I crawled out of my trailer at 4:30 this morning to a dark 55 degree morning.  I have spent six weeks in Arcata with the hippies and it was time for some reality and so I started out on a 300 mile drive to show respect for this young Marine who gave all in Afghanistan.  About five hours later after a brief stop for fuel and breakfast a group of about 15 bikers pulls onto the freeway.  I pulled up beside one and we exchanged waves - it was some Patriot Guard Riders.  I fell in behind and followed them to Sacramento Airport.  We staged at a gas station and found that the plane was an hour late so we milled around in the 99 degree temps drank water and Gatorade and waited.  I talked to one of the Hiway Patrol Officers and was told that the "Official" part of the procession included only six of our bikes and they would try to "make up some time" on the trip to Little Lake.   The rest  would have to obey all traffic laws and signs as they would not be blocking intersections for us.  There were 68 bikes and 2 cages as we moved to the Executive Terminal for the arrival of the charter jet.  The plane arrived and LCpl Wilson was met by the Marine Honor Guard and got underway for Lower Lake about 100 miles away.  The Hiway Patrol did block the intersections for us and later was joined by other police.  Along the way there were more groups of bikes at the side of the road holding flags as we passed they would then join in.  We had to pass through a construction zone that had only one line of traffic open.  As we went by all of the construction workers took off their hard hats and held them over their hearts.  We did "make up some time"!  We stopped outside of Lower Lake so that we could put up the "big flags" on the bikes  now about 100 bikes and then started into town.  It was now 107 degrees!  On the edge of town was an electric sign blinking "Caution Special Event".  It seemed like the whole town was out with flags and cameras.  At one point we passed under two ladder trucks - ladders up and holding a flag.  The street here was lined with police and firemen saluting.  We wound through town and on to the Chapel.  At the Chapel we got out our flags as the Marines carried LCpl Wilson into the Chapel.  I left Lower Lake as I still had a four hour drive to get back to Arcata.  The drive through the big trees and the lowering temperatures gave me plenty of time to reflect on what in means to belong to the Patriot Guard.

Ivan Wilson

William Evans - US Army    James Paul - USMC    Donald Pauley - USAF    Ronald Edwards - USMC

The Los Angeles County Coroner brought these four Veterans to Riverside for their final rest today.

Evens Paul Pauley Edwards

William retired from the Army and was a Korea and Viet Nam veteran. He was presented the Purple Heart.

William Sesson

Four (4) Veterans with no Family will be brought by the Los Angeles County Coroner to the Riverside National Cemetery for burial.
 
The Veterans are:  Patrick O'DRISCOLL age 54 U.S. Navy 3/28.1979 to 3/19/1983 and 01/1987 to 01/1989,  Curtis OWEN age 78 U.S. Army 02/1951 to 02/1953,  William KITTEN age 86 U.S. Army 09/1942 to 04/1946,  Gerald BUSER age 77 U.S. Army 01/26/1955 ti 01/24/1958
 
The PGR will be these Veterans Family and will hold a service with full Military Honors at Riverside National Cemetery (RNC) 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518-2740

11 Jun 08

 

Reginald served in WW II as a co-pilot on a B17. He flew 11 missions before he was shot down. On his eleventh mission when he realized that the plane was going down, he went to go get the rest of his men. The pilot and the navigator grabbed him and said it was too late they are gone. He would not listen. He told them he would not leave the plane without them. He ended up in a fight with the pilot and the navigator, which ended with them throwing him out of the plane.

When he landed the German’s captured him and he was a prisoner of war for 18 months.

Here is an excerpt of the request:

"The one thing my grandfather asked for before he died was to make sure he got his 7-gun salute and Taps played. I was devastated when we arrived at Riverside National and was informed that they would not be able to perform the service because they had no one to do it."

The PGR with the Army Honor Guard will rectify this travesty and render 1st Lt Aragona his deserved Military Honors.

We did including a flyover by a P-51!

Regonold Aragona

Mr. Trimble died May 28, near Gardez, Afghanistan, of wounds suffered when his vehicle encountered an improvised explosive device. He was assigned to the 1st Squadron, 61st Cavalry Regiment, 4th Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault), Fort Campbell, Ky.

Trimble

This morning the Patriot Guard Riders were joined by motorcycle friends of Mr. Armeta for the procession from La Sierra Seventh Day Adventist Church in Riverside to Riverside National Cemetery.  At RNC the Marine Honor Guard did the 21 gun salute - played Taps - and did the Flag Presentation.

