[2017] 2 Parts: MIAP, 6 Unclaimed Veterans (49-17) 21 APR 17

[sgtmack]

ALCON,
Please read everything, detailed important information below.
We have received the following request from a Missing In America Project (MIAP) Texas Rep. MIAP has requested an escort from Amarillo, Texas to San Antonio, Texas on Thursday, April 20, 2017, and another escort from Sunset Memorial at 1701 Austin Highway, San Antonio Texas, to the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery on Friday April 21, 2017 for interment of 5 unaccompanied and unclaimed veterans cremains. This list has changed due to families stepping forward over the past few weeks to claim several cremains. The 5 remaining Veterans include 3 from the Vietnam War (1 Army, 2 Air Force), 1 from the Korean War (Air Force) and one Navy Veteran (See attachment below). This list may increase or decrease prior to April 20th.
The route will escort our Heroes through several Texas PGR Regions and the SA PGR is overall responsible for the mission in partnership with Regional RC’s as much as possible. The route is approximately 485 miles and will be broken up into 4 legs of approximately 120 miles each with a stop for lunch and another at the stopping point on the 20th for dinner.
Please remember this is not a race, safety is paramount!!
SA PGR POINTS OF CONTACT:

Mike “K9” Judge, ADSC: 210-241-3731
Jean “Dae WI” Clark, DSC: 210-452-2745
Victor “Big Bird” Munguia, RC: 210-421-2101
Bob Johnson, RC, 562-413-2223
CJ Rowell, National PGR, Chase and Lead Vehicle, 940-300-5674
ADDITIONAL IMPORTANT POINTS OF CONTACT:

A-D Mortuary Services: Joel Carver – 806-290-5267
Missing In America Project (MIAP): Joyce Earnest – 210-508-1139
Sunset Funeral Home: Knight Johnson – 210-322-8588
Valero Veterans Group: Brenda McAfee 210-416-1305
Texas Hill Country HOG: Elsa Scarsdale 210-602-4676
Javelina Harley Davidson, John Valdez, 210-867-6892

Jeff Wike, NTX PGR RC, Amarillo Hotel information:
13 rooms held for PGR at Ashmore Inn & Suites
2301 Interstate 40
Amarillo, TX. 79104 (aprx. 3 mi. from staging area)
Make own reservations at 877-374-3344, identify yourself as “Patriot Guard Riders” when you call to get the group rate, $72.00 per night + taxes which is approximately $10.80. I think the normally $129.00. If doubling up do so at the time of reservation indicate that you will need a room with 2 double beds.

DAY 1, Thursday, April 20, 2017

1. STAGING: 0600 Hours, Thursday, April 20, 2017
A to D Mortuary Services
808 S Johnson St
Amarillo, TX 79101
https://goo.gl/maps/xtgM6A1BWXP2

BRIEFING: 0615 Hours

KSU: 0700 Hours

RC#1: Tom Mullins, Texas DSC, Pan Handle Region
RC#2: Mike “K-9” Judge, ADSC SA PGR (Sweeper)
RC#3: Vic “Big Bird” Munguia, RC, SA PGR

WEATHER: Hi 79 / Lo52, 10% chance of precipitation, 40% Humidity, Windy

2. Lubbock – Fuel, (117mi., 1hr 45 min)
Loves Truck Stop
North I-27, Exit 8
4221 I-27 Frontage
Lubbock, TX 79403
https://goo.gl/maps/iS8ntuMgS2N2

RC#1: Tom Mullins, Texas DSC, Pan Handle Region
RC#2: Vic “Big Bird” Munguia, RC, SA PGR (Sweeper)
RC#3: Mike “K-9” Judge, ADSC SA PGR

WEATHER: Hi 82 / Lo 57, 10% chance of precipitation, 39% Humidity, Windy

3. Sweetwater – Fuel – Handoff to SA PGR (124 mi. 1 hr 50 min)
TA Sweetwater
100 Hopkins Rd
Sweetwater, Texas 79556
https://goo.gl/maps/ZzzKGt5F7Mt

RC#1: Mike “K-9” Judge, ADSC SA PGR
RC#2: Bob “Pizza Man” Johnson RC, SA PGR (Sweeper)
RC#3: Vic “Bib Bird” Munguia, RC, SA PGR

WEATHER: Hi 84 / Lo 70, 20% chance of precipitation, 62% Humidity

4. Menard – Fuel – Lunch- Potential Handoff pt (119 mi, 1 hr 45 min)
Pic N Pac
Frisco Ave
Menard, Texas Eden, TX 76859
https://goo.gl/maps/dX5B4UfmPBn

