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.




 

PGR - USA PFC Lauren Reyes

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

From the mission post:

The Patriot Guard Riders have been requested to help with grave side Honors for Spc Reyes.

SPC Delos Reyes served three years on active duty for the 21st Cargo Transfer Company, Ft. Lewis, WA. She was currently serving as an Army Reservist when she passed away in a car accident. Lauren was only 27 years old and leaves behind two children, siblings and her parents.

The Family and the Mortuary has asked us to help with the Graveside Committal at Golden Gate National Cemetery. Please bring  your Flags and lets Honor her with her Family.

Thank you for allowing PGR to stand in Honor. And an Honor it was.  We had a nice showing for mid-week, 9 scoots and a couple cages. 

I always take a pic of the flag, it is impressive.  I've only seen it a couple times at full mast.  Sweet Ruby on the right.

I was running a little late and went direct to GGNC. Talked with the office about mission details.  

It was sunny when I arrived, it follows me, sigh.

I expected to see the scoots coming in on Sneath Ln, but Bunker drew the RC spot - on the left and Ernie H next to him - they are VP and Pres of our ALR Dist 13 group, brought them in the back way.  I flagged him down and told him what was planned.

The scoots lined up as we formed our flag line.  The entire mission was to be held in the Chapel.

Waiting for the service to arrive.  I've been to many services and it always hurts a special bit more when the young ones pass. 

God Bless the family and May the Good Lord Comfort them. 

Eagles Up Recycled Rides US MARINE Sgt Brando Delflorentino & welcome home US ARMY Col. Bob Benjamin

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

The longest mission title ever!  GBG  And it was a very good mission.  

Many folks teamed to help Sterling Auto Body prepare and present a car to a well deserved Vet!  

We staged at our normal place in SJ by the airport to split into two groups.  One to ride with CJ from the airport to Sterling and Buzz took the rest to retrieve our hero for the ceremony.  CJ led us on a scoot that Bob was going to ride to the auto shop, followed by his wife in a cage.   But back to the beginning at our staging....

CJ from Sterling Auto Body is on the right,  by his car which his wife drove while he rode the scoot to the airport for Bob to ride to the shop.  Like I said, we went in two different ways and got 'er done!  I was in the airport run. 


As you can see, we had a pretty good turnout, IIRC, I counted 20 scoots and 2 cages.  

While we were waiting at the airport a lady was walking by and chatted with CJ and he invited her to welcome home our returning hero and by golly she did.  That's how the entire group got into a pic.  CJ and wife, ol' dude, I got the other two names, and you know how I am, sigh... 

Bob is on the right side of the pic.

And this is the lady that wanted to stick around and say welcome home.  She really was a very nice person, got a kick out of her!

Sorry, my fuzzy pics are back, but Bob giving her a shake.

Checkout time on the scoot.  Bob had NO problem with the scoot!  CJ led the way to the shop and the 4 of us followed with Bob in front.  I think his wife got some good pics from the car.  I know of at least one where she was standing up thru the moon roof.... yes officer, I had my seat belt on!!!!   GBG

We arrived before the main group and Bob got a few hellos in....

We had multiple guests waiting when we arrived, Doug/ Diane, and Hy L were there.

Doug chatting with Bob, got Hy a little bit... 

Bob inside visiting while we wait for the other group.

Just taking some pics, Bob was visiting and a lot of the work crew were to the right.  BTW, Bob is VP of Sterling Auto Body.

Better shot of the car, VW Jetta, and it was absolutely brand spanking new,  Bob even said it smelled new!   EVERYTHING was perfect!!!!  Detailed in every way, even the parts under the hood!  Outstanding!!!

When they made the presentation, they gave our honored Vet a copy of the pics during the process, the first word I heard was WOW!  Must of been a restoration job!

Fellow ALR Dist 13 rider Dave E came in with his new to him jeep.  It was a Jewell!  Spotless!

I love this pic!!!  See Sgtmaj on the left by the scoot!  He as smiling as wide as I've seen!  He talked to Dave about the jeep!  He had fond memories in the past!

In comes group II!!!!!  It was timed pretty good!  Both groups arrived within 15 minutes and both were right on time! 

More, I think our hero is in the cage.

Starting to get quite the crowd of machines.

Last of group II getting their flags out.

And our hero approaches flanked by CJ and Sgtmaj/Doug.

And in to the honor circle.  Bless 'um both and ask for the very best!

Presentations and honors to all that helped this to be!  There were many and I salute you all!  And I went to ZZZZZ and didn't get a pic, but Hy L gave them a gift certificate for their first 6 month insurance, from his car club!  Outstanding!

I tried to capture the group to the left..

.. and right... ever present Slick John to the right!  

 ..just pics...

Some of the folks that made this happen, I can't tell if I had them all or not... sigh...

Here are a lot of the folks that did the work, and they did fine!! Great on Ya!

Story time... as we were riding from the airport... I was tailgunner and I spotted this car, and remembered it from past missions, like Monday at Skip's service!  I gave him a wave and he gave a toot and down the road...

He was headed for this mission!  Apparently Mapquest kidded him and he was searching for this place all this time!   I  had to mention, all he had to do was follow!  GBG  Yes, he was a tad bit tic'd.  

Great mission!  Thanks to all that rode/drove.