!!! UPDATE !!! - RESENDING FOR CORRECTED MAP LINK ON STAGING AREA - SEE CORRECTED LINK BELOW FOR LEGACYThe family of HM3 Michael V. De Leon, age 30, has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to accompany their Hero to the airport as he is flown home to his family in Texas.
HM3 De Leon was serving as a Corpsman assigned to a US Marine unit at MCAGCC in Twentynine Palms when he sadly passed away.
Michael was born in San Antonio, Texas and lived his early years in Harlingen, Texas. His family moved just before Middle School to Houston and that's where he attended Middle School and High School. Michael loved cars, especially Subaru's, his first car was a Subaru. He even joined a Subaru car club. He loved working on cars and soon trained to become a mechanic. He did this for a few years but had always had in the back of his mind a goal to join the military. He came from a military family, grandparents, uncles, many family members served.
Michael enlisted in the US Navy in 2013 with the goal of becoming a Hospital Corpsman and saving lives, his hope was to be deployed into a combat zone where his skills could make the most difference, he never made that deployment. He was working in Rehab and Physical Therapy on the base at 29 Palms when he passed away.
Michael also rode a Harley and belonged to a Motorcycle Ministry. He would ride with this group helping Veterans wherever they were needed. He really loved doing this, and being in the military himself, he could really relate to the Vets. People loved Michael and he loved them, even though he had a bit of a sarcastic sense of humor that some didn't understand, once they got to know him he made them laugh with his stories all day long.
Michael is survived by his father JD, his mother Sandra, his brother Jonathan, and many aunts, uncles, cousins, and his brothers and sisters of the Corps.
NOTE: There will be dog tags available for this mission.
NOTE: The PGR in Harlingen, TX is standing by prepared to receive this Hero and accompany him to the funeral home in his home town. Thank you to our TX brothers & sisters.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this American Hero. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the funeral home to the airport. Please see the time table if you would like to participate.
Time Table for Monday, September 9, 2019:0430 – Stage at Legacy Funeral & Cremation Care, 7043 University Avenue, La Mesa, CA 91942
https://goo.gl/maps/dBns65TEf6zcT2ds50445 – Mission Briefing
0505 – Flag Line for dignified transfer to the escort vehicle.
0515 – KSU to San Diego International Airport, Southwest Cargo, 2361 Airlane Rd, San Diego, CA 92101
https://goo.gl/maps/ysDGaDN4RAjkcpgPA0545 – (Est) Arrival at Southwest Cargo
0600 – (Est) Flag Line for dignified transfer of Hero to Southwest Airline personal.
R/C Cal Braley
So Cal PGR - Ride Captainbraley56@gmail.com
619-805-6541
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. 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.