Jose Louis Armeta

Paul Lunsford  U S Army  1959-1963, Ivon Hill  U S Army  1940-1945, John Martin U S Navy  1957-1958, James Cobb  U S Army  1955-1956

This morning 30 bikes and 5 cages from The Patriot Guard Riders staged at Riverside National Cemetery to honor these four Hero's.  Today we were their brothers and sisters - We have walked in each others footsteps.

Lunsford Hill Martin Cobb

Although every PGR mission is special this one was particularly special as Merrill was a personal friend of my father.  Now they both rest at Riverside National Cemetery.  Mr. Peterson was on Wake Island in December 1941 and was injured when Japan attacked the island.  He was then taken prisoner and spent almost 4 years as a POW.  This morning the PGR assembled outside his daughter's home in Aliso Viejo to escort Merrill and his wife to Riverside National Cemetery.  Their daughter Patti went above and beyond and provided coffee and muffins as we waited for the Limo to arrive.   We even talked her friend Donna into going on a short ride with Doyle on his bike.  The procession to RNC went well even though we had to re-form after the "Toll Booths".  As we arrived at RNC another PGR member joined in.  After a brief wait at the staging area we moved to the site for the ceremony and formed a flag line.  The US Navy was present along with an ROTC group.  The twenty-one-gun salute Taps and the flag presentation were impressive as always.  At the end of the ceremony I had the honor of presenting Patti with some dog tags and the shells from the gun salute.  Patti and her friends were very gracious to all of us as hugs and good wishes were exchanged.

Robert Merrill Perterson

Today the Patriot Guard Riders joined with groups from all around Southern California for the City of Riverside Salute to Veterans Parade.  We arrived at the pre-stage location about 6:30 am - grabbed a fast food breakfast and a cup of coffee while putting flags and signs on the vehicles.  We went together to the Riverside City College at 7:30 where we lined up with the rest of the parade entries.  By 8:00 we were ready to go but the parade didn't start until 10:00!  This gave plenty of time to look at all the entries and meet some really neat people.  I got to talk to two ladies that were WASP's (Women's Air Force Support Pilots) in WWII.  These women picked up bombers and other plane's at the factories and flew them to the combat zones which freed up combat pilots.  There were tanks - submarines - jeeps - trucks and even Stater Brothers Market got into the act.

Riverside Salute to Vets

I took a quick trip to Orange to check out the Code Pink anti-war demonstrators.  I found a few friends there!  As I walked to the "circle" I overheard one lady telling a young man in his 20's "Don't confront these people - Don't talk to them!"  There were at least 4 times as many bikers with flags than there were pinkers.  I almost called animal protection when I saw the dog with the pink scarf!  That must be animal abuse.  One biker arrived with the Marine Corp Hymn playing loudly from his bike.  As I walked around taking pictures there was an older Asian lady sitting on a bench across the street with her dog.  She made a point of saying that she had waved at us as she went by.  It seemed that there were 2 - 3 times as many cars honking and waving at those holding flags than were honking at the pinkers.

Code Pink in Orange

A Patriot Guard Rider contingent assembled at Riverside National Cemetery this morning.  We were there for the ceremony for two veterans who died without families.  The service was combined with the service which is given each month for veterans without families.  This month there were 64!  I also learned that the first soldier killed in action in Iraq/Afghanistan was buried at Riverside as was the 4,000th.  There are 60 soldiers here from the current conflict.

We staged behind the administration building where the color guard was warming up and I got a picture of the bugler.  Then we fed the ducks and got on with business.  A bell was rung for each of the 64 soldiers as their name was read.  The gun salute was given and taps was played.  It is a sad commentary that these men have left us and their families couldn't be found.

Shrout & Livas

There was a service in Lancaster for Pfc Delgado this morning.  I couldn't make it to the service but did find myself about 25 miles east of Palmdale waiting for the procession to pass on the way to Riverside National Cemetery.  I should have paid more attention to the schedule as I waited for more than two hours as you can tell by the pictures of the Joshua Trees and snow capped mountains.  Then I began to hear a roar that got louder and louder.  Around the corner comes the "missing man" formation of bikes and the coach.  A quick picture - salute the coach - jump in the truck and join in.  The procession was a good quarter of a mile long with the family - friends - and the PGR.  Traffic on I-215 through San Bernardino and Riverside was a challange for such a large group but we made it!  Pvt. Delgado received a promotion to Private First Class - The Bronze Star - Purple Heart - and the Expert Combat Infantry Badge at the service.  Rest easy Pfc. Delgado.

