The Patriot Guard has been asked by the family of Michael Thomas Young to take part in Honoring this American Hero and our brother. It will be our privilege to do so..
Mike was born on January 23, 1949 in Chelsea, Massachusetts to Robert and Florence Young.
Mike loved the life he had, growing up as a child, working hard and playing hard. Mike graduated in 1967 from Radford High School (Oahu, HI)
After graduating High School in 1967 Mike decided to see the world so he joined the U.S. Navy. Mike served in the Navy from 1967 – 1971 aboard the USS Goldsborough DDG 20 & USS Fletcher DD 445. While in the Navy Mike received the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Ribbon w/ Device, & Meritorious Unit Commendation. Mike also received a citation for passing and excelling on being on "NASA Recovery Team for Apollo" space capsules when they would come back from orbiting the Earth. Mike received his Honorable Discharge from the Navy on Sept. 1, 1971 as a BT 2 ( Boiler Tender 2nd Class)
During Mikes enlistment he was on liberty one day in Volcano National Park in Hawaii, when a bus went out of control and crashed.
It was a bus full of vacationers, so being the kind of man Mike was, he headed on in to see if he could help. After surmising what needed to be done, Mike jumped into action and rendered aid to the injured until help could arrive. Sadly to say 4 people perished, but a lot of people were saved thanks to the quick thinking of Mike and his Navy training.
After his time in the Navy Mike resided in San Diego, Ca. from 1973 – 1988 where he worked at Van Camp Seafood Cannery, Home Federal Savings, and California First Bank. Mike resided in Chino Hills, Ca. from 1988 – 2017 where he worked as a high rise building engineer in downtown Los Angeles, Little Tokyo. His hobbies included skeet & trap shooting and District 32 baseball umpiring, and was involved in Mira Mesa Little League.
Mike retired in 2003 and enjoyed spending time with his family. His patriotism and passion of motorcycle riding led him to become heavily involved with the SoCal Patriot Guard Riders. He became a Ride Captain for the SoCal PGR later on and did an outstanding job in that role for several years until he became unable due to health. Mike was also a member of HOG (Harley Owners Group) Pomona Valley Chapter, American Legion 835 and ABATE.
Michael Thomas Young, age 68 entered eternal rest on July 19, 2017 with his family by his side. He is preceded in death by parents Robert James Young and Florence Alberta Cummings Young and sister Kathleen Mary Young. He is survived, and dearly missed by wife Sheila Young , sons Eric Young & David Young , daughter Colleen Young Hernandez, brother Robert Young, and eight 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 family home 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 11 August 2017:
11:30 - Stage at 7 Eleven, 4092 Chino Hills Pkwy., Chino Hills, CA 91709
https://goo.gl/maps/gcKYgbo26oC211:45 - Mission Briefing
12:00 - KSU to family home
13:15 - Flag line as hero is brought out of home and secured to travel vehicle and depart to Riverside National Cemetery,22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, Ca. 92518
https://goo.gl/maps/xisNxJad8a1214:15 - ETA at Riverside National Cemetery, Family staging #3 (PGR staging #8)
14:30 - KSU to assigned shelter for Flag Line, Service, and Military Honors
RC; Angel Guaderrama RC; Mike "Joker" Courtright
SoCal PGR Ride Captain SoCal PGR Ride Captainguad45@yahoo.com mokynanopo@sbcglobal.net
909-229-1809 714-321-3356
"Thank a Soldier" " Standing for those, who stood for us"
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.