RC#1: Vic “Big Bird” Munguia, RC, SA PGR
RC#2: Jean “Dae Wi” Clark, DSC SA PGR (Sweeper)
RC#3: Bob “Pizza Man” Johnson, RC, SA PGR

WEATHER: Hi 75 / Lo 58, 60% scattered showers, 70% Humidity

5. Boerne – Javelina Harley Davidson
Destination for 20 April (123 mi, 1 hr 50 min)
27106 Hidden Trail
Boerne, Texas 78006
https://goo.gl/maps/hwQvjsgbHQS2
FC: NEEDED

RECEPTION HOSTED BY: Javelina Harley Davidson
Hill Country Harley Owners Group
Valero Veterans Group
San Antonio Patriot Guard Riders

WEATHER: Hi 79 / Lo 64, 20% chance of precipitation, 80% Humidity



San Antonio Hotel information will be forwarded as it is available.

DAY 2, FRIDAY, APRIL 21, 2017

STAGING: 0900 Hours, Friday, April 21, 2017
Sunset Funeral Home & Memorial Park

1701 Austin Highway
San Antonio, Texas 78218
https://goo.gl/maps/fmSuvQiox3p

BRIEFING: 0915 Hours

TRANSFER: 0930 Hours
Transfer Veterans to Coach

KSU: 0950 Hours
INTERMENT: 1000 Hours
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd
San Antonio, TX 78209
https://goo.gl/maps/Q9DUsYSBUS92

“The Funeral Service for these 5 Veterans will be held in the Assembly area of the Ft Sam Houston National Cemetery.

The cremains will be placed on the brier by MacArthur High School JROTC Cadets along with the funeral flag. The Memorial Services Detachment (MSD) Honor Guard will perform the 3 volleys of rifle fire and the sounding of taps.

The cremains represent Army, Navy and Air Force veterans. Flag folders will be present from each of the branches of service.

Following the flag presentation, there will be comments from 3 individuals as well as a clergyman. We are expecting 100-200 attendees.”

RC#1: Bob “Pizza Man” Johnson, SA PGR RC
RC#2: Jean “Dae Wi” Clark, SA PGR, DSC
RC#3: Mike “K9” Judge, ADSC, SA PGR, Fort Sam Houston Cemetery
FC: NEEDED AT FT SAM HOUSTON CEMETERY

WEATHER: Hi 82 / Lo 70, 50% chance of precipitation, 71% Humidity

Please direct comments, corrections and suggestions or recommendations to me. Thank you all for “stepping up”, I am very proud to be a PGR and TX PGR member!

Respectfully,
Mr. Jean “Dae Wi” Clark
Deputy State Captain
Patriot Guard, San Antonio, TX
Dignity, Honor, Respect
Cell: 210-452-2745

[sgtmack]

PGR standing with honor, at MIAP ceremony.

PGR standing and riding for MIAP.
https://www.facebook.com/alice.wagener. ... 451963200/
https://www.facebook.com/alice.wagener. ... 649928200/
https://www.facebook.com/alice.wagener. ... 605378200/

https://youtu.be/0dedV9Ffvfs
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0dedV9Ffvfs

More Photos can be found here
https://northtexaspgr.smugmug.com/MIAP/n-c3JVTN/

http://www.ktxs.com/news/patriot-guard- ... /456932450

[sgtmack]

http://www.fox34.com/story/35205249/tex ... k.facebook

Texas Patriot Guard Riders lay the remains of forgotten veterans to rest

Posted: Apr 20, 2017 7:53 PM CDT Updated: Apr 20, 2017 7:55 PM CDT

LUBBOCK, Texas -

It's a journey of love and honor as the Texas Patriot Guard Riders escort the cremated remains of five forgotten veterans from Amarillo to San Antonio.

These bikers proudly joined with the Missing in America Project to bring these fallen heroes to their final resting place at Ft. Sam Houston National Cemetery.

Benny Guerrero, Jr. with the Veterans of Foreign Wars said though it is hurtful that these soldiers don't have families of their own, the Riders are honored to be their family.

"We never ever want anyone, especially our veterans to go unnoticed, to be forgotten or to be not honored or not respected," Guerrero said. "So we came out today to show that respect and honor for their patriotism and their service."

The remains include three veterans from the Vietnam War, one from the Korean War, and one Navy veteran.