PFC Delgado

    Dale Hermundson - US Navy, Richard Dillard - US Army, Paul Boyd - US Army, Anthony DePalma - US Navy

Fourteen Bikes and Five Cages gathered at Riverside National Cemetery in our First Veterans Without Families mission.   We were joined by the niece and nephew of one soldier and Mr. Richard Blackaby of the National 4th Infantry Division Association.  Mr. Blackaby has been present at these services for over a year and was often the only person present.  You can see by the pictures of his car that his family is well represented in serving the USA.  The last picture shows the newest "PGR Couple!"

Hermundson Dillard Boyd Depalma

The Patriot Guard joined Virginia's niece Ester to pay final respects in Westminster this morning.  Virginia's son had been MIA in Viet Nam until just a few years ago when his remains were found - identified - and returned home.  It was a privilege to be invited to honor this Gold Star Mother who had given so much.

Virgina Gold Star Mom

International Cemetery, Cremation and Funeral Association (ICCFA) Convention San Diego

Forty members of The Patriot Guard assembled in San Diego for this convention.  We were invited to participate in a presentation by one of the speakers who talked about services for veterans and how the PGR was involved.  We entered the hall with our flags and lined up on both sides of the auditorium as the members stood and many placed their hands over their hearts.  The ICCFA made a $2000 donation to the PGR and invited us to stay for lunch and check out the display area.  One of the display's made a special effort to hand me their card.  It was 1-800-Autopsy!!!  It wasn't the recognition that I was looking for (ha ha).

As we were entering the hall I noticed a patch on the back of one of the PGR members.  He was an Australian Veteran of Viet Nam!  I told him that my brother had been Down-Under for the last 30 years.  He then reached in his pocket and gave me a patch for my vest.  It is an "Australian Viet Nam Forces" patch.  I will wear this one proudly.

SD Convention

March 19  2008:  The Patriot Guard turned out with about a dozen bikes and two cages to honor Mr. Richardson.  We gathered in Lake Elsinore and escorted the coach and family to Grace Fellowship Church in Norco.  After an intimate service where family members described his life we were invited by the family and the church to join them for a light lunch before escorting the coach and family back to Lake Elsinore.  We will meet again on Friday for the procession to Riverside National Cemetery.

Memories of Uncle Bill are always filled with such great laughter. He had this way of making you laugh and forever imprinted in my mind. My favorite memories are always the ones of him working very hard at his shop with Uncle Kerry. When we would visit him with Grandma or Mom (his sister Carol) he would always say something funny and show us the work he was doing. He was very talented! I remember visiting him and Aunt Nancy one time with their beautiful horses and he was so proud and passionate about them. He is forever my mind and I know he is in a wonderful place but yet he will be forever missed. He was loved from afar and will always have a place in my heart. I know that God will bring peace to Nancy and his very close loved ones. Lovingly, Gina (his neice)

Charles Richardson

The PGR staged in Lake Elsinore for the escort to Riverside National Cemetery.  After Willie gave the mission brief we set up a flag line and I was offered the special honor of carrying Mr. Richardson's urn down the flag line.  I was proud to be a part of this tribute.  Thank you Nancy for allowing me to help in this small way.

We departed Lake Elsinore and made one stop about 10 miles up the road to pick up the rest of the family that couldn't made it to the mortuary then on to Riverside National Cemetery.  As we passed through the city of Perris there was a drivers license checkpoint that had the road backed up.  We were waved through without any delay.  Some more PGR members joined us and we now had 27 bikes and 6 cages.  The Honor Guard performed the 21 Gun Salute - Taps - and the Presentation of the Flag.  After the ceremony Mrs. Richardson came down to the bikes and gave a personal thank you to every member.

Day 2

We gathered in Bellflower this morning along with the friends and family of Melvin Durham.  Mel fought in Africa and Italy as an infantryman. He was awarded 3 Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart. He was discharged as a Sergeant. After his service he became a musician playing the Base until his death at 93 years old.

 

Melvin Durham

Mar 7 2008

Eighteen bikes and four cages assembled at Riverside National Cemetery this morning to honor Dennis Gough.  Mr. Gough must have been a car enthusiast as there were several classic cars at the service.  There was a large turnout as the staging area overflowed with his friends.

Dennis Gough

Feb 12 2008

With little more than 16 hours notice the PGR came through with twelve bikes and one cage at Riverside National Cemetery this morning to honor this Korean War Veteran.  We met at the administration building and then moved to the Staging Area for the service.  The family was at the staging area where Herbert's grandson, Andrew, captured everyone's attention and heart.  Andrew ran around everyone's legs then shook hands and gave high fives, at least as high as a 2 year old can reach.  Andrew was then treated to a seat on several of the bikes and his eyes grew large as the engine was started.

