PGR - USA Spc. Derek T. Simonetta

Pics are from top to bottom, click on a pic for a larger pic and then do it again, text for a pic is under the pic.

------------ Part 1 -----------------------------

An American Hero has fallen and PGR was asked to provide an honor escort. We staged at Moffett Field for the arrival home and escort to the funeral home.

Bill (Bunker) Roller got the RC straw, and as Al (Maddog) Cook works there (our ALR District 13 president and VP), he was very helpful with the logistics.


Lynn T's Hummer on the left. Panak and James B wife with her, the guy on the left, I can't remember.


We had a lot of cages today, it was cool and the weather had been... not nice...


Quite a few hardy souls made the run! Thank all that attended!!!


My Sweet Ruby on the rear left with flag flying. Well... this is Moffett and a delay is not out of the question. So the arival time went from 1210 to 1315 and Maddog moved us to a more comfortable waiting place.



Lap of luxury! The Officers Club! I don't think I've had a nice place to wait very often!

Well, 1315 was coming up and I asked Maddog what the schedule was... another delay 'til 1515. Moffett delays are well known, but normally they are for welcome homes as those troops have low priority on transportation, I thought this mission would be exempt, but I guess not. Waiting for an extended time would have put me into riding at night and I just don't do that, it's a vision thing, sigh. So I packed up and went home early.

Thanks to all that showed up!!! God Bless and Healing Prayers for family and friends during this time of passing.

-------------- Part 2 ------------------------------

I arrived late to the service and it was in process. It was well attended and the police escort did a GREAT job as always, and I / we thank them very much!


Parked my Sweet Ruby and took some pics of the honor escort.


I'm back at the end of the line of scoots behind the hearse.


The fire truck had a 1/2 mast / ladder flag flying, a very nice touch! Thank you!


The honor guard taking position. We didn't understand it at the time but the service was finalized here.


Another pic of the escort line.


Formed up for the movement of our Hero to the hearse.


The other leg of the line, our RC Bill (Bunker) Roller first on the right.

They had a beautiful series of water falls. I missed the one on the other side of the road.

The PGR escort was for our fallen Hero only, and it was truly an honor. I've always said all missions are different and personal and this one was also.

We escorted our Hero to his final preparation, this was a cremation. PGR also performed pall bearer services. Six of our group volunteered. Rest In Peace Spc Simonetta!!! God Bless Family and friends.

PGR - USA SSgt. Vincent W. Ashlock Part 1

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

Another of our finest has passed while serving. Healing Prayers for family and friends during this time of passing. God Bless.

The weather started out decent and I thought we'd have a fair day. It was until after south of Gilroy, from then on we had fog and rain. Not too bad, all I asked the Good Lord for was that the plane would not have problems landing, and it didn't.

I missed the staging and went direct to the airport and it was a tad bit user unfriendly to a new comer. As I was wandering around, I asked a policeman for directions and as he was giving them in came the main group, and I said - I just found the way, and off we went.

Thanks to Mark Z RC and Anthony S ARC for another excellent job done on this mission! We need more like you!


After over an hour+ on the road the first stop was the rest room and it was inside a hanger, and might I add, a very nice one!


The airport and weather. Glad they can land under these skies.


We had 18 scoots and a very good showing for PGR! Thank you all that rode!



Waiting for the airplane. The family was in the hanger.

Asking the Good Lord to comfort family and friends during this time of passing. Please celebrate the shortened life lived.......

PGR - Wreaths Across America '10

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

We - PGR - have been doing this for for five years. The only one I missed was '09, and I was in Reno at DIL's graduation, all things have their priorities! GBG

I have slide shows of 06,
07
http://pgrblogseriesthru2008.blogspot.com/2009/04/pgr-alr-wreaths-across-america-ggnc-12.html

08
http://pgrblogseriesthru2008.blogspot.com/2009/04/pgr-wreaths-across-america-ggnc-san.html

The first one was a bit light in attendance and Rich B stepped up and took charge and did a fine job!

But there does seem to be a theme to these events... the weather! No rain, but I got fogged to death. Very wet, but I've come to expect it.


Just arriving, notice "weather", sigh


Our south San Jose and further group arriving. James B welcoming Rich M and wife on the right and next to them was Buzz B and wife ( I remembered one, not the other, sigh... Anita) on the left.


Things getting ready to start.


The flag is not normally full mast, it's 1/2 mast and rightfully so! But in looking back at my blogs, it's full mast for these ceremonies.


I think these folks are Civil Air Patrol.


The service flags being moved into position.


