PGR - Purple Heart Ceremony for PFC Gustavo Zarate US ARMY

VA - PAHCS blog:    http://is.gd/zSin4C

Cliff/Flagman pics:   http://is.gd/l7V5RB 

Mission Post:

The Patriot Guard Riders have been requested to participate in the Purple
Heart Ceremony for PFC Zarate. PFC Zarate was wounded in Pakistan on
May 19th, 2012 when his base came under missile attack. He's been in the
hospital ever since and recently started walking with assistance.  He's a
first generation immigrant and most of his family do not speak english, so
we will have a bi-lingual ceremony with translators for the parents.   The
weather is supposed to be sunny, so should be great for the riders.
Location is Building 7, Healing Garden.  BBQ to follow.

The VA has a brand new PAO who will be there. And also a brand new
Army Liaison who is also going to be there.  Neither of them are familiar
with the PGR or the Blue Star Moms other than what I've told them.  It
would be good for them to meet you guys.

Please bring your Flags as Cliff may not be able to attend this and lets
Honor this American Hero as he receives his Medal. The Purple Heart will
be given to PFC Zarate by US ARMY Col. Bill Carter and a Sgt Major still
to be determined.

These Missions are an Honor to be a part of as this type of thing is
usually done in private at the VA. We get to stand holding our Flags to
let PFC Zarte and his Family know that we as a Nation are thankful for
his service and sacrifice.

Pics are from top to bottom, click on a pic for a larger pic, text for a pic is under it.

It was an Honor to attend and we had a good showing, about a dozen scoots some cages and Blue Star Moms.  Thanks to all.

Our line of scoots, looking fine, and of course, illegally parked...

James and Cliff/Flagman chatting, you can see all the flags that he put up surrounding the entire area.  Does a great job!  Thank you my friend!

More folks on the right.

Podium set up for presenting.

Getting ready for the presentation.

Just scanning the area.

Cliff put up all the flags you see.

Scanning the crowd.

The ladies on the right offered a Prayer for our hero, and all that serve.

Our hero standing in honor of all.  Thank you and God Bless! 

PGR - Army National Guard Claudio Navarro

Pics are from top to bottom, click on a pic for a larger pic, text for a pic is under it.

PGR was invited to stand in honor for a Veteran and an honor it was.  The mission post:

Link to Debbie P's facebook pics:     http://is.gd/yYO3FO


The Patriot Guard Riders have been requested to give final Honors for Claudio Navarro. This will be a Flag line at the Cemetery and  Escort to his final resting place at same location. Here is what his Daughter Elizabeth had to say about her Dad...

Dad loved to march to cadence. He absolutely loved it. He enjoyed the military and took pride in his uniform and the time he served to the point where he'd get a bit teary eyed when reflecting on his time while serving.

Short notice mission but seven riders arrived, 5 scoots and 2 cages.  Thanks to all that could make it.

Arriving at our staging across the street from Oak Hill, some of the scoots...  My sweet Ruby in front.

Doug / Sgtmaj on the right chatting with the riders.  He is still in a cage while waiting for his scoot to get out of the shop. 

We moved over to Oak Hill and Debbi P was taking a pic of the riders. 

I had to jump right in!  On the right end standing by Slick John.

Debbi's batteries were getting weak and she wanted in a pic also and we snapped another.

Slick and Doug chatting and Debbi to the right.

The only pic I took at the service as we were setting up for it to begin.  I won't take pics while in a flag line, do not believe it to be the right thing.  Please look at Debbie's pics posted before mine for additional coverage.

 

PGR - Woman's Army Corps Natalia Mead San Jose

Pics are from top to bottom, click on a pic for a larger pic, text for a pic is under the pic.

Mission post:  

The Patriot Guard Riders have been requested to Escort (WAC) Natalia Mead to her final resting place. Here is what her grandson had to say:

My grandmother was a member of the Women's Army Corp (WAC) who worked as a aircraft mechanic for the US Army Air Corps during World War II. She was stationed at 268th Army Air Base, San Francisco.

E-3/PFC Natalia Mead was also a member of post #564 and was a huge supporter of our troops. 

Please bring your Flags and lets Honor her and her Family.

And an honor it was!  Thanks to the family for asking PGR / ALR / and others to attend.

I live in S San Jose so it was a short ride, I had just got on Monterey Hwy and saw a fellow ALR rider, thought I recognized him, but turns out he was coming in from Atwater - over Hecker Pass in the cold.  He had ice forming on his windshield, brave man!  

He's standing behind my sweet Ruby, ALR Chapter 83.  ALR was very well represented today.  We had three from our host post 564, ALR District 13.

Sgtmaj in the tan jacket a little to the right was our Ride Captain (RC) for this mission. He's currently caging missions while his scoot is being repaired.

Close to service time so we formed our flag line, on the left....

... and right...

I found out from Ed J, on the right, that there were more folks in the rear so took a few pics.  Slick John in the center with his old red/gold Harley behind him.     Ed has been a long time member of post 564 and an ALR District 13 member.  Slick is ALR Dist 13 also.

And more on the other side.  The rider on the left had on full heated gear, we all were jealous!  It was very cold this morning!

More scoots in the rear parking lot.  I believe I counted 13 scoots and Sgtmaj in a cage.

Ready for the service to end and our hero to come out.   Fellow ALR Dist 13 rider, on the right,  and I were flag bikes and led the procession to Oak Hill.

Scoots lined up after the procession, our ARC Mark Z in his ever colorful lime green vest in front.  He has a beautiful Gold Wing in front, with many flashing lights, very effective during escorts.

Post 564 Commander Shirley B assisted in the service and all was done very well.  Post 564 Honor Guard performed the 21 gun salute, taps and flag folding.

Thank you all for attending this service for one of Americas finest generation.  God Bless Natalia Mead and RIP.   Comforting Prayers for family and friends.