The family of MSgt David Ernest Heflebower, 69, USAF (Ret), requests the Patriot Guard Riders in honoring their beloved husband, father, and grandfather at Riverside National Cemetery. It would be an honor to serve them.
He was born in the town of Dinuba, CA on August 9, 1948 which is about half hour southeast of Fresno. He was born serve his country and his God. At a young age he would “stand on top of the 46 oz juice cans to preach to the barnyard animals” according to his wife of 48 years Penny.
He grew up in a strict Mennonite family learning to choose his words carefully. From the farmlands of the San Joaquin Valley of central California, to his teen years in Indio and city life, the transition was difficult.It was here the the calling of the Lord entered his heart which would make a lifetime impact on him and others. But first came the military.
Our hero attained the rank of MSgt and loaded bombs in aircraft during the Vietnam war. One of his assigned posts was DaNang according to his wife and the destroyed barracks he witnessed. He never talked about the war with his family and only did when he was in the company of male friends. His wife would eavesdrop however. She said he would flail around while sleeping bringing evidence that he had PTSD, but this was never diagnosed. He entered the military in 1968 and was stationed in various states and countries and after 21 years 4 months he retired from the military.
After the military he got a job with Roadway Trucking as a dock worker but a back injury on the docks ended this career. Unable to secure employment and having to wait 4-5 years to get disability he resorted to collecting aluminum cans on the highway and dumpster diving behind the school where his wife worked.
But his passion to serve the Lord and the needy soon engulfed him. Along the way a history of strokes would enter his life before ending his life on Feb 23 at his home in Apple Valley. He started the Victor Valley Rescue Mission in 1998 feeding the homeless in food and word. (
http://www.vvdailypress.com/news/20180312/victor-valley-rescue-mission-founder-left-lasting-legacy-of-service).
He was loved by his family and friends including wife Penny, son Scott, daughter Cynthia, 5 grandchildren and his sister Elaine.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. At this time no accompaniment is planned from the family home.
TIME TABLE FOR MONDAY, 19 MARCH 2018:0930 Stage at Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd. Riverside, CA 92518
https://goo.gl/maps/XKzLWN4zoVs Family will stage at area 1, PGR north of 8
0945 Briefing
1000 KSU to assigned shelter for Flag Line, Services and Military Honors.
R/C Brian “Spyderman” Zane
So Cal PGR Ride Captain760-953-9915
brianzane.bz@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.
