The family of Elmer Harold Vierkant, a veteran of the United States Marine Corps, has invited the Patriot Guard Riders to be present to honor this Hero for his service to his country. It will be our privilege to do so.
Elmer was only 17 years old when he joined the Marine Corps. He served from September 4, 1946 to August 10, 1948 and was stationed at San Diego’s Camp Elliot, what is now known as MCAS Miramar. At the time the Camp Elliott area was used as a rifle range for training Marine recruits. Elmer was a Corporal at the time of his discharge.
Elmer was a very young man when he began his military career. Right out of boot camp he boarded a plane bound for Seattle. Just before takeoff a superior asked if anyone aboard possessed typing skills. Elmer could type, so he was removed from the plane to attend those duties. Elmer did not know at the time how this would change his life’s course. He later learned that the plane had crashed killing all on board. It was then that Elmer decided he wanted to work helping the dead, and help he did. He earned his Associate’s Degree from the California College of Mortuary Science in Los Angeles then moved to San Diego where he would dedicate 60 years of his life to the art of Undertaking.
Elmer has been burying people in El Cajon since 1953. El Cajon was also where he raised his family. A long time employee of El Cajon Mortuary he met many people over the years and had a special relationship with the local Native Americans.
Elmer served his community in many ways. He was a longtime member of the El Cajon 20-30 Service Club, El Cajon Elks Lodge 1812 and the El Cajon Sister City Committee. He served on the board of directors for the El Cajon Chamber of Commerce and the El Cajon Boys Club, was parade president of the Mother Goose Parade, president of the El Cajon Valley Lions Club, president of the San Diego County Embalmers Association and president of San Diego County Funeral Directors Association. Twice and he was honorary Grand Marshal of the Descanso Parade and Fair.
Elmer was friends with fellow Elks Lodge member and longtime PGR member, Ken “Santa” Brassell.
Elmer is survived by his four daughters, seven grandchildren, five great-grandchildren and a sister. He preceded his wife Mary in death by just 2 months. It is fitting that this couple who were married 66 years should be laid to rest on the same day.
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 mortuary 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 Friday, 3 OCT 2014:1115 – Stage at Vacant Office Building across the street from Mortuary, 671 S. Mollison Ave., El Cajon, CA 92020
https://goo.gl/maps/MdIZE 1130 – Mission Briefing
1145 – Flag Line for dignified transfer to coach
1200 – KSU for Miramar National Cemetery, 5795 Nobel Dr., San Diego, CA 92122
https://goo.gl/maps/pnrXk 1300 – Flag Line and Funeral Service with Full Military Honors
R/C Ryan WynnSoCal PGR Ride Captain
ryan92020@gmail.com
619-699-9196
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 condolences for the family to this link:
https://www.patriotguard.org/showthread.php?395296
