, will be a welcome addition.
Received a voice mail message from LtCol Theriot’s daughter, thanking the PGR’s attendance at her father’s funeral mass. She was apologetic that the family did not thank us personally while on the flag line.
Pretty good turnout for the mission to honor LtCol. Theriot; 9 total members manned the flag line in uncomfortable heat. Thanks to all that took the time for this mission.
Four Austin PGR Riders attended the Honor Flag Line for LCDR Roznowski despite the cold and misty morning. One intrepid soul, Patti, even rode her Can-Am. We were honored to be Joined by Jeff Wike, Brother in Law of the deceased and Deputy State Ride Captain, PGR, from Bedford, TX. The family was very appreciative of our presence.
Six Patriot Guard Riders attended the flag line for Airman Zander despite threatening weather. Because of the weather, all showed up in their four wheelers. The family was very appreciative that we attended. Special thanks to Holly and the guys from CenTex PGR, with their presence, we were able to put up a decent flag line.
11 Patriot Guard riders attended the honors for SGT Alston at the church in Buda, 2 cages, 9 bikes. 6 of the riders chose to join the procession to the Luling cemetery. The family was very appreciative that we attended and the funeral director suggested a slight change in the flag line-up that worked very well. Thanks to all who took precious time to attend and as always, a special thanks to our Flag Wranglers.
Eight Patriot Guard Riders manned the flag line for Captain Hartzell. Three riders braved the cold weather and rode their bikes. Captain Hartzell’s family all came out and shook everyone’s hand and expressed their appreciation for us being in attendance. Mrs. Hartzell told us that her husband rode motorcycles until he was 87; on a personal note, I don’t know many Navy or Marine pilots that don’t ride motorcycles. This was a very satisfying mission.
Seven Guard Members were present for the flag line in honor of Senior Airman Garey. Mr. Garey’s widow and Sister in Law came out of the reception and thanked us all for being there and they both shook our hands. Several others came out of the funeral home and thanked us also. A little warm but we all stayed hydrated.
10 Patriot Guard Riders attended the flag line at St. Helens Catholic Church in honor of Marine Gonzalo Garza. We were honored to be joined my A 32 year veteran Marine SgtMajor who was instrumental in the founding of the Patriot Guard and also happened to have Mr. Garza as a teacher when he was in grade school. Once the Mass started, we quietly departed. 5 members who stood the flag line reassembled at the Texas State Cemetery in Austin to render honors at the burial service. Thanks to all who attended this fairly long and very hot mission.
Nine Patriot Guard members were present to honor Major Nolan on a very hot day. Don had flags strategically placed in front of the funeral home. An interesting side note, a member of the Combat Veteran motorcycle group and his significant other attended the memorial service. When they rode up to us on their motorcycles I asked if they were joining us. They didn’t and they were there at the request of the Alabama State Ride Captain of the Combat Vet’s because he had served with Major Nolan; thought that was kind of cool. The family was very appreciative of us being there to honor their loved one and all came out and shook our hands.
Eight Patriot Guard members were available to stand the flag line on a windy, cloudy day. Once the service for SGT Howard commenced we broke down the flag line and waited by the grave site for the remainder of the mission. The service apparently lasted an hour and and fifteen minutes as the funeral precession did not arrive at the grave site until 1130 Hrs. Because of the time lapse we lost 3 members due to time constraints. Five of us manned the flags for the burial service and military honors and also maintained the flag line as the casket was moved from the memorial location to the actual burial site. The family wanted to observe the casket being lowered and we waited an extra ten minutes for a cemetery crew to show up to no avail. We then broke down the flag line a quietly departed.
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