Folks that represent the various services standing tall! They all hung a wreath in honor! On the right is Debbie S and IIRC has always done the MIA/POW wreath. And on her right, for the AF folks, next over on the left is Chappie, representing the Merchant Marines. I hope I didn't mess up and if I did, please correct me and I'll fix the blog!!!


Exiting the honor position.

http://www.facebook.com/n/?photo.php&fbid=10150100415313834&set=a.10150100407553834.306137.570788833&mid=36e4901G42218888G211a7deG5&n_m=williamsnod%40gmail.com

A link to Facebook of me leaving...

There was a nice crowd to honor the event.

We had some Gold Star Parents there to visit their loved ones. God Bless you and hold them in your heart and love them, as God is Holding and Loving Them in His.

PGR - Sgt Raymond Valles Jr. US Army

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

A veteran passed and PGR was asked to ride in honor and an honor it was, thank you!

Mark Z drew the RC straw and thank you my friend for what you do! We had 7 at the church, one was a family member that wanted to ride sweep with us / me. It was a pleasure and you did a fine job, and that turned out be a bit more than we thought.

Normally we have a few cars in the procession, and we don't normally escort all... I'd guess this one had close to 50. And we had Capitol Exp to navigate. Got 'er done in fine style!


I like to take pics of the scoots and riders as, well, that's all I can shoot, the service is of limits.


It's a good thing that I did! If you look at this scoot, the copper colored center pole came off about 4 miles East of Casa De Fruita. One of the riders that joined us at Gilroy, Tom, stopped to pick it up. As sweep, we have instructions passed out, if you stop for any reason during the mission, show a thumbs up or down... he did neither so I stopped. All was fine and we eventually caught up with the escort.


My sweet Ruby, 'course, I'm a bit prejudiced! GBG



I'll try names, if I get any wrong, ping me and I'll fix them. williamsnod@gmail.com

Gary R, Reno (I think the flag belongs to him) Slickjohn, Ed (I think) and Mark Z our RC who did a great job!!! Gary, Slick and I all belong to ALR District 13. Ed is ALR District 28.


Slickjohn, MarkZ, a member of the family that joined me as sweep (need name help here!) and Reno.


Ed and Gary R.



Getting ready to head out! Successful mission and the family was appreciative of our presence and it was an honored to attend!

Healing Prayers fpr and friends during this time of passing. God Bless!

PGR - LCpl Arden A. Buenagua USMC - Part 1 and 2

Late add... I received a pic from a friend as I was exiting from the mission, I'll not ask you to scroll down all the way... but it is a rare honor for me to be in the mission pics, I don't fit into my camera... Click it twice... to view.



-------------------- PART 1 ------------------------ 2 IS BELOW

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

A Marine has passed and PGR was asked to ride in honor, and an honor it was! Buzz B. stepped up to be RC and thank you for doing this complex mission.

We arrived at our meet point at the airport and moved to the terminal to await the family. The best I can estimate is around three dozen PGR showed up, great on Ya! And thank you!


Earl B. setting up his roof top flasher.


The other leg of bikes and more showed up after these pics, great turnout!


James B. and Earl B listening to Buzz B. give his say once.


Center is Buzz B. giving us his briefing and Panak just to my right and center.


At the airport, my sweet Ruby in front, of course, I'm prejudice!


The police presence for the escort was fantastic! I counted 20 PD scoots and I'd guess another 10 squad cars. Outstanding and thank you!


Getting ready for the arrival...


More PGR scoots.


Squad cars lined up, lights flashing.



Fire trucks also with lights flashing. The final escort to GGNC is on Saturday.

Healing Prayers for family and friends during this time of passing. God Bless!

-------------------- PART 2 ------------------------

Saturday started out with a chance of rain, but thank the Good Lord, the weather at GGNC was fine, a bit blustery, but dry.

I thought I'd be all by myself going direct to GGNC but it turned out, I was far from alone!


I found a new member already there. We chatted a bit and then others arrived...


Tom from the Tom and Nancy E team showed up with Dianne L behind him. Nancy was riding with Lynn T in her hummer from the service.


Debbi and Steve setting up their flags on the pickup.


Then a group came in that had lunch a short distance away, I had my ever present PB+J plus apple for lunch. Rich M, James and wife B, and others, getting ready for the arrival.


We had a nice ladder fire engine, looking for a place to set up.


Chose just outside the gate.


Flag going up!


And up, it went further, but the shot didn't come out very well.


This is always a worthy pic. Unable to even guess as to the number of cages and scoots. We had good weather because of all the folks like Rich B arrived by car. He said if he would've ridden his scoot, all heck would have happened! Glad it turned out to be a fine day for the family and friends paying their last respects!



It was a very successful service with full honors and many attendees. God Bless those left behind and Asking for the Best! Celebrate the short life lived.