Patriot Guard Riders

Missions 2014

 

by BethieA

Why do we wait Why do we, time and time again Gather and meet for a funeral of yet Another young soldier Faces showing sadness and Etched with the lines of time and pain So many memories Relived over and over as we wait All of us connected to this and To each other Whether by being brothers and sisters On the battlefield in some long ago war Or being a veteran of the support forces Or being the father or mother Or brother or sister or wife or husband Of someone serving or long departed Feeling so much Things we don't want to feel again But can never stop feeling And in waiting to pay respect and honor For another hero We somehow are able to feel some closure Some lessening of the ache that is always There So we wait We wait for another hearse to stop Another flag draped coffin to emerge Stand in another flag line Pay our respects and Say our goodbyes Then once again We wait

Honor Flight 5-7 September 2014

Honor Flight is a program to transport Veterans to Washington, DC to see the sights of the Capitol of this country that they helped defend and protect, and be honored as they so richly deserve.
 
We at the Patriot Guard are honored that we've been requested to Send Off and Welcome Home the most recent group of Heroes to be gifted with this trip.  This is a group of twenty WWII Heroes, members of our 'Greatest Generation'.
 
We will have the honor of meeting, shaking the hand of, and honoring History!!  These Heroes represent the history of our country, you won't want to miss this!  Bring your flags, banners, smiles, thank you's and good wishes!
 
These events took place at Ontario Airport, the Send Off on Friday, 05 SEPT staging at 0300 (3 a.m.), and the Welcome Home on Sunday, 07 SEPT.

Honor Flight 5-7Sep2014

SGT Eduardo J. Carrillo II, USMC, 26 July 2114

The family of Eduardo J. Carrillo II has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to attend the services and interment of their Hero, it will be our honor.

Eduardo J. Carrillo II served 8 years in the USMC, from 1996 to 2004, when he was honorably discharged at the rank of Sgt.  Ed was also a PGR member and attended many missions with his Dad. Eduardo's father, Ed "Sparks" Carrillo, is also a PGR member and was 1 of the first R/Cs (Ride Captains) in Southern California in the beginnings of the PGR in 2005, is also a Marine, they are both very proud of their service, and forever patriots.

Ed, also known as 'Bullet' by his friends, loved riding his motorcycle, and spent many days on the road with his dad Sparks, marine brothers, and PGR brothers/sisters, riding in the wind.  Sadly it was in a motorcycle accident that he was taken from us.

Ed worked for Ameriflight as an avionics supervisor.  He loved sports and played pretty much every sport in school, and was heavily involved in supporting his son in sports as well.  He loved being with his children and his family.  Family and riding and working was pretty much his whole life.

Everyone who ever met him called him a good man, a good friend, a good father, a good Marine, and someone you would love riding with and who always had your 6.

Ed is survived by his son Edward III, his daughter Isabella, his parents Ed 'Sparks' Carrillo and Patricia Carrillo, mother Gloria Arballo, his siblings Maria Rodriguez, Alejandro Carrillo, Jessica Dice, Eric Arballo, Gilbert Arballo and Katrina Arballo, and many extended family members and friends.
 

Eduardo J. Carrillo II

Welcome Home - Vietnam Veterans, Ontario, CA, 24 APR 2014

On October 24, 1969,  members of the 173rd Airborne Brigade Recon Platoon were on a 4-man recon mission in the Tiger Mountains attempting to locate a cave possibly holding American POW's

The team was comprised of:

Michael 'Dutch' Gude (Gufrinck)) 29 years old

Howard Hunt Jr., 19 years old

Grady Fox, 22 years old

Bob Bodemann, 20 years old

After the war was over they went their separate ways and did not stay in contact so they lost track of each other.  In 2011 Joe decided he had one mission left, and that was to find the other 3 team members.  He finally succeeded in finding all of them and it was found that all four are suffering and being treated for PTSD.

On April 24, 2014, 44 years and 6 months to the day, the four recon brother's will reunite in Riverside, California at Dutch's home.

Dutch will have his family there, and Bodemann will bring his wife, and his son and will fly from Colorado. Howard will be coming alone, as is Fox.  It will be one emotional time as these Warriors meet again at Ontario Airport in California.

 

Welcome Home 24Apr2014

Veterans Without Families April 23, 2014

PGR will join with the California National Guard Honor Team in rendering honors to those
American Heroes brought to Riverside National Cemetery during this past week without receiving their honors.
 
May the souls of these veterans rest in peace beneath the green carpet of grass in a Nation they helped to keep free.

They are not alone, we are their family.

“If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days,
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.”
 

Veterans wo Families 22Apr2014

Veterans Without Families April 2, 2014

PGR will join with the California National Guard Honor Team in rendering honors to those
American Heroes brought to Riverside National Cemetery during this past week without receiving their honors.
 
May the souls of these veterans rest in peace beneath the green carpet of grass in a Nation they helped to keep free.

