SSgt Jonathan Turner, 41, USMC(Ret) just recently passed away from combat related issues.
The PGR will attend him at his service but when we found out that no family would be there and that he would be shipped to his mother in Georgia we decided that was not proper for a War Hero. The PGR will take this Hero and his Flag to his mother in Georgia. We will do that by means of a Pony Express of iron horses handing him with dignified transfer to the following states who have stepped up to accomplish this:
Arizona, New Mexico, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Tennessee, Mississippi, Alabama and Georgia.
Here is a little info about this Hero:
SSgt Turner enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1998 and served 17 years until he was medically retired in 2014. He was most recently attached to the 11th Marines out of Camp Pendleton, and served 7 deployments in Irag and Afghanistan. He was medically retired due to PTSD from all his time spent in combat.
SSgt Turner's family is not local to California so his Marine family have made all arrangements for his services. This is a Marine family who has known SSgt Turner for many many years, and served with him. They describe him as a great leader who inspired his Marine brothers both in the Corps and in daily life. You were his friend if you knew him for 5 minutes or 5 years. He would give you the shirt off his back. Jonathan, or 'Turner' as he was known to his friends, loved riding his motorcycle so having the PGR there for his service is very meaningful.
On Thursday 6 August 2015 the CA Patriot Guard will stage at the TA Ontario West 4265 East Guasti Road Ontario, CA, 91761. Following a mission briefing the patriot guard will begin transporting S/Sgt Turner to the first Handoff location at the Loves Truck stop 14750 Arizona 95, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86404. We will have 2 (25 min) stops for gas and to refresh. Our total travel time to AZ will be 4 hours and 15 minutes (5 hrs/5 min with rest stops)
Here is the route for So Calif PGR:
Start at the TA west 4265 East Guasti Road Ontario, CA, 91761. Ride 124 miles to
Ludlow Chevron 25635 Crucero Rd, Ludlow, CA 92338. Then ride 68 miles to
Hi Sahara Oasis 31251 Goffs Rd., Essex, CA. ride 55 miles to arrive at
Loves Truckstop 14750 Arizona 95, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86404
for Hand Off to John Moffitt of the AZ PGR.
Following our hand off I will be going to Needles CA and stay over night at the Best Western 2371 West Broadway, Needles CA 92363. Ph: 760-326-4552
https://goo.gl/maps/ie4oE It has a swimming pool and a Free hot breakfast included.
I have reserved and paid for 2 rooms (each with 2 beds) for those that wish to stay the night to return to SoCal on Friday 07 August 2015 (after breakfast).
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 flag to the Arizona PGR. Please see the time table if you would like to participate. For those who would like to join up at our stops you are welcome, we will meet you there.
IMPORTANT NOTE: The weather is predicted to be very hot please stay hydrated and don't forget to eat, it can make a difference with your ability to withstand the heat. Please police yourself with regard to heat, if your health does not do well with heat please do not attempt this ride. SECOND IMPORTANT NOTE: We welcome cages and would ideally like to have someone with a truck as a chase vehicle just in case.
Time table for Thursday, 06 AUG 15: 0830 - Stage at the TA West, 4265 East Guasti Road Ontario, CA, 91761
https://goo.gl/maps/6meha0845 - Mission briefing
0900 - KSU to Ludlow Chevron 25635 Crucero Rd, Ludlow, CA 92338.
https://goo.gl/maps/zjwQB 1050 - ETA at Ludlow Chevron
1115 - KSU to Hi Sahara Oasis 31251 Goffs Rd., Essex, CA
https://goo.gl/maps/ZfKLZ 1215 - ETA at Hi Sahara Oasis
1240 - KSU to Loves Truckstop 14750 Arizona 95, Lake Havasu City, AZ 86404
https://goo.gl/maps/DgJIL 1340 - ETA at Loves Truckstop for dignified hand off to John Moffitt of the AZ PGR
R/C Craig H Donor
GySgt USMC (ret)
Cell 909 208 7703
pgrgunny-001@yahoo.com
PGR SoCal State Captain
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 comments and condolences at the National link:
https://www.patriotguard.org/showthread.php?406868
