Thursday, February 18, 2010

PGR - Army Cpl Benny Mendez, Vietnam Veteran

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

A 'Nam Vet finally received his welcome home! From PGR, family and friends.. but much more important, God! Welcome home my friend!

Brada Panak did his normal great job of RC'ing this mission and thank you!

We staged at SB coffee at Planet Mall, and this was trip two for me... I saw the short notice and the first letter was T and I thought Tuesday... sigh... Well, I Knew where to go.



Gathering and greeting...


Just shooting some pics... more arrived, guess I got to yakking and didn't take more...


I think Slick John was the first on the left, just visible, Bruce and Lori, Panak, Earl, John B back to us, running out of names...

Brada Panak did our briefing, and he did his normal excellent job, and then we were off for our long trip across the road! GBG



The PGR bikes for the escort short ride, lined up in order.. the first two were to lead the hearse, the second were to follow it and the rest to follow the family scoots and cages.


Here are the family scoots, the Rev. was riding one of the scoots....




This is about when Ben was to be carried out.. One of the ladies taking pics was taking shots of us and talking to some of us, and the event started to hit home for her...

She became quite emotional, and why not... this is the time. She was tearing up and asked her SO if he had a hanky, he didn't, so I gave her mine... she asked me what my name was... I said Cranky.. as always I have to explain what it means.. cranking a bike.

She got a giggle out of that..... I have hanky from Cranky! She said she got a lot of comfort standing with us, I told her she was welcome to stand with us in the honor line.

This was a mission with great attendance and Ben was well loved, had lots of family and a couple walked the honor line and shook our hands! God Bless!

Celebrate the life lived! Thank you for asking PGR to honor one of our fallen Vets!

PGR / CROSS Tony Gurule San Jose, CA

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

One of our CROSS friends passed, God Bless and welcome us as we arrive, and PGR was asked to escort him on his final ride.

The numbers of bikes and cages was just great! Well over 150! Thank you all who attended!



Just shooting some shots at the briefing... Rich M on the left and Chappie front right.




Hi and his hack in front, we're getting ready to head out..


It was interesting, there were many bystanders that had nothing to do with the escort, I mean MANY, and they were waving and taking pics... glad this was on a holiday, it made traveling easier.


Ready to roll... my sweet Ruby in front, and I get to be tail gunner, last of all the pack. Not necessary to say with this many folks the trip had a few glitches, but we all made it safe, and that IS what counts!


We arrive at the church at the top of the hill, and it really is, nice view! Sgtmaj watching the procession and honor line forming up....


Quite a line of folks and bikes at the end... as the family and friends went by, much noise was made for Tony.


Our group of bikes and I was not even going to try to count them.



The CROSS group of bikes the family and friends walked thru and lemo.

It was an honor to ride for one of my CROSS friends. I've ridden with Keith a few times also - RIP, and I'm sure he was waiting for Tony with open arms!