The family of James Oliver Cornforth 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.
James, a longtime resident of Pomona, was born on 13 June 1915 in Seward, Oklahoma.
James left college when he was in his twenty’s moving West in 1935 where he started working in orange groves.
James was in the U.S. Army from August 1941 to September 1945. In the early part of 1942 after basic and training in Kentucky and New Jersey, he was on a ship on his way to a military camp in Ireland. About thirty days into combat, James, an Army Private at the time, and his unit were captured by Nazi German forces in northern Africa as the Allied troops were attempting to get across to Italy. James ended up at camp Stalag 3B along with 4,000 other POW’s in what was then Danzig, Poland. James went from 250 pounds to weighing 150 pounds by the time he was liberated in June 1945. James’ awards/citations included the Purple Heart.
By 1948 while living in Pomona James took a job with the Department of Corrections in Chino and work there until he retired after thirty years at the age of sixty-three.
Some of James favorite pastimes was traveling, reading the Bible and watching TV rooting for Oklahoma State or his Angels, which he followed since the team was created in 1961.
James is preceded in death by his wife Ethel of sixty-eight years and daughter Jenny. He leaves behind a daughter Janell and many nieces and nephews.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran.
Time Table for Tuesday 31 October 2017 1245 – Stage at Riverside National Cemetery, (Staging Area #7 for family, north of Staging Area #8 for PGR) 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518
http://goo.gl/maps/v0K0E1315 – Mission Briefing
1330 – KSU to assigned Shelter for Flag line, Service and Military Honors
RC: Steve “Mac” McGovern
SoCalPGR Ride Captain
619-920-1490
irishmcgovern@yahoo.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 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.
