The family of MGySgt Lofton Doyle has invited the Patriot Guard Riders (PGR) to attend the Military Honors of their loved one as he makes his final journey. It will be our honor to do so.
Lofton "Sonny Boy" Doyle was born on 30 October 1935 in Oakdale, Louisiana. He went from house to house being raised by many, but considered his aunt Catherine his mother figure. Sonny was a wild one and was in and out of reform school until presented with an ultimatum by the courts. It was incarceration or the military.
At age seventeen Sonny joined the Marine Corps. From that point on he was exposed to a world unknown to him and he took to the Marines like a fish to water. He viewed the Marine Corps as his family and it changed, if not saved his life.
Sonny enlisted in the Marine Corps on 03 March 1953 and served until 01 December 1984. Sonny served in Korea and Vietnam. Some the awards/citations that Lofton received included Rifle Expert Badge(2nd Award), Pistol Expert (12th Award), Combat Action Ribbon, Good Conduct Medal w/9stars, National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, United Nations Medal, Korean Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/4stars, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Cross of Gallantry Unit Citation and Certificate of Commendation.
Sonny loved target shooting, reloading and playing chess.
Sonny is survived by his wife Harue, and daughter Doris, sons Bob and Daniel. He is also survived by five 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 church 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.
Time Table for Tuesday 20 December 2016 1200 – Stage at Arlington Mortuary, 9645 Magnolia Ave., Riverside, CA 92503
https://goo.gl/maps/5m5NV1230 – Mission Briefing
1245 – Flag line as our Hero is moved to the coach.
1300 – KSU to Riverside National Cemetery, (Staging Area #1 for family, north of Staging Area #8 for PGR) 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518
http://goo.gl/maps/v0K0E 1400 – KSU to assigned gravesite for Flag line, Service and Military Honors
RC: Ray “T-Bone” Gould
SoCalPGR Ride Captain
951-634-4112
ray@gouldgps.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 remember to post your condolences for the family to this link:
https://www.patriotguard.org/showthread.php?426395Please 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.
Gil Zaragoza
SoCal PGR Mission Ops
res0oprl1@verizon.net
951-440-2136
