The family of Albert Martinez Ortiz, USA, has requested the Patriot Guard Riders to help in honoring their late patriarch. It shall be our honor to do so.
SSgt Ortiz, 86, died following months of health issues.
He resided with his son and daughter-in-law in Wrightwood for the last 3 years but he was a native of Hacienda Heights, CA and attended Theodore Roosevelt HS in LA till 3 months prior to graduation when he decided to enlist in the Army in 1949. He left active duty in 1952.
Our hero was assigned to the 187th Reg and the 11th Div where he became a paratrooper following training in Ft. Ord, Ft. Campbell and Japan.
The Korean Conflict saw Ortiz answering the call of bravery where he was awarded the Purple Heart and 3 Bronze Stars. He was traumatized severely, now known as PTSD, as he was wounded and took refuge in a ditch while the bodies of his fellow soldiers were around him. According to his daughter-in-law most of his conversations, no matter what the subject was, steered itself to the war. He couldn’t surrender the sights, smells, and sounds. This caused a rift and he became estranged from his immediate family.
Though he was a high school dropout he was of above average intelligence and studied relentlessly various religions and could speak 7 languages.
His occupation as a truck driver for a paper mill for 42 years until his retirement at age 70 would show that he was basically a simple man.
On one of his trips to visit a doctor in Loma Linda, Deborah related how the Patriot Guard Riders were accompanying a fallen fireman from out of state, possibly on I-15. There was a fire truck in the convoy and fire trucks took position on freeway overpasses. Our hero remarked, “What a neat parade. What a nice way to leave.” He asked Deborah to pull over (on the freeway) and show respect to the fallen.
After our hero died she was agonizing on how to organize his funeral. She woke up one night with the epiphany that the PGR (she actually didn’t know our name) should accompany him to RNC. She talked to the funeral home and found out who we were.
SSgt Albert Ortiz was a patriotic American who enjoyed watching patriotic parades at curbside. On November 14 he will have one of his own. RIP
Our hero is survived by one sister, 4 children, and many grand and great-grand children. He was preceded in death by his wife Barbara, daughter Juanita, sister Carmen, brother Freddie and his parents Isaac and Juana Ortiz.
NOTE: This mission posting is to facilitate your voluntary participation in honoring this Military Veteran. Please see the time table if you would like to participate.
TIME TABLE FOR TUESDAY, 14 NOV 17:1145 Stage at Desert View Funeral Home, 11478 Amargosa Rd, Victorville, CA
https://goo.gl/maps/cDi2XEoYwM821200 Briefing
1210 Flag line for transfer to coach
1230 Accompany Alberto Ortiz and family to Riverside National Cemetery, 22495 Van Buren Blvd., Riverside, CA 92518
https://goo.gl/maps/udDhM5kES7R2 (PGR please stage just North of Staging area #8)
1415 Flag Line, service and Military Honors
R/C Brian Zane, SpydermanSoCal PGR Ride Captainbrianzane.bz@google.com
760-953-9915
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 ride/drive safely.
