The family of James Tatum has requested the Patriot Guard to pay honors to this WWII Hero, it will be our Honor to do so.
This request came in thru Bob and Barbara Johnson two of our PGR family who have now relocated to Texas.
Many of us had the honor of meeting Doris at a Celebration for Veterans last year.
Jim survived many battles during WWII. He was assigned to the 55th Battalion Seabees.
In the North, Central, South and Southwest Pacific areas, the Seabees built 111 major airstrips, 441 piers, 2,558 ammunition magazines, 700 square blocks of warehouses, hospitals to serve 70,000 patients, tanks for the storage of 100,000,000 gallons of gasoline, and housing for 1,500,000 men. In construction and fighting operations, the Pacific Seabees suffered more than 200 combat deaths and earned more than 2,000 Purple Hearts. They served on four continents and on more than 300 islands.
Jim was the "last surviving member of the 55th Battalion Seabees". He truly was one of the "Greatest Generation" and carried that distinction proudly.
Jim and his lovely wife Doris would have celebrated their 70th wedding Anniversary one day after his death.
Jim is survived by his wife of 70 yrs. Doris.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran.
Time Table for Friday 22 July 2016: 1015 - Stage Rose Hills Memorial Park, Gate 17 Hillside Chapel, 3888 Workman Mill Road, Whittier, Calif. 90601 (Follow signs to Chapel)
https://goo.gl/maps/fjAGLc2sQzN2 1030 - Mission Briefing
1045 - PGR will form up with Honor Team (Seabees) and will go inside Chapel and form a Flag Line.
1100 - Services will begin for our Hero
R/C Mike "Joker" Courtright
SoCal- Ride Captainmokynanapo@sbcglobal.net
714-321-3356
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 post your condolences at the National link:
https://www.patriotguard.org/showthread.php?420470