Steve Oien with the Military Order of the Purple Heart said, "Somehow along the way they lost touch with their loved ones and not sure how that happens, but it does. They're not the only ones that this has ever happened to. I think it's sad that someone passes away and their families don't know it or even worse yet, they aren't concerned."

The ride is a 485 mile escort that will travel through Lubbock, Sweetwater, Menard, Boerne, and finally, San Antonio.

A Texas Patriot Guard Rider, Kent Hinson, said, "I'm going all the way to San Anton' with them to honor our soldiers and honor the vets and everything."

"In this way, you are remembered," Oien said. "Your name might not be on a wall someplace, it might not be on a memorial someplace, but it is in our hearts and we honor them in that fashion."

The funeral service for these five unclaimed veterans will be held on Friday, April 21st, 2017.

[sgtmack]

By Al Rubinchak

MISSION ACCOMPLISHED after having ridden over 1100 miles on my victory since Wednesday morning up to Amarillo and back to retrieve the remains of five fallen servicemen - 1 cold war, 3 Vietnam and a Korean war veteran. These 5 combat veterans have finally been laid to rest in hallowed ground. It was my distinct pleasure, honor and blessing to have had the opportunity to take part In this most humbling of experiences. Joining with some fellow members of COMBAT VETERANS and an uncountless number of others from several other groups that support the Patriot Guard was an incredible experience. As we made our way back down to San Antonio on Thursday we were escorted the entire 500+ miles by police escort from several law enforcement departments. Passing through several small towns we were welcomed by hundreds of people who showed up along the route saluting the procession and waving American flags truly a tear - jerking experience. And such a fitting reception for these 5 veterans who made the ultimate sacrifice. In this day and time with a perpetual bombardment of bad stuff going on plastered all over the news. This experience once again reinvigorated the pride I have of being an American. We may live in a fallen world but there's definitely goodness out there to be had. My heart pours out with gratitude and appreciation to everyone involved that made today possible. God bless y'all and God bless the United States of America! In the immortal words of General Douglas Macarthur DUTY, HONOR, COUNTRY. Old soldiers never die they just fade away.....

[sgtmack]

Missing In America Project website
http://www.miap.us/

Missing In America Project
"It's The Right Thing To Do!"
Home Page

Why We're Here
The purpose of the MIA Project is to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed cremated remains of American veterans through the joint efforts of private, state and federal organizations. To provide honor and respect to those who have served this country by securing a final resting place for these forgotten heroes.

Working Together to Accomplish Our Goals
The initial focus of the MIA Project will be a massive, nation-wide effort to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed remains of forgotten veterans. This task will be executed through the combined, cooperative efforts of members of the American Legion, other volunteer service and veteran organizations, local Funeral Homes, State Funeral Commissions, State and National Veterans Administration Agencies, and the State and National Veterans Cemetery Administrations. Local, state and national laws must be followed in the identification, claiming process and proper interment of the unclaimed remains of forgotten veterans.

Our Progress to Date

Total Funeral Homes Visited - 2,048
Cremains Found - 14,908
Veterans Cremains Identified - 3,380
Veterans Interred - 3,115

Missing in America Project
Veteran Recovery Program

You served your country through a war, or through peacetime. You expected to receive a military burial, recognition by our government of your commitment to our great country. You expected to have honor and respect paid to you as a result of your service to our great country. Instead, you reside on a shelf in a mortuary or a storage facility at a crematorium.

The mission of the MIAP project is to locate, identify and inter the unclaimed cremains of veterans through the joint efforts of private, state and federal organizations. These forgotten veterans have served our country and, as such, deserve to be buried with honor and respect. The impetus for our fine program began in November 2006. The Idaho State Veterans cemetery interred 21 cremains of forgotten veterans, with full military honors and the dignity these fallen heroes so richly deserved. Recently, a state hospital announced that 3500 cremains were on shelves to be identified. On the shelf were cremains for the time span of the 1890s to 1971. It is estimated 1,000 of these cremains are veterans. This is happening in every state.

This project has just begun. We need to blanket every mortuary and cemetery in the United States and let them know there are people who desire to claim our veterans. We need to let them know it is our desire to see they are interred with the honor and respect they deserve. They served our great nation. It is now our great nation’s turn to serve them.

The veterans languishing on shelves need us. They need America to step forward and ensure they are buried with honor. They need America to show their thanks for their service. Without them, we would not have the freedoms we enjoy today.

