The family and the US Army have invited the Patriot Guard Riders to be there for a Hero's return and his funeral, we would be very honored to do so.
SSG David "Rosie" Rosenkrantz, 27 yrs of age, was serving with the US Army in Holland as part of the 82nd Airborne, 3rd Battalion, 504 Parachute Infantry Regiment, H Company. His unit was involved in a battle that the 1977 film "A Bridge Too Far" was based on. SSG Rosenkrantz was killed in that battle and was listed as MIA at the time. Shortly thereafter on September 28, 1944 he was declared Killed In Action.
He had seen a lot of action all over Europe for 2 years previous to this battle, he and 1 other soldier had captured 200 Italian soldiers from Mussolini's Army, the Italian Socialist Republic. He was awarded the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart for his exemplary service.
Rosie was an artist who loved to sketch portraits and would do this in his spare time between battles while in camp, always trying to carry paper and pencils. It helped him to take his mind off the war. He also wrote many letters home to family which they cherished over the years even though they would never find closure until now that SSG Rosekrantz has been identified with the help of the Dutch people, and is now coming home, 73 years later.
We were honored to be there as he arrived back on US soil, we will now be honored to accompany this Hero to his final resting place.
Rosie is survived by a nephew and his wife and their son.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this American Hero. For those interested, and all are welcome, we will be accompanying the hero and his family from the mortuary to the cemetery, a distance of approximately 58 miles. 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, 20 JUL 180845- Stage at Risher Mortuary, 1316 W. Whittier Blvd, Montebello, CA 90640
https://goo.gl/maps/jLR4e9j7S7q0900- Mission Briefing
0915- Flag line as Hero is transferred to coach.
0930- KSU to Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd, Riverside, CA 92518
https://goo.gl/maps/WL2jd6ti5fP21100- ETA RNC, staging area #9
1200- KSU to assigned shelter for Flag Line, Service, and Military Honors.
R/C Curt "Stitch" Bancroft
SoCal PGR Ride Captaincbptg1@gmail.com
818-406-0408
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.
