!!! THIS MISSION HAS BEEN MODIFIED TO INCLUDE AN ACCOMPANY FROM UPLAND TO RNC/SEE UPDATED TIME TABLE BELOW !!!The family of Col Charles Richard (Dick) Mitchell has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to participate in the services of their loved one. We will be honored to do so.
Col Mitchell began his distinguished military career as an 18 yr old private in the U.S. Army from 1944 through 1946. He was a combat infantry paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division in the Philippine Islands, later flying to Kadena Air Base in Okinawa “as a staging move for either invasion or occupation.” When flown to Atsugi Naval Air Base, Japan; “We were not certain if we were walking into a trap or not.” He later returned to military service as a chaplain in the U.S. Air Force Reserves, continuing for 30 years until his retirement at the rank of colonel in 1986. Col Mitchell was a recipient of the Bronze Star and the Legion of Merit.
In between his service with the Army and the Air Force, Dick obtained his Bachelor of Science degree from UC Berkeley, a Master of Divinity from San Francisco Theological Seminary, and completed a 7 yr post graduate program.
Col Mitchel became an ordained minister in 1955, he was an associate paster at Westminster Presbyterian Church in Ontario and was in private practice as a marriage and family counselor for 55 yrs until he retired this year.
Col Mitchell loved to travel, including visiting military sites in Europe. One of those trips was to visit the grave of an uncle while in France.
Col Mitchell is survived by his wife, Claudette, daughters Ann Martin, Jane Mitchell, Tracie Cornelison and Michelle Menes, as well as 8 grandchildren and 8 great-grandchildren.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the family home to his final resting place. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would rather go directly to the cemetery, we will meet you there.
UPDATED!!! Time table for Wednesday, 02 NOV 16:1215 - Staging at the intersection of Tanglewood Ave (Southbound) & Baseline Rd (just East of Upland Hills Country Club) NOTE: This is outside a gated community we will join the procession as it comes out the gate.
https://goo.gl/maps/VYwCqPAv32m1245 - Mission briefing
1300 - KSU to Riverside National Cemetery
1345 - Est Arrival at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518
https://goo.gl/maps/2bUZG5cnEEy 1415 - KSU to assigned shelter for Flag Line, Service, and Military Honors
R/C Jim "The Mayor" Frost
So Cal PGR Ride Captainjcfrost1127@gmail.com
You do not have to be a Veteran or a motorcycle rider to attend this mission. Everyone is 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.
Please post your condolences at the National link:
https://www.patriotguard.org/showthread.php?424251