[sgtmack]

http://abc7amarillo.com/news/local/thes ... s-cremains


'These unaccompanied veterans, we’re their family,' Patriot Guard transports cremains

by Tatiana Toomer/Kase Wilbanks

Thursday, April 20th 2017

Unclaimed veterans receive overdue honors. (ABC 7 Amarillo - Tatiana Toomer)
MORE VIDEO
Missing In America Project

AMARILLO, Texas (KVII) — Patriot Guard Riders from across the state gathered at A to D Mortuary Services Thursday morning to begin the transport of five unclaimed veterans to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery in San Antonio.

“It’s their right to have this last honor. Some of the homeless that are out there, are veterans. And when they pass and no one claims them, we still claim them as brothers. So them being vets, we have to honor them, we’ll respect them as such, and we’ll give them their honors for their burial,” said Don Williams, Vietnam veteran.

Joel Carver, Co-Owner of A to D Mortuary Services said the partnership with the Missing In America Project came about after beginning to research the unclaimed veterans in Potter, Randall and other surrounding Texas Panhandle counties.

"I'm appreciative of those who served our country and it means a great deal to me to see our community come together like this," Carver said. "People from all over the state have come to honor these veterans and that's what it's all about."

The Texas Patriot Guard Riders rode their motorcycles as they were escorted by a police motorcade. The funeral service will be held Friday in the assembly area of the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery. One veteran said, it is their duty to make sure all those who have served receive their proper honors and burials.

“They shouldn’t be left on a shelf, unclaimed, family-less, and just waiting for someone to inter them in a national cemetery. They have a right to be buried there," acknowledged Jean Clark, Patriot Guard.

Air Force Veteran and Central Texas Patriot Guard Rider Hank Bettis said it's a calling to participate in these rides after his father and grandfather were also veterans.

"It's near and dear to me, these gentlemen and women who are serving and give the ultimate sacrifice," Bettis said. "It's the least we could do to bring them home."

The Guard made stops for fuel and breaks along the way, including Lubbock. That's where local veterans were waiting to also take part in honoring their fellow comrades.

"It's an honor for us to be here to send them on their way home," Lubbock/Post VFW Member Armando Dayton said. "They were lonely for a long time but now they are headed home."

Folks in communities along the route lined the roadway and bridges and overpasses with flags and crossed hearts to pay tribute to the heroes.

"It really rings true the fact that we as Americans really stand for our military and enjoy the freedoms and thank them for the freedoms that they have given their life to preserve," Bettis said.

"It just proves that patriotism in this country is not dead-by a long shot," Patriot Guard Rider Dana Haselgrove said.

Haselgrove was one of four riders to be carrying the remains of one of the veterans.

"I'm taking my fellow brother that served with me in Vietnam to his final rest," Haselgrove said. "It's just an honor beyond belief."

There are thousands of unclaimed and unidentified veterans across the country. Next week, the North Texas Patriot Guard will hold another ceremony for 20 other veterans.

“These unaccompanied veterans, we’re their family. To do this, to stand a flag line for them and honor them is a privilege," said Brian Adams, Patriot Guard. “Most of the Patriot Guard Riders are veterans and to think that a veteran is actually being buried and doesn’t have any family standing by, is a tough situation,” Adams expressed.

[sgtmack]

http://news4sanantonio.com/news/local/m ... 04-21-2017


SAN ANTONIO — The remains of 5 U.S. military veterans never claimed were given a proper burial Friday.

One Army veteran, one Navy veteran and three Air Force veterans all left unclaimed by loved ones in Amarillo.

"We started out with 92 names of the homeless and indigent cremains that were in the vaults, that were stored in the county courthouses and so I knew there were possibly a few veterans among them,” said Joel Carver with the Missing in America Project.

After discovering several were veterans, the Missing in America Project worked to find a way to make sure they were properly buried.

"Had no idea that we were going to get this type of response and outpouring of support and love and appreciation of our veterans, even those we don't know,” said Carver.

The remains of all 5 were brought to San Antonio from Amarillo yesterday, escorted by the Texas Patriot Guard. And Friday again the veteran's organization took them on their final ride to Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

"We get to give them a proper burial with a name, there is no face to it, but there is a name and they will live forever in our hearts,” said Veteran Bob Johnson with the Texas Patriot Guard.

The late servicemen served in the Cold war, Korean war and Vietnam war periods. Bob Johnson who also served in Vietnam, says it's sad to know they never received a proper welcome home. He feels honored to see them get that final respect today

"Knowing I am giving them something they never had, that's why whenever I see a Vietnam Veteran I always say welcome home, because they didn't hear that very much,” said Johnson.

The Missing in America project has buried more than 3,000 remains of U.S. Military Veterans. It's proud project, giving our heroes a final goodbye.