The family of CMSgt Richard Michael Mills, age 80, has invited the PGR to accompany him to his final resting place and honor him with a Flag Line, we will be honored to do so.
Richard M. Mills died peacefully in his sleep on Saturday, June 29th at his home in Apple Valley, CA. He was 80 years old.
Richard enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in 1957, serving for the next 29 years with extended tours in Alaska, Turkey, Vietnam, Great Britain, and West Germany. During his Air Force career, Richard served his country in a variety of ways including flight control and management, family services counseling, and his final assignment in military intelligence with the 15th Air Force at March AFB in Riverside, CA. Richard was a veteran of the Vietnam War, where he earned the Bronze Star for his efforts. During his Air Force career, Chief Mills was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and the Air Force Commendation Medal with two Oak Leaf Clusters before he retired and was honorably discharged in 1986.
After retiring from the Air Force as a Chief Master Sergeant in 1986, Richard worked for the Northrop Grumman Corporation as a Systems Manager for over 20 years, and was most proud of his work on the B-2 Stealth Bomber program.
Richard had a passion for stamp and coin collecting. He also loved to garden, travel, and enjoyed playing golf with the Sun City Hackers. He was a founding member of the Sun City Cruisers Car Club, and was active in club events and their philanthropy efforts for local charities. He was known for his quick wit, his infectious smile, and his kind and caring spirit.
CMSgt Mills is survived by three sons: Stephen Mills, Christopher Mills and Matthew Mills. He also leaves behind seven grandchildren and two great-grandchildren. He was preceded in death by his wife of 48 years, Rosita F. Mills, who will be interred with him at Riverside National Cemetery, and his son Richard M. Mills, Jr.
Note: Our Hero was a friend and neighbor of the RC for this mission.
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 Hero's community to his final resting place, a distance of approx 60 miles. We will accompany a bus the family has chartered. 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.
For those not able to make the beginning of the mission, feel free to form a flag line at the entrance to RNC and attend honors at the shelter.
Time Table for Friday, 09 August, 2019:0800 - Stage at Sun City Aspen Clubhouse, 10741 Lakeshore Dr., Apple Valley, CA 92308
https://goo.gl/maps/fGZytV2ijDH8xfSb80815 - Mission briefing
0830 - Flag Line for transfer of Hero to family vehicle
0845 - KSU to Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518
https://goo.gl/maps/kYiefAbsxPSiL1Gq7 (PGR to staging area #8)
1015 - Estimated arrival time at RNC
1045 - KSU to assigned shelter for Flag Line, Service, and Military Honors
R/C Billy (Billyjean) Morgan
SoCal PGR Ride CaptainUS Army, Vietnam 69-70
949-939-7282
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.