It was now time for the more solemn duty of rendering honors to his grandfather.  The flag line formed, the rifle salute, Taps and the Flag presentation.  Brass from the rifle salute was given to the family and Candyman spoke to close the ceremony.  We will not forget Herbert or Andrew.

Andrew

Feb 11.  What an awesome day 91 bikes and 10 cages showed up to honor Brandon A. Meyer 1987 - 2008. I want to thank everyone who participated and those whose thoughts were with us.

Three bikes and two cages staged at the mortuary while the main body staged at the church. Gunny sent ten more bikes to the mortuary to join the escort of Brandon to the church. The flag line formed as the casket was carried into the church and again as the family arrived.

PGR members from San Diego - Palm Springs - Inland Empire and others along with about 10 first timers were present. The City of Orange had four Motorcycle Officers at the church and thankfully their services were not needed. Chocolate Chip Cookies and water were plentiful and enjoyed by all.

During the service the "Missing Man Formation" was formed and "Road Guards" were volunteered and plans were amended several times!

As the service at the church ended we again formed the flag line. The trip to the cemetery was a success except that the R/C who was running sweeper for the entire procession made a wrong turn in the Texas Truck.

At the end of the service at the cemetery Brandon's father wanted to talk to the PGR. I can't quote him but among the things he mentioned were 9-11 and how it affected so many people including Brandon. Brandon would have joined the Army at age 14 if they would have let him. If Brandon would have known how his service to his country would end, he still would have gone and not changed any of it.  He said that he never knew that there was a group like the PGR and could not express how he felt walking out of the church and seeing all of those people and all of those flags.

A few pictures have been added to those taken on the 9th.  Click the link below.

Feb 9.  I picked up Stew Hunter and we joined the PGR contingent from the Inland Empire for today's mission.  We gathered at the USA Gas Station in Rancho Cucamonga and with the snow capped mountains as a backdrop we convoyed to John Wayne Airport to meet the plane.  Parking at the airport was already in short supply and we had to shuffle the bikes around to make room as more kept arriving.  We ended up with 81 bikes and 6 cages.  The Army Honor Guard detail was already there.  I put in a call to FAA in San Diego and the supervisor soon called back and said that the plane had just crossed the Colorado River and was 55 minutes out.  Soon the airport fire trucks moved into position along with several police cars, all to show respect for Pfc Meyer.  The airplane arrived and the solemn task of moving the casket to the hearse took place.  Even though we were not allowed on the tarmac we stood by the fence and rendered salutes.  Pfc Meyer had asked that everyone wear baby-blue and under the vests were blue shirts everywhere.  The trip to the mortuary took place without a hitch if you think that 81 bikes can go across town without being noticed.  Our Road Guards did an excellent job of blocking intersections and keeping us all together.  We formed a flag line at the mortuary and rendered salutes to one more warrior.

Brandon Meyer

The Department of Defense announced today the death of two soldiers who were supporting Operation Enduring Freedom.  They died Jan. 7 of wounds suffered when their vehicle struck an improvised explosive device in Laghar Juy, Afghanistan.  Sgt. James K. Healy, 25, of Hesperia, Calif, who died at Jalalabad Airfield, Afghanistan. He was assigned to the 703^rd Explosive Ordnance Detachment, Fort Knox, Ky.

About two dozen members of the Patriot Guard and the Army Honor Guard were at John Wayne airport to wait with members of Sgt Healy's family for the charter jet to bring him home today.  There must be some words that would make this easier but I don't know what they are.  Rest easy soldier.

James Healey

 

Alexander Rokov  January 16, 2008.  Mr. Rokov was an Army Veteran of Viet Nam and worked for the Post Office.  He died with no next of kin.  The Patriot Guard Riders and the AMVETS attended his service at Forest Lawn in Covina to render honors.  Twenty Five bikes and one cage (my truck) represented the PGR.  Today we were his family.  As I walked back to my truck at the end of the ceremony there was a young man standing near where we had parked who had watched the ceremony, he said "That was just beautiful, really beautiful".

Alexander Rokov

Mission Complete

Twelve bikes, two cages and two first timers met at the Riverside National Cemetery to honor and remember Otis Williams. Military honors were rendered for this vet, a member of an all black battalion who helped liberate the Philippines. Good bye Otis Williams. You join the many from WW2 that have passed and gone to heaven.  You will meet many of your old friends. We will remember you all.
Winger/RC

Otis Williams