The family of SrA Robert Anthony Holmes Jr., age 24, and the US Air Force have invited the Patriot Guard Riders to accompany their Hero from the funeral home to the airport as he makes his final journey to his home state of Michigan. We are honored to do so.
SrA Robert A. Holmes Jr. was serving with the US Air Force at Edwards AFB when he became ill and sadly passed away on January 13, 2021.
Holmes was assigned to the 416th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Weapons Section, where he worked as a weapons load crew team member on a fleet of 25 F-16 Fighting Falcons.
“There’s no question that Holmes touched the lives of everyone in here, that’s evidenced by you all being here, so just remember that he was an Airman that valued his friends and family,” said Maj. Robert Booth, 412th Aircraft Maintenance Squadron Commander at the memorial held on base recently.
Holmes graduated from Basic Military Training at Lackland AFB, Texas, in June 2017, and the Aircraft Armament Systems Course at Sheppard AFB, Texas, in November 2017. He then joined Team Edwards in December of that same year.
His past awards and decorations include earning the Weapons Warrior Award from the Aircraft Armament Systems Course, weapons Journeyman, Missile Badge, the Air Force Training Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal. Holmes was also awarded Air Force Achievement Medal posthumously.
“While we all remember him in our own ways, we will all remember him forever,” Booth said. “He sticks out as just a wonderful person. He was an Airman who was dedicated to his family, his friends and his country.”
SrA Holmes is survived by many family members and friends who will forever miss him and never forget him. The PGR is honored to be present both at his departure in California as he returns home and also at his arrival and funeral in his home state of Michigan.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this American Hero. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the mortuary to the airport, approx 76 miles. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the airport, we will meet you there.
Time Table for Sunday, 07 FEB 2021:1700 - Stage at Halley-Olsen-Murphy Funerals & Cremations, 44831 N Cedar Ave., Lancaster, CA 93534
https://goo.gl/maps/p8G9NJsyouKeYzb591715 - Mission briefing
1730 - Flag Line as Hero is moved from building to coach
1745 - KSU for American Airlines Cargo, 5950 Avion Dr., Los Angeles, CA 90045
https://goo.gl/maps/MMF14urJpLykBGcs5 (Approx 76 miles)
1930 - Est arrival at AA Cargo
1940 - Flag Line for Hero as he is moved from coach to facility
R/C David Corbin
SoCal PGR Ride CaptainU.S. Coast Guard Veteran(74-78)
Lancaster/Palmdale area
ALR area 6 Assistant VP
ALR Post 311 Ride Captain
American Legion Post 311 E-Board member
Mobile Vietnam Memorial Wall-AV...Ride Captain.
cell: 661-965-1719
Semper Paratus
You have to go out...but you do not have to come back..
This mission involves an aircraft arrival. Arrival times can change at the last minute so please check this thread for any last minute changes
before leaving.
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. All PGR members are welcome. We encourage those who do not ride to attend in your car. If this will be your first mission go to the initial staging area and you will be briefed there by the R/C (Ride Captain). Dress for motorcycle riding or dress casually if you are driving a cage (car). Please feel free to attend any portion of this mission you can. Please ride/drive safely.