They are not alone, we are their family.

“If we cannot do him honor while he's here to hear the praise,
Then at least let's give him homage at the ending of his days,
Perhaps just a simple headline in a paper that would say,
Our Country is in mourning, for a soldier died today.”
 

Veterans Without Families March 26, 2014

Four (4) American Heroes were honored at the Riverside National Cemetery.

The four (4) Veterans transported to Riverside by Dignity’s Rose Hills Mortuary were:
 
James Robinson, age 88, US Army, World War II; Robert Byrne, age 75, US Army, Cold War; Isaac Dedrick, age 89, US Army, Korea;
Julian Kozlowski, age 78, US Navy, Korea

We also recognized those veterans that were brought to RNC within the past week for direct burial without final honors.

The PGR was there to be the family for these veterans and stood by while military honors were rendered by the
California National Guard Honor Guard at Riverside National Cemetery.
 

Veterans wo Families 26Mar2014

CPL Cristobal Romo, 19, USA, MIA / KIA, Korea, Ontario, CA - 19 MAR 14 (PART 1)

CPL Romo was with 4th Platoon, Co. L, 3rd Batt., 31st IR, 7th ID. CPL Romo went missing in action in North Korea while his Platoon was sent in to the east side of the Chosin Reservoir to relieve the 3/5 Marines. He was declared killed in action on 12 DEC 50, and was accounted for Jan. 13, 2014. 
 

Cristobal Romo
Melchiore "Mel" Tomaselli, 79, USA, Korea Vet, Riverside, CA, MAR 3, 2014
The Patriot Guard Riders are honored the family of Melchiore "Mel" Tomaselli asks us to participate in their loved one's funeral and military honors.
 
Mel was born 14 SEP 34 in Brooklyn, NY.  Following high school Mel proudly served his country as a dental technician while in the Army during the Korean War.
 
Following his Army discharge Mel served as an Instructor of Cosmetology, at Citrus Community College for 12 years, then as the Dean of Cosmetology, at Riverside Community College for 13 years.
 
As a child, Mel used to play "stick-ball" with his childhood friend, Frank Torre (Milwaukee Braves & Philidelphia Phillis), and later was scouted by the Brooklyn Dodgers as a pitcher.
 
Mel is survived by his wife, Nancy; sons, Joseph & Ralph; step-children, Tim Marquez, Jenny Rodriguez & Tammy Ramos & eight grandchildren.
Mel Tomaselli

MSgt Conrad Clark Ferneau, Riverside: February 17, 2014

Mr. Ferneau enlisted in the Navy in March 1957 thru May 1965. In the Navy he attained rank of MM1 serving aboard the USS Ulhman DD and USS Bon Richard CVS. After the Navy he reenlisted in the Air Force, June 1965 thru 1977. He retired as a MSGT and served in No-Break Power Plants at various overseas locations.   

In his civilian life he worked in Civil Service at George AFB and Edwards AFB until retirement.  His hobbies included camping, fishing, and family. 

Conrad is survived by his wife Barbara, a sister Colleen Davis, brothers Thomas and Dennis, daughters Christine, and Michelle Bishop, 6 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.

Conrad Clark Ferneau

Robert Willard, Riverside: February 12, 2014

The family and friends of Robert "Bob" Willard, invited us to attend his interment service to honor him for his faithful service to our country.

Robert Willard of Riverside served as an MP in the US Army, including service in Vietnam. He was honorably discharged at the rank of Sergeant. Afterwards, he worked as a transcriptionist in the medical industry for over 20 years.

Robert is survived by a cousin, Shirley Steele and many friends who will miss him dearly.
 

Robert Willard

February 12,2014 Veterans Without Families

Four (4) American Heroes were honored at the Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren
Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518.

Gary A. Stamp, age 62, U.S. Navy, Vietnam: Tyree Brown, age 61, U.S. Air Force, Vietnam; David Swire, age 59, U.S. Navy, Vietnam: John L. Brown, age 57, U.S. Air Force, Honorably Served

The PGR was there to be the family for these veterans and stood by while military honors were rendered by the
California National Guard Honor Guard at Riverside National Cemetery.

May the souls of these veterans rest in peace alongside their brothers and sisters beneath the green sod of a Nation they
helped to keep free.

They are not alone, we are their family.
 

Veterans wo Families 12Feb2014

January 29, 2014 MCPO William "Dan" Danielson, 95, USN, WWII, Korea, Vietnam,

My first mission of 2014 was for Chief Danielson a veteran of three wars.

We have been invited to participate in accompany Master Chief Petty Officer William C. Danielson, USN. (RET) He served in 1937 and retired with 34 years of military service.

He is survived by his wife Aloha Danielson, Daughter Dawn Shellem, Megan Shellem, Grandchild Christopher S. Cieszkowski & Steven M Cieszkowski (he was 101st Airborne).

William C. Danielson

 

 

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