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[2019] Rev. Richard Mario Rivera Pena, US Army Veteran (122-19) 10 Jul 19

Posted: 08 Jul 2019, 17:12
by sgtmack
SHORT NOTICE
US ARMY VETERAN, VIETNAMThe family of Rev. Richard Mario Rivera Pena, a US Army Veteran, requests the presence and participation of the San Antonio Patriot Guard Riders at the graveside rendering of military honors of their loved one.
Father Richard Mario Rivera Peña, a retired priest of the Archdiocese of San Antonio, died Wednesday, June 26 at the age of 75. The youngest of seven children, Fr. Richard was born to Jesus and Elvira Pena on November 6, 1943 in San Antonio. He attended Sacred Heart School, Irving Middle School, and Holy Cross High School. After graduating from Holy Cross, he attended San Antonio College, earning an associate’s degree in 1966. In November of that year he was drafted into the U.S. Army, where he served until November 1968. Father Peña was a Vietnam veteran who saw combat as an infantryman during the 1968 Tet Offensive. While serving with his unit, the Third Ordinance Battalion, Security Platoon, he was awarded a Combat Infantry Badge and two Bronze Stars. Both his father and his brother Jesse were also combat veterans of World War II and Korea, respectively. Following his military service, Father Peña had a wide variety of life experiences. He worked for the United States Army/Air Force Exchange Service at Fort Sam Houston, as a claims adjuster for USAA, and a member of the Clerical Division for the San Antonio Police Department. Father Peña initially joined the Holy Cross Order as a Brother in 1980, and served as a religious education teacher in San Antonio, then with the Spanish Apostolate in Albany, N.Y., and later as a high school teacher in Long Beach, California. Following his life,with that religious community, he pursued studies for the priesthood at Assumption Seminary, earning a bachelor’s degree in Theology from Our Lady of the Lake University and a master’s degree in Divinity from Oblate School of Theology. Father Peña was ordained to the priesthood by Archbishop Patrick F. Flores on May 29, 1992 at Sacred Heart Church, his home parish, and the newly ordained priest celebrated his first Mass of Thanksgiving there on May 31.

He was initially assigned as parochial vicar of St. Leo the Great Church from 1992 to 1994. Father Peña later served as pastor of Christ the King Church and then St. Gabriel Church, the parish from which he retired. Father Peña was a Fourth Degree Knight of Columbus with Council 1102, spiritual moderator of the Archdiocesan Union of Holy Name Societies, national and state chaplain to the American GI Forum, member of the Disabled American Veterans, as well as a member of the Vietnam Veterans of America, Catholic War Veterans Post 1891, American Legion Post 0002, and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 8936.

WEATHER: Hi 98 / Lo 77, 5% Chance of Rain, 58% Humidity

REQUESTOR: James Garza, Nephew

STAGING: 1000 Hours, Wednesday, July 10, 2019
Lowe’s Home Improvement
1470 Austin Hwy
San Antonio, TX 78209
https://goo.gl/maps/ERgNaKivkcN2

BRIEFING: 1015 Hours

KSU: 1030 Hours (Semper Gumby)

INTERMENT: 1100 Hours – Shelter #1
Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery
1520 Harry Wurzbach Rd
San Antonio, TX 78209
https://goo.gl/maps/Q9DUsYSBUS92

RC: Michael “Twin Tower” Roberts
mbnroberts@me.com

FC: Don “Chappy” Ingram
chief28.ret@gmail.com

ADDITIONAL INSTRUCTIONS
1. Iron horses if you can, cages are always welcome and appreciated and unless under special circumstances not allowed in processions. You do not have to have a motorcycle to participate in honoring our veterans.

2. Safety First: Please remember to properly hydrate (including the night before) before any outdoor activity and to dress appropriately. Do not hesitate to take a break at any time if you feel you need to get in the shade or get indoors and always ask for help at any time. Also please do not forget your sun screen.

3. Please remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and. NO TALKING, SMOKING, CHEWING OF TOBACCO PRODUCTS, OR CELL PHONE USE IN THE FLAG LINE!

4. Cemeteries are hallowed ground. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Show our respect to ALL who are in attendance.

5. If riding/driving a motorcycle on Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, which is located within a Military Installation, you will need to wear closed toe shoes, long sleeve shirt, gloves, DOT approved helmet, eye protection, long pants, and boots/shoes that cover the ankle.

***Safety Notice***
Before volunteering and/or attending any San Antonio Patriot Guard Riders missions we encourage you to review all safety information below. Included are some potential safety concerns to be aware of, however this does not include the full scope of all potential hazards. Anyone attending any San Antonio Patriot Guard Riders mission understands that they do so at their own risk. Neither the Patriot Guard Riders Organization nor its representatives are liable for any damages incurred on any PGR mission or event.
Funeral Processions/Escorts
EVERY RIDER IS SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for their own safety at all times while riding in a funeral procession.

At NO TIME are any riders authorized to block any intersection or otherwise block or impede traffic laws in any way. Only Law Enforcement officials are authorized to block and/or impeded the lawful flow of traffic.

If you choose to fly a flag on your bike you are SOLELY RESPONSIBLE for ensuring it is secured and not a danger to any other rider or traffic.


Warm Regards,
Bob “Pizza Man” Johnson
Deputy State Captain
San Antonio Patriot Guard
Honor, Dignity, Respect
Cell: (562) 413-2223
bobtxpgr@gmail.com