Our friends at Risher Mortuary have invited the Patriot Guard Riders to attend the military honors and funeral services of Joseph P. Londrigan, age 91. We are honored to fulfill their request.
Joseph proudly served his country in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War, until his honorable discharge as a Sergeant. He earned the Korean Service Medal w/1 Star, United States National Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, and the Koren Presidential Unit Citation.
Joseph has a unique story. He has no living family members; his mom passed away while he was serving his country during the Korean War. While on his tour, he met a lady in Vietnam and fell in love and was going to bring her to the states so that they can start their life together. Sadly, she fell ill and passed away. He came back to the states and went to school for his master's degree and became a work horse and dedicated all his energy to his chosen career as a schoolteacher. He also wanted to dedicate his time to helping make Veterans have a better life. He joined the DAV Chapter 22 of Alhambra/Montebello and was voted in as a Member of the Board.
It is one of his Military brothers, Alfred Areyan, who took care of Joseph; and then Alfred's sister, Paula, stepped in as his nonpaid caregiver until he passed. Since there was no family, Alfred and Paula stepped up and went to court and obtained custody of Joseph's remains so that they can honor his request and bury his ashes at The National Cemetery in West Los Angeles.
NOTE: We are requesting numerous bikes to attend this mission in order to have a missing man formation for the accompaniment. There will be a graveside service, with ashes, at Los Angeles National Cemetery. Our Hero's ashes will be transported in a coach courtesy of his family at Risher Mortuary.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this military veteran. For those interested, and all PGR members are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the church to the cemetery, approximately three miles. Please see the timetable if you would like to participate.
TIMETABLE FOR TUESDAY, 7 APRIL 20250815 - Stage at Risher Mortuary, 1316 Whittier Blvd., Montebello, CA 90640
https://maps.app.goo.gl/AmLFpk3z75w5s2RB70830 - Mission Briefing
0845 - Flagline as Hero is loaded into awaiting coach
0900 - KSU to Los Angeles National Cemetery, 950 S. Sepulveda Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90049
https://maps.app.goo.gl/7HXAiUrwjX4RTnhR81030 - ETA at Los Angeles National Cemetery
1100 - Services begin for this National Hero
Mike “Joker” Courtright
SoCal PGR Ride CaptainPatriot Guard Ride Captain, #202572
mokynanapo@sbcglobal.net
(714) 321-3356
"Standing For Those Who Stood For Us
Only two defining forces offered to die for you:
Jesus Christ, and the American Soldier. One died for your soul, the other died for your freedom"
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.
