At the request of the family, of 90-year-old Korea War veteran Thane Durst, the Patriot Guard Riders will have the honor and privilege to accompany Thane, to his final resting place at Riverside National Cemetery.
Thane enlisted in the U. S. Air Force at the age of 17. His first deployment was to Korea during the conflict, and he was there when the armistice was signed on July 27, 1953. Thane was an A1C and worked in sheet metal in both the Air Force and in civilian life. Thane was then deployed to Indochina (Vietnam) as part of 200 advisors to the French Military, French Moroccans and French Foreign Legion. Thane was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Korean Service Medal and United National Service Medal.
After his discharge he went to work for Los Angeles County as a sheet metal worker and advanced all the way to Director of Operations. He truly loved his work, other than anything to do with electricity, as he was color blind. He retired after 34 ½ years. Thane was into fitness, from his teenage years and throughout his life, even though he suffered from COPD, which may or may not have been service related. He loved riding motorcycles and participated in Desert Racing. He also loved traveling on motorcycles and in his RV. He was an avid water skier and competed in the San Pedro to Catalina races. Thane was also a Nascar fan and loved his dogs. Thane was never one to just sit still.
Thane is survived by his wife of 38 ½ years, Rosa, and a daughter Rozlyn and Son-in-law Pete, along with 2 Granddaughters. He was preceded in death by his brother Don, a U.S. Navy veteran.
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 Applebee's in Riverside to the cemetery, (approx. 11 miles). Please see the timetable if you would like to participate. If you prefer to meet the procession at the cemetery, please feel free to do so.
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 Ride Captain (RC). 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 remember that our mission is to stand tall and silent, and with honor and respect for our Heroes. No talking, smoking, or cell phone use during the flag line or service. Please keep radios off and engine noise to a minimum. Observe the 15 MPH speed limit. Remember, cemeteries are hallowed ground. Show respect to all who are there, not just the ones we are honoring
TIMETABLE FOR THURSDAY 23 OCT 2025:0915 - Stage in Applebee's parking lot at 3820 Mulberry St. Riverside, CA. 92507 (
https://maps.app.goo.gl/mDFXKSNqGpN4JHPz9)
0930 - Mission Briefing
0945 - Prepare for flag line as our Hero and family arrives.
1005 - KSU to Riverside National Cemetery (
https://maps.app.goo.gl/fRosJjdwGZJbzwJc9)
1030 - ETA RNC
1100 - KSU to assigned shelter for Flag Line and Military Honors.
Craig D. Lane, jip-c, USMC
So/cal PGR ride Capt.
bigredroadglide@yahoo.com
760-900-0388
